Sunset Walks

The last couple of evenings have been beautiful, and we have taken the opportunity to get out for a couple of walks to take in the setting sun, and for Sharon to do some more painting.
On Monday evening we walked to the top of Moel Famau, our favourite place to be, it was a lovely evening but rather a bit chilly on top and with no jacket or flask of coffee it was a bit cool, but Sharon did a lovely painting of the Jubilee Tower, seen here on her facebook page
And last evening we had a walk along the Offas Dyke path beneath Moel Gyw, this section of the path overlooks a beautiful valley called Plas-Y-Nant, the path is at high level at the head of the valley and is a stunning vantage point to watch what is going on below, lots of Wildlife including one of my favourite Birds of Prey, Buzzards, which we didnt see last night but we heard them calling loudly below in the woods. Again Sharon rattled off a few beautiful watercolours that will appear on her BLOG
A few photos from both evenings below

Firstly from Moel Famau on Monday evening
There are lots of Buzzards in the area, but they never fly low enough for better shots than this record shot



The path up to the top and the Jubilee Tower





Was looking good for a nice sunset over Snowdonia



The artist deep in concentration!!



Lovely sunset over the distant Carneddau



Looking back as we descend Moel Famau



a lovely moon out by the time we got home



And last nights pics from Moel Gyw

Sharon settling down to paint



and this was her view to paint, over to Moel Famau



She has really taken to Plein Air painting, and I get loads of pleasure sat watching and just enjoying the beautiful places we visit



The Heather and Gorse looked lovely in the light cast by the setting sun



Plas-Y-Nant, a stunning valley, we sat and listened to Buzzards calling below



Another beautiful sunset over Snowdonia

A lovely Moel Famau evening

Earlier this week Sharon and I had an evening wander up to our favourite place... Moel Famau, this being the highest point on the Clwydian range of mountains in North Wales, and we are so lucky to have it right on our doorstep, hence we spend a lot of time here. It is a very special place for many reasons, my younger sister loved coming here, and when she passed away a few years ago we buried her ashes here, and every time we come up here I cant help but remember all the good times, and how desperately I miss her. Although we walk here a lot every time we visit it is always different, whether it be the weather, the light or whatever, its just a beautiful place, and late in the evening when there is no one around and you have it all to yourselves its a magical place, a few pictures below from the evening.



I never tire of seeing this view, the main path to the Jubilee Tower at the top



The tower starts to glow as the sun sets





Nice clear views tonight, zoomed in across to the Runcorn bridge above, and below across the Wirral to Liverpool





Holly loves it just as much, her black coat shimmering in the red sunlight





The sun starts to set out over the Irish Sea off the North Wales coast



A stunning end to a lovely evening with Sharon x

In search of a Buzzard....

At last on a beautiful sunny summers morning, Sharon and I set off for a walk up onto Moel Gyw, which is at the southern end of the Clwydians. I have been after flight shots of a buzzard for a long time now, and this stunning area of countryside has a good population of buzzards..... normally!!! Everytime we have walked here they have been calling and  flying all over the place, I lug my 500mm lens up there, no sight nor sound of one...typical!! Nonetheless, it was a beautiful morning walk, with stunning views out over the Vale of Clwyd across Ruthin, and from the top of Moel Gyw looking back over Moel Famau.
In the afternoon we went back to the National Exhibition of Wildlife Art at Gordale Nursey on the Wirral, to look at the wildlife paintings on display, but also for Sharon to meet and chat to the artists there doing demonstrations, this is a real great place to visit, more details can be found HERE
Anyway I still haven't got my Buzzard flight photo, just have to keep plugging away on that one, but rather like the one posted below that I got in the garden a while back.

Gyrn

Looking towards the coast from the walk up to Moel Gyw

one of the locals!

The Arrans in the left distance, and Cadair Idris to the right

I just love this view into the Vale of Clwyd

Looking to Moel Famau from Moel Gyw

and looking further left to the coast

Ruthin from Moel Gyw

Sharon relaxing on a lovely summers morning on Moel Gyw

Moel Famau

Close up of Ruthin

Sharon chatting to Irene Brierton, a watercolour artist at the NEWA exhibition, she was painting Red Squirrels

Moel Famau to Moel Arthur

At last a day in the hills and Sharon and I remained dry...... no rain!!!! Quite a bit of sunshine, a fair bit of cloud, warm at times, chilly as well......... but as I said NO RAIN!!!!! This is our most favourite place, my sisters ashes are buried up here, Sharon has been walking up here for a long while, we met up here, I just love the place. Today we started at our usual place on the road up to the top car park, up onto Moel Famau and then along the ridge taking in Moel Dywyll, and then on to Moel Arthur and then back the same way. Some nice pics today despite the ever changing light, hopefully some may find their way to Sharon's Easel... enjoy!!

Foel Fenlli

The Jubilee Tower on Moel Famau

Moel Famau in the distance

Penycloddiau and Moel Arthur

Moel Arthur

Tryfan and The Glyders in the distance

And Snowdon

Moel Famau

Foel Fenlli