The public footpath heading westwards from Dolwyddelan station follows an access track to a gate by the house and ascends into sparse woodland on a well laid path with views of Moel Siabod and the remains of a small quarry. Where the path levels out, we forked left across a small enclosure to a ruined metal gate to gain an onward line that later joins the public footpath up the valley of the Afon Hafod-llian. At the closest approach to the stream we diverted to collect water, the last opportunity on this route, certainly in these very dry conditions.

The path reaches the head of the valley at the forest edge with a view to Y Ro Wen. A quadbike track continues directly up the north-east ridge, curving around over some minor humps directly to the summit. There were good views back over the broad ridge to Moel Siabod and the eastern Carneddau.

We felt that ascent was quite enough for one day under the circumstances and we made a great pitch for a relaxed evening in the warm sunshine. The air started to turn hazy but there were fine views to the Manods and more distant Arenigs. Later the low evening light cast a warm orange glow over the landscape.

A near-full moon illuminated the tent as the sky brightened to another clear morning with a warm early glow on the mountain scene. The Manods and surrounding lakes stood out to the south and Yr Wydffa and the Glyderau to the north-west over Llynnau Barlwyd below.

A grassy path heads eastwards directly to Foel-fras, an undistinguished top whose unmarked summit is somewhere next to the fence. Descending southwards there was however a very fine morning view to the Manods and Moelwynion over Llyn Newydd.

Heading eastwards parallel to the forest fence, a line we have walked before, there is some weaving around to avoid boggy bits. The southern arm of the forest is now felled, the remaining brash making a rather scruffy sight as the intermittent path arrives at a ladder stile.

There is no consistent path by the fence heading southwards towards the reservoirs, but there are intermittent fragments of a trodden line on the eastern side across the often boggy moor. The fence passes the slate spoil of the disused Cwt-y-bugail quarry to emerge on the reservoir track.

From here we followed my route from the South Machno Hills trip, an easy walk with plenty of time to sit and savour the atmosphere. I noted on my trip that the track was waterlogged in places but the conditions have recently turned unusually dry for April, still the frogs were undeterred as usual and the large puddles were teeming with tadpoles.

This time we made a brief diversion to see Llyn Newydd that lies above the level of the track, its gravelly shore giving another foreground to the hills beyond.

One of the quarry lakes on the descent to Blaenau presented an attractive picture with its blue water and slate background glittering in the sunshine.