I had long planned to make my 100th ascent of Moel Ddu on or about my 75th birthday and was glad to have it in the club programme on an adjacent Sunday.

It therefore transpired that 17 of us caught the 11 am bus from Port to Aberglaslyn, the driver kindly putting us down at the gate to the Hall. We then set off up towards Oerddwr whereupon I immediately set off up the wrong path– taking the route up to the right of Afon Goch instead of the public path through the Hall grounds. As result we came out too far to the right, near the ruined tower above Aberglaslyn Pass. This was easily corrected by continuing upwards to join the path that comes over from Beddgelert.

As a result we passed above the old farmhouse at Oerddwr and made our way more or less along the line of the path that leads over to Cwm Ystradllyn and so to the environs of Llynau Oerddwr. From where it is but a steady plod to the summit of Moel Ddu. Lunch Stop!

By now Delyth Evans has materialised from somewhere, and Martin Scarratt was waiting to meet us on the top. It transpired that not only was I celebrating but that today was Delyth’s and Sandra Bell’s birthday and, in fact several other members of the party have their birthdays round about now. Perhaps a birthday walk should become a regular feature of the club’s June calendar.

After a leisurely lunch– fortunately it was warm enough to st around on the top, as long as one kept out of the wind– the walk continued. Descending the gentle ridge that leads northwards towards the sea. Eventually we came off the high ground and descended past Llyn Cwm Bychan to Tremadog. There was enough time (just!) for a pint in the Fleece before catching a bus to Port and more ale in the Ship Inn.