About Me

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When? Started: 1993 Who? Started with staff and friends from U H S, Chester. Organiser: Martyn Harris We walk every Wednesday and Saturdays, New Years day and May Day. How many walk? Walks take place as long as there are at least 2 wanting to walk on that day. More walk on a Wednesday than on a Saturday. Most ever: 29. Current group size walking: 2-7 in mid-week and 2-4 on Saturday. Where do we walk? Saturday: Anywhere in North and Mid-Wales, Peak District, Shropshire and the Long Mynd and as far North as the Trough of Bowland. Thursday: Anywhere within about 40 miles of Chester. Type of walk: Distance: 6 – 14 miles (but usually under 10 miles). Climb: up to 4000’ (but usually very much less!). People involved on walks in 2024:- Martyn Harris, Fran Murphy, Sue and Michel Pelissier, Mike Dodd, David Savage,, Ed Meads, Nigel and Elaine Taylor, Winston Feather.

Saturday, 19 July 2025

A 6 bus journey Friday / Saturday 18th /19th July 2025

It's not what you think! It's Gwynt y Ddraig's Black Dragon cider!
Where am I/
Another clue to where I am

The final clue, the view from the bus stop!
A 6 bus journey, four five pubs, 6 coffees and alcoholic drinks in only two hostelries.
 two breakfasts, but what are they? 
Where did I post a parcel and get a leather belt and purse?
Where did I get a Gwynt y Ddraig coder at under £3 a pint without using a CAMRA voucher?

Wednesday, 16 July 2025

Around Fron Hen, Loggerheads and Big Covert 16th July 2025

Welsh blacks, but they didn't respond to "ydych chi'n siarad yn Gymraeg!"In need of some tlc at From Heulog.

Bryn Alyn from the slops of Fron Hen.
"Why are we waiting?"
Following mum.
Llanferres from the slopes of Fron Hen.
Fran's good view from the slopes of Fron Hen.

"Can we come with you?"
Storm damage above Fron Hen farm.

More storm damage above Fron Hen farm.
"They've taken our mums away!"
Deep in thought?
Hollyhock on the roadside.
More Hollyhock on the roadside.
Lunchtime at Loggerheads.
Looking for a short cut.
Nigel emerging after crossing our first stile leading to our only short cut.
Strolling through Big Covert.
The delightful track through Big Covert.
Crossing the stepping stones near the end of the walk.
Dancing Beautiful demoiselles.
Looks like Sea bindweed, but is it?
Distance: 8.9 miles.
Climb: 889’
Time: 5 hours 28 minutes.
On the move walking average: 2.3 m.p.h.
Overall walk average: 1.6 m.p.h.
Temperature: 17.2 Celsius to 19.8 Celsius.
Beaufort Wind Force: 0 – 2. Mainly no noticeable wind, but when it blew, it was always welcome.
Group: Martyn, Fran and Nigel.
The temperature today was much better for walking, although we did seek out the picnic table in the shade for our lunch at Loggerheads Country Park.
As we approached the highest point of our walk near Fron Heulog, the cloud was still hanging over Foel Fenlli, so we were pleased that we were staying much lower down today.
Distant views weren’t brilliant, although we could still make out Big Covert and Bryn Alyn across the valley above Llanferres.
We saw plenty of butterflies, mainly Large white, Small white, Red admiral, Peacock and Meadow brown.
Birds seen or heard today included: Goldfinch, Jackdaw, Common blackbird, Carrion crow, Blue tit, Coal tit, Common buzzard, Winter wren, Song thrush and Wood nuthatch,
The highlight of the walk was seeing Beautiful demoiselles dancing over the water of a stream near the end of the walk.
Perhaps the surprise of the day was talking to two locals and on both occasions, we ended up talking about bin collections in Denbighshire. The one occasion when we could all admit to talking a load of rubbish!
Overall, a very pleasant and enjoyable walk.
We also came across two people ding a cadis fly count by the same stream.
After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Druids Inn at Llanferres, where Purple Moose’s Cwrw Eryri went down well.

Tuesday, 15 July 2025

Walks and Dates July 2025


Saturday Walks.
I have decided that it has become pointless for me to plan Saturday walks in advance as most weeks I am the only one around.
However Saturday walks can be arranged on request.
One or more short walks a month could be included on request.
Wednesday 2nd July 2025.
No planned walk.
I will probably go birdwatching to see the Little terns at Gronant.
Wednesday 9th July 2025.
Ffrith Mountain and the Alyn Gorge/Cilcain and the Alyn Valley
Distance: 9 miles. Climb: 1010'.
Start: Lay-by on the Cadole to the Pantymwyn road. Grid ref: SJ205627. Approaching Loggerheads on the A494, Mold to Ruthin Road and after passing the former Rainbow Inn (now a smalll new housing estate), take the next road on the right just before the newsagent. The lay-by is almost immediately on the right by the telephone kiosk.
Leave Chester: 09-00 a.m.
Those planning to walk: Martyn, . 
Those not walking: .
This walk is taken from Dave Berry's Book " More Walks in the Clwydian Hills" He describes it as an excellent walk exploring beautiful valleys and foothills. We usually start at Loggerheads, but as it is £5 to park for more than 4 hours we will start up the road in Cadole.
Wednesday 16th July 2025. 
Fron Hen, Loggerheads and Big Covert.
Distance: 7-8 miles. Climb: 1250'.
Start: Layby on the A494 Mold to Ruthin Road, about 1/2 mile South of Llanferres. Grid ref: SJ187597.
Leave Chester 09-00 a.m.
Those planning to walk: Martyn, Fran, Nigel.
Those not walking: .
This walk explores the lower slopes of the Clwydians on the way to Loggerheads and eturns to Llanferres along the Western edge of Big Covert.
This a walk that Mike and I did in February this year, but hopefully the weather this time will be a little kinder.
Wednesday 23rd July 2025. 
Walk arranged on request.
Wednesday 30th July 2025. 
Walk arranged on request.
As most of the group are away on holiday or have other commitments, I have decided not to suggest walks each Wednesday.
List of Possible Wednesday Walks.
Chirk - Offa's Dyke, Two Canal Tunnels and a Castle.
Distance: 9.0 miles. Climb: 800'.
Start: Chirk Centre Car Park. Grid ref: SJ291377.
Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.
Those planning to walk: Martyn, . 
Those not walking: .
This walk is taken from Dave berry's booklet “Walks Around the Berwyns and The Ceiriog Valley". It is described as a walk of great variety and explores the attractive undulating countryside around Chirk. At times it follows the Offa's Dyke Footpath. Part of the route follows the Llangollen canal towpath and includes going through a short tunnel we may in fact go through a second tunnel. You may wish to bring a torch, but there is a handrail to guide you.
Ysceifiog Lake, Caerwys, Maes-Mynan and Pwll-Gwyn Woods.
Distance: 8.5 miles. Climb:1400'. 
Start: Ysceifiog. Park next to the village play area. Grid ref: SJ152715.
Leave Chester 09-00 a.m.
The last record of the group doing this walk was in November 2011. With a recorded distance of nearly 12 miles, I cut out part of the walk to shorten the distance a little.
This walk combines two walks taken from Dave Berry's book "More Walks On the Clwydian Hills". Both walks we have done several times, but not for some time. One walk is described as a delightful walk exploring the valley and foothills of the Clwydian Hills and the other walk as exploring the attractive and varied countryside overlooking the Wheeler Valley. Perhaps this time we will actually go round Pwll Gwyn Woods!
The Alyn Valley and Coed Ddu.
Distance: 7 miles. Climb: 1200'. (8.5 miles. Climb; 1300', if we do the there and back to Hendre).
Start: Car park area West of Cilcain. Grid ref: SJ170652.
To get to the car park take A541Mold - Denbigh Road. After Hendre take the road signposted Cilcain. In the centre of Cilcain, at a crossroads turn right (West) and continue West past the church. After about 400 yards take the minor road left. The parking area is about 300 yards along this road, on the right after a few houses. In all about 700 yards from the crossroads in Cilcain.
This walk is taken from Dave Berry's booklet More Walks on the Clwydian Range".
It is described as as a walk exploring the attractive varied countryside between Hendre and Cilcain.
We last did this walk around 2015, but then we included Plas Plas-yw and the distance was over 11 miles with a climb of over 2000'', too much for me!
The walk is shorter than usual, but I can't see an easy way to extend the walk without missing out large parts of the described route. We could do a there and back from point 2 on the route to Hendre and this would allow us to experience all of the walk as described.  This would add an extra 1.5 miles and 100' of climb.
Cwm Disgynfa and Bryn Golau.
Distance: 8.5 miles Climb: 1500’.
Start: Park in either of two lay-bys on the A541 Mold to Denbigh Road. Grid ref: SJ143711.
The lay-bys are situated about 0.75 miles east of Afonwen.
This walk combines two walks from Dave Berry’s booklet “More Walks On The Clwydian Hills.
The Cwm Dysgynfa walk is described as a walk around the attractive Disgynfa Valley and across the lower eastern slopes of Penycloddiau, reaching a height of 1066’.
The Bryn Golau walk is described as a walk exploring the hills and valleys near Nannerch, descending to Melin-y-Wern before following the delightful river valley.

As far as I know, we haven't done this combination of walks before.
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.

Thursday, 10 July 2025

Cilcain and the Alyn Valley from Cadole 10th July 2025

Poppies on the roadside at Loggerheads.
Melin pentre at Loggerheads Country Park.
Inside Melin pentre.
The Gallery at Loggerheads Country Park.
One of the paintings in the Gallery.
Not a lot of water in the Alyn at the Loggerheads Country Park footbridge.
A delightful section of The Leete path.
The Alyn without water at this point.
The Devil's Gorge from The Leete path  footbridge.
Coed y Felin near Cilcain.
Leaving Coed y Felin.
Common spotted orchid.
This is a Black clouded longhorn beetle according to Google lens.
After joining me for lunch the beetle has decided it's time to leave.
Looking over the valley towards Cilcain.
Looking towards Loggerheads.
The only field that we crossed today as we headed back to Loggerheads.
Distance: 8.9 miles.
Climb: 889’
Time: 5 hours 28 minutes.
On the move walking average: 2.3 m.p.h.
Overall walk average: 1.6 m.p.h.
Temperature: 24.5 Celsius to 24.5 Celsius, although it need reach 27.4 Celsius at lunch
Beaufort Wind Force: 0 – 2. Mainly no noticeable wind, but it did briefly gust to a 4.2 m.p.h Light breeze as we descended the lane towards the Loggerheads overspill car park.
Group: Martyn, Nigel and Fran.
The weather started off pleasantly warm, but by lunch time the temperature was as over 27 Celsius and feeling quite humid. Thankfully we found a good spot and had lunch in the shade of a large tree.
The first part of the walk was along the Leete towards Cilcain, a delightful path along the valley through the trees.
We decided that it was too warm to do the extension to the Jubilee Tower on Moel Famau, but I think Nigel was a little disappointed!
There was very little water in the streams, so today it wasn’t a problem to ford the usual two streams.
Distant views towards Frodsham and Helsby Hill were pretty good.
We saw plenty of Butterflies, mainly Large white, but we also saw Green veined white and a Meadow brown.
Birds seen or heard today included: Goldfinch, Jackdaw, Common blackbird, Carrion crow, Woodpigeon, European robin, Coal tit, Common buzzard, Wood nuthatch, Blackcap and Raven.
The only downside of the walk today for two of us was that we were bitten by horse flies!
Overall, a very enjoyable walk, nevertheless we were still glad to get back to the car and take off our boots and let our feet feel the fresh air.
A bonus today was to find the Pay and Display Car Park in Mold Centre is free after three and it was later than that when we got there! It was also one of Wetherspoon’s cheap beer days (cheaper than their normal cheap price).
After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Gold Cape (Wetherspoon) in Mold. The beers enjoyed today were Conwy Brewery’s Beachcomber and Coach House’s Gunpowder Mild.

Wednesday, 2 July 2025

RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands NR 2nd July 2025

 

Vetch next to the path leading to Marsh Covert.
White clover next to the path leading to Marsh Covert.
Red clover next to the path leading to Marsh Covert.
Rosebay willowherb next to the path leading to Border Hide.
A Comma butterfly seen on the way to Border Hide.
Black tailed godwits on Centenary Pool.
Avocets and a Teal on Centenary Pool.
Lapwing, Teal and a Black headed gull on Centenary Pool.
A Tufted duck family on Centenary Pool.
An Oystercatcher trying to hide.
A Common redshank on Centenary Pool.
More Black tailed godwits on Centenary Pool.
A Lapwing on Centenary Pool.
Spotted redshanks on Centenary Pool.
Little  egrets on Bridge Pool.
A Great white hunting in the reedbed.
A Great white hunting in the reedbed.
Herb robert near Woodland Pool.
A Moorhen looks as though it is trying to make an escape.
An Egyptian goose on The Mere.
A Water lily on The Mere.
Bracket fungi on a tree next to Woodland Pool.
A fine Weeping willow overhangs the pond in the Garden.
Unwanted guests below the Reception bird feeders, but how many did you spot?.
Just a 3.5 mile stroll around RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands NR.
Pleasantly warm, around 18 Celsius, but with a Moderate breeze (about 15 m.p.h., that made qulte a times to get a clear photograph.
There were lots of butterflies about, including: Large white, Green veined white, Peacock, Meadow brown and Comma.
Birds seen or heard today: Sand martin (first time that I have seen them entering the holes in the "Sand martin bank"), Chiffchaff, Sedge warbler, Blackcap, Teal, Egyptian goose, Greylsg goose, Canada goose, Knot, Avocet, Little egret, Great white egret, Moorhen, Common coot, Reed warbler, Spotted redshank, Common redshank, Tufted duck, Spoonbill, Black headed gull, Black tailed godwit, Mallard, Winter wren, Common blackbird and Common buzzard (seen from the car on my way).