It's a bit of a hill!

Thanks to Paula Hughes for alerting me to the news that outdoor activity company Go Ape is aiming to build something called Zip Wild at Moel Famau.

You can read more about Zip Wild on this page and you can offer your comments here. As Moel Famau is a beautiful place within an area of outstanding natural beauty (ANOB) there are concerns that such a development is not appropriate for the area. So, do voice your comments (for or against) on that website.

A local action group opposed to the Zip Wild plans can be contacted by emailing paulahughes [at] freenetname.co.uk should you wish to offer your support.

And you can always add a comment here.

A long shot but you never know….

A reader of the site has been in touch to say that she is trying to find a camera that she recently lost on Moel Famau. The lost camera is a Nikon D40, black, and will have photos of a ginger dog.

As the owner was helping someone to push their stuck van out of the snow, I think you’d agree that one good turn deserves another! Please get in touch if you know anything about the camera and I’ll forward your details on.

Thanks.

Over here where I live on Wirral we’re privileged to have Ness Botanical Gardens that are managed by Liverpool University. The Liverpool Daily Post recently reported that an archeologist named John Hill has recreated the world famous Stonehenge in the park grounds and used two visible landmarks. Mr Hill says:

We have carefully orientated the henge so it incorporates a number of important astronomical alignments.

We have also aligned the henge towards the direction of a special ‘notch’ on the horizon between the two Welsh mountains of Moel Famau and Moel Arthur.

But I did that by observing the midday sun, not through years of studying the stars.

The north Wales coastline and inland is easily viewed from West Wirral of course, although Ness is much closer to sea level and not as good as the better viewing points such as Caldy Hill.

If are visiting anywhere Ness then do pay a visit to Ness Gardens (no dogs allowed) as they really are well maintained and well stocked.

Many thanks to Nick Bourne from BBC North East Wales for alerting me to a Moel Famau story. By the way, you can follow Nick on twitter.

Derek Brockway (blog archive) the BBC Wales weatherman has been filming at a few north east Wales locations, including Moel Famau. His blog report includes a couple of photos clearly highlighting the varying weather conditions that can occur in the Clwydian Range (and in many other popular hill walking areas of course). Always respect the weather.

Ray, a reader of the site has a question that you might be able to answer:

Can anyone please tell me about the little green hut that stands all alone in a field next to Bryn Bowlio Caravan Park on the way to the Loggerheads car park? This littl place looks like it has a bit of history to it was it a shop? or a site office? On a tree by the gate is a sign that says Camp Alyn.

If you can offer any information then please leave a comment.

Further to my request for information about an annual car park pass for Moel Famau, I’ve got the answer …thanks to Ron, who actually asked the question in the first instance!

For a fee  £25 a year (no pro-rata available) you can get an annual car park pass that serves Moel Famau and Loggerheads car parks (and one other). Apparently they send you a plastic swipe card to use at the car park barriers and a paper disc (like a tax disc) with your car registration on. Replacement swipe cards are £5.

For further information contact the Forestry Commision  on 0845 6040 845.

Does anybody know if an annual car park pass is available? If so, how much is it and where can you get one from? Either leave a comment or get in touch.

Thanks for your help!

The BBC North East team have published an interesting article about what scientists have discovered by analysing the soil and heather taken from Moel Famau. Read the full article right here.

The BBC north east Wales team are today joining in the Prestatyn Walking Festival – I hope the weather is being kind to them as it’s raining here on the Wirral coast!

Nick Bourne, a member of the BBC team indicates that this long walk will take about 10 hours to complete over the Clwydian Range. The route is around 20 miles long from Moel Famau to Prestatyn and obviously will be over hilly ground.

You can read more about todays walk on this page and find out how you can contribute to a new walking guide with your photos and comments here.

I suspect that there’ll be a few tired legs this evening !

In these times of economic uncertainty apparently more of us are staying at home (rather than going abroad) and enjoying days out at parks and stately homes. Well, so says the National Trust who have seen a marked increase in visitors to their attractions. Their locations are enjoying a big rise in visitor numbers – though they acknowledge that the fine April weather helped somewhat.

How about you? Have you been enjoying what’s often on your doorstep? Walking outdoors is typically free and is a great way for a family to get some fresh air, exercise and to have chance to talk to one another. What’s your favourite place for a day out in the UK?