Saltney Ferry, the Wales Coastal Path, the Riverside Promenade and The Groves 11th October 2025

Looking towards Chester from the Saltney Ferry Footbridge.

A Grey heron at the Balderton Brook outflow.

Gulls and crows on the sandbank opposite Saltney Riverside Park.

The marker stone for the Wales Coast Path.

Looking into England - the border, but no passport needed.

The Deva Stadium from the riverside path.

Another Grey heron, opposite the Riverside Promenade.

The Roodee from the Riverside Promenade.

The Chester / Handbridge weir on the River Dee.

River Dee and The Groves, Chester.

Grosvenor Park, looking a little better than a few weeks ago.

Distance: 5.7 miles.Climb:180'.
Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
On the move walking average: 3.0 m.p.h.
Overall walk average: 2.6 m.p.h.
Birds seen or heard: - House sparrow, Black headed gull, Lesser black back gull, Herring gull, Common blackbird, European robin, Great cormorant, Mallard, Common coot, Moorhen, Carrion crow, Long tailed tit, Black billed magpie and Grey heron.
Weatherwise it looked like it would be a good day to take a walk rather than a bus ride. Although it was rather overcast, it was dry, pleasantly warm and the wind was hardly noticeable - in fact perfect for walking.
Surprisingly, it was very quiet, very few cyclists (none of which were lycra louts), about half a dozen runners, a few dog walkers, and only as I reached the Roodee did I see any walkers (without dogs).
Early on the quiet was only disturbed but several light aircraft flying overhead to and from Hawarden Airport.
With few distractions, I made good progress and was in Chester at 11-45, I'm time to call in at the bank to pick up a few money bags that I needed before I could cash in some coins at the bank.
All that was left on the agenda, was to visit Bull and Stirrup to sample more of them brews on their Beer Festival.

I finished off by visiting the Square Bottle to sample a few more beers in their beer festival. It was o busy, I had to sit outside, and thankfully the Sun came out, so sitting outside was quite pleasant.  The downside, was there seems to be no designated smoking area, and I couldn't find a seat where cigarette smoke didn't drift over!

Otherwise, it was a very enjoyable Saturday day out.

Walks and Dates October 2025

 Saturday Walks.

I won't be planning any walks for Saturday this month.

However Saturday walks can be arranged on request.

Wednesday 1st October 2025.

West Kirby Marine Lake, Hilbre Island, Red Rocks, Grange Hill and Caldy Hill. 

Distance: 5-11 miles

Climb: 400' .

Start. South Parade, West Kirby. Grid ref: SJ214860. Park near the Life Boat Station and old Baths, towards the Southern end of the Marine Lake.

Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m. 

Those planning to walk: Martyn (I will drive), .

Those not walking: .

High tide is at about 05-00 and is at 6.7 m / 22'.

We will start the walk by going around the Marine Lake and then we will walk along the beach from West Kirby to Red Rocks.

At Red Rocks follow Stanley Road to the cross roads at The King's Gap, we will take the path that runs parallel to the railway line. On reaching the road, we will turn left for a few hundred yards before taking one of the roads through the houses to reach the path heading up to the top of Grange Hill

 From here we will head across Grange Hill and descend to the beacon on Column Road.

 From the beacon, our route takes us south to Caldy Hill to met King's Drive. Heading down hill, turn right onto a path that leads to the Caldy Road.  At Caldy Road we will turn left and the right into Croft Drive West. At the junction with Croft Drive, we will turn right, heading towards the estuary.  We will then turn right and follow the Wirral Way as far as Ashton Park in West Kirby and then head west through the houses back to South Parade and the start of our walk.

Saturday 4th October 2025.

No Planned walk

See walk list below for possible walks.

Wednesday 8th October 2025.

Melin-y-Wig and Derwen.

Distance: 8 miles. Climb: 975'.

Start: Boncyn Foel-bach Forest Car Park Grid ref: SJ055520. This is on the B5105 Ruthin to Clawdd Newydd road.
Leave Chester at 09-00. 

Those planning to walk: . 

Those not walking: .

This walk is taken from Lorna Jenner's book "Walks in the Vale of Clwyd".  I have only done this walk once before starting from this car park and that was more than 10 years ago. It is described as being a varied walk through forest, quiet lanes, including one that was used on a pilgrims' route and an attractive riverside path.

 Part of the route, particularly sections of the riverside path have in the past been rather boggy (Remembered from it being on walks starting from Melin-y-Wig). The section through the forest can be boggy too. The only other thing I remember about this walk is that the final section involves climbing out of the valley up to the car park - not the most ideal way to end a walk.  We may have to dip our boots in disinfectant as we go through th grounds of a chicken farm.

Saturday 11th October2025.

No Planned walk

See walk list below for possible walks.

Wednesday 15th October 2025.

A short 1 hour 30 minute walk starting at about 11-00 from Lowerfield Road, Westminster Park. 

Those planning to go on this short walk are: Martyn, Fran, Elaine, Gaynor, Sue and Dave, David S, Sue and Michel.

Coed Ceunant and the River Clwyd.

Postponed.

Distance: 8.3 miles. Climb: 680'.
Start: Start: Ruthin Craft Centre Car park (free) on Lon Parcwr (4th turning off the roundabout if approaching from Mold/Chester. It is opposite Tesco). Grid ref: SJ125586.

Leave Chester at 09-00. 

Those planning to walk: . 

This walks from Dave Berry's book "Walks In the Vale of Clwyd" that we have done several times before, but not for some time In the past we have linked them with other walks that take the mileage to about 13 miles, more than most of us want these days. He describes the walk as  one exploring varied countryside, with excellent views and visits the charming ruins of a Medieval church using field paths and some delightful bridleways between Ruthin and Llanbeddr Dyffryn-Clwyd. It explores the attractive lower slopes of the Clwydian's, including a lovely wooded area.

Saturday 18th September 2025.

No Planned walk

See walk list below for possible walks.

Wednesday 22nd October 2025.

 In Search of St. Cynhafal.

Distance: 8 miles. Climb: 700',
Start: Roadside parking in Llandyrnog on the Llangynhafal road (Gladstone Terrace) . Park on the wider part of the road after Nant Glyd. Grid ref: SJ109650.
Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.

Those planning to walk: .

Those not walking: .

This walk is taken from Dave Berry's book "Walks in the Vale of Clwyd" 
It is described as a delightful walk exploring the attractive countryside between the Afon Clwyd. and the lower slopes of the Clwydian Hills.

Saturday 25th October 2025.

No Planned walk

See walk list below for possible walks.

List of Possible Saturday Walks. 

Moel y Garneddd.

Distance: 7- 8 miles.

Climb: 1200'.

Start: Fronfeuno Snowdonia National Park Lakeside Car park Grid ref: SH917351.

Leave Chester 08-30 a.m.

Those planning to walk: . 

Those not walking: .

This walk is taken from Dave Berry's booklet "Walks Around Y Bala and Penllyn". The walk explores the undulating countryside West of Bala. The route follows a a bridleway up to moorland, eventually crossing Moel y Garneddd at a height of 1170'. We can expect to see superb views as we cross the open moorland. The return route goes through attractive woodland. This is a walk for experienced walkers only and should not be attempted in poor visibility. Careful navigation is required.

Caer, Gai, Cwm Dyfrydwy with an extension over Garth Fawr.

Distance: 9.1 miles. Climb: 1100'.

Start: Roadside parking in Llanuwchllyn on B4403. Park opposite the PC and chapel. Grid ref: SH875302.

Leave Chester 08-30 a.m. 

Those planning to walk: . 

Those not walking: .

This walk combines two walks from Dave Berry's booklet "Walks Around Y Bala and Penllyn". One walk is described as a fascinating walk featuring a Roman fort and historic houses and the other explores both sides of the Dyfrdwy Valley. The optional extension explores the countryside South of Llanuwchllyn, climbing to open moorland around Garth Fawr at a height of 1079'. It returns along the Western side of the Afon Twrch (Cwm Cynllwyd).

Ramshaw Rocks and the Roaches.

Distance: 8 miles. Climb: 1400’.

Start: Lay-by on West side of Hen Cloud, opposite the track to Windygates. Grid ref: SK006618.

Leave Chester at 08-00.

Those planning to walk: . 

Those not walking: .

Ramshaw Rocks, combined with The Roaches, makes a superb walk, worth repeating on an annual basis.

This walk allows us to explore Ramshaw Rocks seen so many times as we have walked over the Roaches. Ramshaw Rocks from a distance have always looked to be an interesting place in which to walk. This time Ramshaw Rocks will be our main objective with a North to South traverse of the Roaches a bonus towards the end of the walk. If time and legs permit, Hen Cloud may be included as an extension. The route heads North and then North west leading to Well Farm. From Well Farm field paths are used to reach the Churnet Way near Naychurch. The Churnet Way is followed North over Ramshaw Rocks and then leaves the Churnet Way and heads North to visit Black Brook Nature Reserve, After a complete circuit of the Reserve the route drops down to the road South of Newstone Farm. The road is then followed North for about a mile before heading west across Goldstich Moss in to the Black Brook Valley. After crossing the brook on a footbridge the path then rises to Roach End. At Roaches End the main path over the Roaches is followed past the trig point and Doxy Pool back to the start.

Boggy area guaranteed!

Town Brook Hollow and Ragleth Hill.

Distance: 9 -10 miles; Climb:2400'.

Start: Church Stretton centre car park (Pay and display). Grid ref:SO454941.

Leave Chester 8-00 a.m.

Those planning to walk: . 

Those not walking: .

This walk combines two short walks taken from Ian R. Jones's booklet "20 Church Stretton Walks". Town Brook Hollow (Ashlet Hill) to the North of Church Stretton and Ragleth Hill is to the South.   The two walks effectively create a figure of eight walk around Church Stretton, making Church Stretton a good place to look for a lunch spot.

It isn't easy to translate the Town Brook Hollow R. Jones 's map to the OS map, so we  a more recent booklet "Walks in the Shropshire Hills"  by Steve Goodier, so we might use his description for the Town Brook Hollow walk.

The Ragleth Hill walk includes quite steep climbs and descents, so we will probably do that walk first.

The Ragleth ill walk is 5.4 miles with a 1137' of climb and the Town Brook Hollow walk is 3.8 miles with 1244' of climb.

Please feel free to make suggests of walks that you would like to be included.

Please remember, I have a Prayer Meeting at Church on the first Wednesday of each month every, so I will be looking for walks not too far away.

Melin-y-Wig and Derwen 8th October 2025

Our starting point today.

The view south from our stating point.

A delightful avenue of Beech trees.

The stile leading into the notorious forest!

The is OK so far!

Still OK.

The start of the nightmare!

Bracket fungi 1

Fungi 2  - possibly Yellow staghorn.

The stile that ked to freedom from the notorious forest.

Looking back to the notorious forest on the skyline.

Distant views of Moel Famau.

The sheep with the golden fleece.

Leaves changing colour.

Good to see the chapel in Melin-y-Wig still has Sunday services.

The Afon Clwyd near Melin-y-Wig where I saw the Dipper.

Badger sheep and a Jacob's sheep.

More Jacob's sheep with the black sheep of the family.

Tentative steps over the acorns on the riverside path.

Acorns on the path.

Fungus 3.

Fungus 4 - possibly Shaggy inkcap.

The Afon Clwyd from our lunch spot.

At our lunch spot next to the Afon Clwyd.

The Afon Clwyd from our lunch spot.

Is it a fungus or a lichen?

God's House - the gate is always open.

The War Memorial at Derwen.

Dinas (hillfort) on the skyline?

Derwen chapel.

The road to Ffynnon Sara.

Our only sighting of a Buzzard.

Parasol mushrooms. 

Ffynnon Sara.

Distant view of the hills (Llantysilio Mountains) from the Ruthin road near our start point.

Distance: 8.3 miles. Climb:1024. Time: 5 hours 20 minutes
On the move walking average: 2.4 m.p.h.
Overall wall average: 1.6 m.p.h.
Temperature: 17-21 Celsius.
BWF: No noticeable wind.
Birds seen or heard today included: Common blackbird, Blue tit, Dipper, Grey heron, Woodpigeon, Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Grey wagtail, Rook and Common buzzard.
This walk always presents a challenge trying to keep to the path as we go through the forest south Glan-y-gorse farm. Despite our efforts and two maps on our GPS devices, we failed again. The huge number of fallen trees blocked the way, every time we tried to keep on the path. Eventually we arrived at the stile at the southern end of the forest, but I suffered many scratches on my legs going through the vegetation In addition I managed to get one foot wet when I stepped into a boggy section and the water went over the top of m boot.
The only other problem we had was along the river path, where so many acorns covered the path, and rolled as we put our feet on them.
We had lunch next to the Afon Clwyd, where a fallen tree provided suitable perching.
The weather today was almost perfect for walking, not too hot or cold, very little wind, no rain and good spells of warm sunshine.
This was day that could have been call the “Acorn walk” or alternatively the “fungi Walk”, as thy seemed to be everywhere we went.
One unexpected encounter was made at Glyn-bach, where we had to wait by the side of the garage until the owner rounded up his three dogs before we could go through the yard.
Glyn-bach had been impressively renovated since the last time we did this walk.
Overall, a very enjoyable walk apart from the tricky forest section.
After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Ruthin Castle Hotel (a Wetherspoon), where there was a Beer Festival taking place. I managed to taste four different beers, while Nigel drank is Pepsi and ate a packet of crisps.

Hilbre Island, Red Rocks and Grange Hill 1st 2025

Looking across West Kirby Marine Lake towards Hilbre.

A Great cormorant drying out on the marker.

A tractor heads across the sand at low tide.

6 Goosanders, but 5 dived as I took the photo!

The Winter plumage Slavonian grebe ion West Kirby Marine Lake.

Hilbre ahead.

Fran's reminder of he slippery section on the way to Hilbre.

Grey seals on the sandbank.

Mike by the stone arch on Middle Eye / Little Hilbre Island.

On Middle Eye / Little Hilbre Island.

Brent geese on the rocks between Little Hilbre Island and Hilbre Island

The information board on Hilbre Island.

One of the Gannets seen from Hilbre Island.

The cranes at Liverpool Docks on the skyline.

Looking towards North Wales from Hilbre Island.

Grange Hill War Memorial seen from Hilbre Island.

Coffee break in the shelter on Hilbre Island.

Little Hilbre Island from Hilbre Island.

The Common kestrel hunting on Hilbre Island.

Little Eye ahead.

Leaving Little Eye.

Lunch time.

Mole Famau from our lunch spot.

The Rock pipit from our lunch spot.

Th Rock pipit again.

Little Hilbre Island and Hilbre Island from the beach on the way to Red Rocks.

Red Rocks ahead.

Grange Hill War Memorial.

Afternoon coffee break.

Plenty of Autumnal coloured leaves in West Kirby.

Nearly back at the car.

T*his is what the locals do!

Distance: 10.3 miles.
Climb: 881’.
Time: 5 hours 24 minutes
On the move walking average: 2.5 m.p.h.
Overall wall average: 1.9 m.p.h.
Temperature: 13.4 Celsius (17.2) Celsius. Max 20.2 Celsius at West Kirby Marine Lake at the end of the walk.
BWF: Max 3. A 9.2 m.p.h. Gentle breeze.
Birds seen or heard today included: Herring gull, Black headed gull, Lesser black back gull, Eurasian curlew, Common redshank, Rock pipit, House sparrow, Common kestrel, Pied wagtail, Brent goose, Oystercatcher, Gannet, Goosander, Grey heron and Slavonian grebe.
With the Low tide at 12-44, we decided it would be a good time to visit Hilbre Island, rather than just going around West Kirby Marine Lake. The star bird of the day was a Winter plumage Slavonian grebe, but seen 6 Goosander was good as well.
We all started off wearing fleeces / jackets, but we soon realised that they weren’t really needed and removed them as soon as we reached Hilbre Island.
As usual, we didn’t take the best route between Middle Eye (Little Hilbre Island) and Hilbre Island, and found it quite slippery crossing some of the rocks that were covered with a layer of mud. We didn’t make the same mistake going back.
Grey seals could be heard calling as they were hauled on the distant sandbank, and you just about make them when looking through binoculars.
The best bird spot from Hilbre Island, was two Gannets diving.

Distant views were rather hazy, but the Great Orme, Moel Famau could easily be recognised, as were the crains at Liverpool docks.
Lunch was taken by West Kirby Marine Lake, where for the first time we took advantage of the benches in the wind shelter.
After lunch, we crossed the sand to Red Rocks, a popular walk for many.
The last climb of the day was to the top of Grange Hill and the War Memorial, an impressive monument that could even see from Little Eye.
Overall, a very enjoyable walk, celebrated afterwards by visiting the Wheatsheaf at Raby. Mike enjoyed sampling Timothy Taylor Landlord and Brimstage Amber Ale, Fran, teetotal for 10 days, enjoyed a tonic water with extra water added and a slice of lemon, and I enjoyed a pot of tea (my go to tipple when I am the driver).