Mushrooms

Llyn y Parc – Lost in the Woods

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The bustling village of Betws y Coed is surrounded by forests, so during a visit to North Wales, we decided we would explore them with the aim of reaching Llyn y Parc in the Gwydir Forest.  We left the car at the Pont-y-Pair car park (LL26 0LS) and after the usual faffing around, turned right out of the car park.  A quick stroll led us to a road on the right, at the bottom of which, the forest awaited.  As we made our way into the trees, we found ourselves on a wide track bounded by pines.

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Beeston and Peckforton Castle – Two Towers

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Earlier this year, we took advantage of some dry sunny weather and went for a day out in Beeston.  The plan was to walk from Beeston Castle, around Peckforton Castle to get back to Beeston in time to explore the grounds.  A walk around these two towers was something I’d had in mind for a while so I already had a shiny new OS map of the area (any excuse).  There is parking outside Beeston Castle (postcode CW6 9TX ) and after going into the castle to pay the fee, and getting a quick bite to eat at the Sandstone Café we found the start of our route.

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Beacon Fell – Shortcut to Mushrooms

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This September, Rowan started school.  Despite being really exciting times for all of us, in all honesty, I also felt quite aggrieved.  No longer could I just take a day of work and go off exploring with him.  And our Friday adventure days are no more.  Rowan really loves school though, and has settled into his routine far quicker than I have.  Weekends suddenly seemed really full, with no time to do anything.  By the end of September, I had reached the stage where, no matter what, we WERE going to get outside and enjoy being in nature.  Beacon Fell, on the edge of the Forest of Bowland, near Preston was to be our destination.  Not only is there a sculpture trail to follow, but it is also a dark skies location and I wanted to have a look around before we make our way up for a night time excursion at some point in the future.

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