The car journey to Moel Gyw GW/NW-053 on Saturday 19th March 2011 was a straightforward one. From our parking spot for Carnedd y Filiast GW/NW-032 we just had to return down the A4212 to the A494 at Bala. We did return into Bala town centre for three of the party (everyone except me) to buy more water, although I did get myself a couple of cans of Red Bull to support concentration at the wheel.

We now had a longish drive North East along the A494 through Ruthin, until we reached the Clywd Gate Motel, where we parked in the large car park. Richard mentioned a long held but as yet unhatched plan to do the pair of Foel Fenlli GW/NW-051 and Moel Gyw GW/NW-053 from this position. Not today though, we crossed the road by the motel - quite dangerous on a blind bend - and ambled down the farm access track along the Offa's Dyke Path route.

       

Having crossed the stile into the field, I remarked that the slog up the grass was arguably as steep as anything encountered today. There was general agreement, but not despair as it only took a couple of minutes before we were on level ground contouring around the base of Moel Gyw. I mentioned to Edward that it would not be a good idea to attempt to access the summit directly up the very steep and gorse-clad slope!

Jimmy and Richard had strode out ahead again, but this was fine. I was now realising that Edward was a compatible walking partner for me with a similar pace and moreover that he seemed to run out of steam at exactly the same time as me! As we turned sharply to make the final climb to the summit, I suggested to Edward that now would be a good time to unleash his big packet of milk chocolate digestives! As I searched his rucksack for them, I noted that he still had loads of lunch items remaining. "Don't worry" he said, "I will eat all that on this summit"! We topped out, powered by three chocolate digestives each, to find Jimmy already set and QRV on 2m FM, and Richard nearly completing his own set up for 30m CW.

       

I continued walking to the cairn at the northern end of the small summit, but hopefully far enough away to avoid causing Richard any QRM. Plus, it is a spot I really like with a lovely view and very relaxing on such a nice day. 17m CW brought in 11 QSOs into 6 DXCCs: DJ, GW, HA, OM, UR and W. Eleven was also the number recorded by Jimmy on 2m FM.

The four of us descended together and reached the Clwyd Gate Motel car park fairly quickly. One objective remained, and that was post-expedition refreshments. Entirely predictably, we pulled in at the We Three Loggerheads pub on the A494, where Richard and I were impressed by the guest Titanic Brewery ale on offer. Jimmy also switched to that after kicking off with a Black Sheep Ale, while Edward, perhaps wisely, stuck to the J2Os despite being well into his 19th year.

   

On the M56, we heard the shocking news that Marianne and Liam had been entertaining Mr & Mrs M0GIA and family in our absence, and between them all had polished off the entire roast dinner. Therefore, after dropping Ed off, we had no option but to call in at the Weston Balti Raj for a sit down meal. Poppadoms & chutneys, followed by meat samosas, followed by Badshahi Kanaana (house special dish of king prawns, potato and green chillis) with keema rice, was washed down by Bangla Beer. Home, and time for Match of the Day - perfect!