Present but never correct : Sheena Hendrie, Neville McMillan, Jim & Sandy Gregson, Linda Crossley, Iain McCallum, Keith Williams, Phil Ramsbottom, Derek Seddon, Margaret Williams, John & Virginia Castick, Chris Thickett.

(Sort of also there but almost unseen : Mary Stewart, Chris Ivory, Kate and Mat)

The man on the telly said it would rain. Consequently, we stood in the car park nervously watching the skies trying to remember where the waterproofs were packed and waiting for the big hand to reach half-past. After an energetic start, we jostled with the ruins of the Castell Dinas Bran on top of its hill. The sun shone and the wind blew. Then we climbed up past Trevor Rocks onto the escarpment of WYSIWYG Mountain which we traversed until we found a suitable place for elevenses. The sun shone but we were sheltered from the wind although not from Gregson's acid tongue.

Next, we descended a pleasant gorge containing an unpleasant shower from a waterfall until the party's interest fell upon a uncommonly large puff-ball. Well! It would, wouldn't it? From Plas Yn Eglwyseg, we walked northish then westish, up and along good tracks until we reached the 'Ponderosa' café at the top of the Horseshoe Pass. As we drank tea and eat dinner, the sun shone and the wind blew - hard, gusting and swirling, but not cold. Members got blown into every nook and cranny of the buildings and it was sometime before all were gathered together again.

Over Moel y Faen to Moel y Gamelin, the sun shone and the wind blew very hard. However, striking east from the top we found a reasonably sheltered stop in some comfortable heather before following good tracks down the ridge above and east of Llandynan. History then took over. First, with the Pillar of Eliseg and secondly with the Valle Crucis Abbey. The swats lingered over the monks' fish pond whilst the rest of us went to find the canal towpath back to Llangollen. A final brew in the sunshine and in the shelter of an Olde Welshe Café on the main street of Llangollen completed a satisfying day.

In the meantime, the original meet leader, Peter Walker, completed the Manchester Marathon with a gammy leg, finishing 770 out of 2,500. You missed a good walk, Pete!

Maps. Pathfinder 806 (SJ 24/34) Llangollen and Wrexham South, or Lanranger 117 Chester.

Chris Thickett has kindly agreed to lead the meet, so that Peter Walker can run in the Manchester Marathon.

Approaching the town by the A539 you will find the car park on the left, by the river, just before the town bridge. Ref 218421. Meet in time for a 9:30 am start. About 13/14 miles of easy walking but lots of interest. Suitable for wives, grannies etc. Can be lengthened by adding a loop to the north west.

Three climbing crags en route. Anyone climbing here is on the meet.

The route takes in Dinas Bran Castle (a great viewpoint) then the old quarries above Trevor, crag number 1, lots of routes. Continues along the edges of Eglwseg Mountain and takes in the undistinguished summit bump before descending through the woods to World's End (Yn Dor Manor House) and crag 2, Craig Y Forwen. Along the Offa's Dyke path beneath the overhangs of crag 3, Carig Arthur. Returning to Llangollen via Vale Crucis Abbey, the Pillar of Eliseg and the canal tow path.

Chris has ten pages of history notes form the internet for anyone interested. Route sampled by Jim and Sandy - verdict: a bit short and easy but very interesting.

P.S. Car break-ins do occur in the area. Leave nothing in your cars, open the glove compartment to prove it is empty, leave parcel shelves at home, etc.