Saturday, 17 March 2012

Yet Another Great Orme Walk 17th March 2012

Looking across the Conwy Estuary towards Conwy Mountain from the path above Marine Drive.
Looking towards Anglesey from the Western slopes of the Great Orme.
Looking towards Puffin Island from the Great Orme.
Violets, the flowers that Celia spotted first!
Walk stats: Distance: 8.2 miles. Climb: 1142''.
Time: 5 hours 10 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.1 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.6 m.p.h.
Group: Martyn and Celia.
Sunshine and showers were forecast, thankfully we only had one short shower and plenty of blue skies and sunshine.
As this was the second Saturday on the run that I had walked on the Great Orme, I decided to explore a couple of paths that we hadn't used before. The first was the path that goes from behind the west Shore Marine Drive toll house and runs parallel to the road and comes out opposite the road that leads to the gunnery site. This is a superb path and is one I would recommend over just following Marine Drive.  The second new path was the waymarked path after the road that comes down from St. Tudno's Church. a good path, but I will only use it again if we want to keep the walk to less than 10 miles.  As the group gets older, that may be soon than we would like to admit!
The sea was quite calm and at times we could see the reflection of the Conwy Mountains, the blue skies and the clouds reflected, not perfectly but still very obvious. It is days like this that makes walking around and on the Great Orme such a joy and and to be thankful that you still have the ability to get there and enjoy it!
I listened to the weather forecast and opted not to wear shorts, and was a little a little peeved when Celia decided to take off her trouser legs (only the lower half of course).
Lunch was taken, quite early, just after 12-00, using the picnic tables North of the summit on Great Orme.
Thankfully it was only 10 minutes after lunch that we experienced the first and only rain shower that lasted about 15 minutes.
Birds seen and heard today included: Pied wagtail, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Mute swan, Oystercatcher, Herring gull, Red-billed chough, House sparrow, Blue tit, Great tit, Winter wren, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Raven, Fulmar, Meadow pipit, Skylark, Great black-backed gull, Lesser black-backed gull, Guillemot, Greenfinch, Stonechat, Blackbird, Great cormorant, European robin, Woodpigeon, Dunnock and Kittewake.
A lovely walk. I think I'm getting to like these 8 milers!
After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn at Halkyn, Celia with her San Miguel and me with with my Lees bitter, and of course "we" were able to watch Wales on their way to a yet another grand slam victory!

Thursday, 15 March 2012

Barber's Hill, the Vivod Estate, Berwyn Halt and the Horseshoe Falls and More15th March 2012

Waiting to visit St Collen's Church, Llangollen.
Inside St., Collen's Church, Llangollen.
The superb elaborately hammer-beam roof erected in 1530.
Dinas Bran, but I can't see Fran or Tito!
A Mandarin drake, our most unexpected bird of the day.
The Horshoe Falls.
Walk stats: 11.1 miles. Climb: 1760'.
Time; 5 hours 50 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.4 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.9 m.p.h.
Group: Martyn, Annie H., Gordon, Sue and Michel, Tim, Paul, Sylvia and Dave J, Fran and Tito ( after lunch). Celia made it to the car park in Llangollen, but then had to go home with her sick car, the clutch had apparently gone!
The much anticipated spells of sunshine didn't materialise, but at least it wasn't too cold and we didn't get any rain!
On this occasion I decided to see if we could go into St Collen's Church, and what a good choice it was. The carved hammer-beam roof was superb. It makes wonder do we have any craftsmen today that could produce such magnificent work.
We went past Plas Newydd, the home of the "Two Ladies of Llangollen" before heading up hill to Barber Hill. We had good views towards Dinas Bran, but they weren't exactly crystal clear!
Lunch was taken overlooking the river at Llangollen, where we met up with Fran and Tito who had earlier walke upto Dinas Bran.  It was on this section of the river that we encountered the drake Manderin duck, happily sitting only a couple of feet from the path.
The second walk didn't give much to demand that it should be repeated, but it was pleasant enough. The size and amount of tree trunks stranded on the island below the Horseshoe Falls made you realise that at times the river must be much higher than it was today.
Birds seen or heard today included: Dunnock, Song thrush, Woodpigeon, Common pheasant, House sparrow, Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Mallard, Mandarin duck, Blue tit, Great tit, Winter wren, Kestrel, Common buzzard, Pied wagtail, Common blackbird, Greenfinch, Grey heron, Nuthatch and Barnacle goose.
After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Corn Mill in Llangollen. Several went for Facers DHB (Dave's Hoppy Beer), but not everyone, Conwy Celebration Ale, a Blackberry Stout and a Pheonix brew were all sampled (only one brew per person!). Not forgetting that a pot of tea, a lime and lemonade and a J2O were also chosen drinks to refresh the tired legs.

Saturday, 10 March 2012

Another Great Orme Special 10th March 2012

Is that a seal?
Llandudno Pier from Happy Valley Gardens, Llandudno.
"That's my boy!" The only new kid seen.
Walk stats: Distance: 8.1 miles. Climb: 1440'.
Time: 4 hours 48 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.2 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.7 m.p.h.
Group: Martyn and Roger.
Another good day for walking, especially before lunch, when we experienced a lot of sunshine to compensate for the cool wind.
This route followed the footpath that lead to the gunnery site, always a good alternative to following the Marine Drive from the West shore. This approach gave us lots of opportunity to hear birds singing, especially that of the Dunnock that seemed to be every hundred yards or so as we headed towards the open access area.
Heading along the Marine Drive, past the "Rest and be Thankful" Cafe is always one of anticipation! Will we see a seal? Will we see a porpoise? on this occasion, the answer was, no!.
However we did see lots of Guillemots and a Fulmars (some already nesting).
Our greatest disappointment was find the toilets in the Happy Valley Gardens closed!
As usual, we had lunch in the cemetery near St. Tudno's church, and were fortunate enough to see a Kestrel fly past within a few feet of us, not once but several times. On one occasion, it was being mobbed by Jackdaws and a Herring gull.
After lunch, we realised that our legs were still complaining from the walk on Thursday, so decided the shortest route across the top of the Great Orme was the best option. That decision had nothing to do with the fact that we would be back at the Britannia Inn, Halkyn to se the first half of the Wales v Italy rugby match, which Wales naturally won!
Birds seen or heard today included: Mute swan, Oystercatcher, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Raven, Pied wagtail, European robin, Meadow pipit, Red-billed chough, Fulmar, Herring gull, Great cormorant, Blue tit, Great tit, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Woodpigeon, Common blackbird and Skylark.

Thursday, 8 March 2012

Walks and Dates March 2012

Updated 8th March 2012.
Thursday 1st March 2012
Greenfield Valley, Gadlys and East of Holywell.
Distance: 10-11miles. Climb:1500'.
Start: Greenfield Valley car park on the A548. Grid ref: SJ197775.
Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.
This walk uses two complete walks and part of a third walk from Dave berry's book "Walks Around Holywell and Halkyn Mountains". This will be the first time that we will complete the whole of the Greenfield Valley walk and the short route on the Gadlys walk. It's always good to explore new routes! A reasonable amount of climb as we climb from the coast road to Holywell on two occasions.
Saturday 3rd March 2012
Another Walk On Conwy Mountain.
Distance: 9-10 miles. Climb:1800' at a guess!
Start: Long stay car park on the B5106 at Conwy. Pay and Display. Grid ref:SH781773.
Leave Chester 08-00 a.m.
This walk is taken from Carl Rogers's book "Walking in the Conwy Valley". Much of the routes as far as Conwy is the same as we have done on the last two occasions,. It goes through the harbour, follows riverside before passing the school and then climbing to Conwy Mountain along he North Wales path. The return route goes South towards Henryd. It is similar to a route we used many years ago, but appears to misses out much of the road walking. we shall see!
Thursday 8th March 2012
The Sandstone Trail - Larkton Hill to Old St Chad's Church.
Distance: 12-13 miles. Climb: 500'.
Start: Car park in the centre of Malpas behind the Post Office. Grid ref: SJ 488473.
Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.
This is the sixth in our walks from Carl Roger's book "Circular Walks on the Sandstone Trail". Not the most inspiring sections of the Trail. It is a bit longer than we would normally do, but at least there shouldn't be too much of a climb!
Saturday 10th March 2012 
This walk has been postpone until April.
A Tale of Two Quarries and the Foothills of Moel Morfydd.
Distance:10-11 miles; Climb:2800'.
Start: Opposite Capel Hebron, Rhewl. Grid ref:SJ182449.
Leave Chester 9-00 a.m.
Two walks taken from Dave Berry's book ""Walking Around Llangollen and the Dee Valley. The two quarries walk is described as an exhilarating walk exploring the foothills and attractive South facing side valleys of the Llantysilio mountain range.
The second walk is described as a walk that explores the beautiful Dee Valley and includes passing around the head of an attractive side valley beneath Moel Morfydd, offering superb views of the Dee Valley and beyond.
This is a walk that we usually do on a Thursday, but parking is limited, so I thought it would be better to include it on the Saturday list for a change.
Thursday 15th March 2012
Barber Hill and the Vivod Estate, Berwyn Halt and the Horseshoe Falls.
Distance: 10-11 miles.
Climb: 2000'.
Start: Llangollen long stay car park (pay and display). This is the car park that you get to by taking the first road on the right after crossing the bridge towards the centre. Grid ref: SJ214420.
Leave Chester at 9-00 a.m.
This walk combines two walks taken from Dave Berry's book "Walks Around Llangollen and the Dee Valley".
One walk takes us past Plas Newydd, the home of the "Ladies of Llangollen" before exploring the hidden wooded valleys above Llangollen. The second walk ofers delightful river, valey and canal scenery.  Hopefully the Snowdrops will still be in bloom in the church grounds at Llantysilio.
The most memorable time that we did this combination of walks was in March 2006, when there was snow on the ground. It was a glorious sunny and the sun reflecting on the snow on the trees sparkled like jewels. This was a glorious walk, hopefully to be repeated again this time round, although hopefully without any snow.
Saturday 17th March 2012
Llyn Elsi and Llyn y Parc from Betws -y coed.
Distance: 10 miles. Climb:1600' at a guess!
Start at the main car park at Betws-y-coed (near the PC). Grid ref: SH795565.
Leave Chester at 08-00 a.m.
This is a figure of eight walk that combines two walks from ar Roger's book "Walking in the Conwy Valley". He describes one of these as a moderate walk to the most famous lake around Betws-y-coed, and the other as more strenuous as it climbs steeply out of the Llugwy valley to explore the woods and lakes of the Gwydir Forest.
Thursday 22nd March 2012
The Sandstone Trail - Old St Chad's Church to Whitchuch
Distance: 12 miles. Climb: 300'.
Start: Lay-by just past the Grindley Brook Lockside  Cafe on the A41.  Next to an old mill and an telephone box. Grid ref: SJ524428.
Leave Chester 09-00 a.m.
This is the seventh and last in our walks from Carl Roger's book "Circular Walks on the Sandstone Trail". As with the last walk, this section is another not very inspiring sections of the Trail, but at least this time we have the motivation that on completing it we will have done the whole of the trail.
Saturday 24th march 2012
Walks Around Cemaes Bay.
Distance: 10 miles. Climb:500'.
Start: Car park near the harbour in Cemaes Bay. Grid ref: SH373935.
Leave Chester 08-00 a.m.
This walk combines two walks, one of each of the books that Carl Roger has written on "Coastal Walks On Anglesey. He describes one walk as an excellent walk along a dramatic section of the coast. good paths, but one section is a little exposed an might intimidate some people. Let's hope it's a calm day and dry underfoot! The other walk heads towards the Wylfa Power Station, where there is a possible short extension to Mynydd y Wylfa.
Thursday 29th March 2012
Beyond the Ro and Moel Ferna
Distance: 9-10 mile. Climb:1500'.
Start: Lay-by next to The Butterfly Man and Craft Centre on the A5. Grid ref: SJ115436.
Leave Chester 09-00 a.m.
This walk combines one of the walks from Dave Berry's book "Walks Around Llangollen and the Dee Valley" with an extension to the summit of Moel Ferna (weather permitting). We will decide the return route on the day. We have visited Moel Ferna in all sorts of conditions, some good, some not so good, hopefully it will be a good one this time.
Saturday 31st March 2012.
Pilsbury Castle and Wolfcote Dale.
Distance: 11 miles; Climb: 1150'.

Start: Hartington Village car park (pay and display). Grid ref:SK123602.
Leave Chester 08-00 a.m.
This is one of may favourite White Peak Walks as most of you will have guessed by the number of times that it has appeared on the lists.This time we will do the Pilsbury Castle circuit first and after lunch we will visit the sylvan Beresford Dale, the open aspects of Wolfscote Dale and the wilder aspects of Biggin Dale, before retiring to the Wilkes Head for refreshments!

Sandstone Trail - Larkton Hill to Old St Chad's Church 8th March 2012

A few of the youngish lambs seen in the fields between Malpas and Larkton Hill.
More youngsters in the fields between Larkton Hill and Old St Chad's Church.
Walk stats: Distance: 13.4 miles. Climb:861'.
Time: 6 hours 25 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.5 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.1 m.p.h.
Group: Martyn, Roger and Annie H.
A very select group today, just three of us, everyone seemed to be away. I suppose that from time to time that will happen as most of us are enjoying retirement.
Yet another almost perfect day for walking, plenty of sunshine and very little wind. I could have got a way with only one shirt, but as everyone knows, I like to change for lunch!
This isn't exactly the best section of the Sandstone Trail, but overall it was a very pleasant "stroll" through the Cheshire countryside with conditions underfoot being excellent (sections looked as though they could  very muddy if you chose the wrong day!).
Not a lot worthy of photographing on this route, but it's always good see lambs and calves in the field, reminding us of how wonderful new born animals really are.  Although I didn't see it Roger and Annie saw one lamb jump 20', it must have known it's getting late to be selected for the long jump for the 2012 Olympics!
The only other thing of note was as we approached Larkton Hill, we saw a very unusual bird, bigger than a kestrel, more like a large buzzard, but with peculiar wings and flight pattern.  We came to the conclusion that it was a "black kite", the man made variety that many a young person has enjoyed flying!
As we had lunch on the slopes of Larkton Hill with at least 7 miles to go, a text came in from the Ravazzolos. It was good to see that they were out walking he Clwydians, Moel Arthur I presume!
Birds seen or heard today included: Greenfinch, Collared dove, Woodpigeon, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Rook, House sparrow, Blue tit, great tit, Common buzzard, Common pheasant, Common starling, Yellowhammer, European robin, Common blackbird, Great tit, Fieldfare, Greylag goose, Canada goose, Mallard, Great tit, Chaffinch and Pied wagtail. 
 We arrived back at the car, thankful that we had made it back in good time, and I for one had one knee that had been protesting every time we went over a stile in the last couple of miles!
I don't envy Roger standing up singing for for a few hours this evening.
After walk celebrations we enjoyed with an appropriate drink when we got home, our last experience in Malpas wasn't the best!

Wednesday, 7 March 2012

Birds Seen or Heard in March 2012

Birds Seen or Heard in March 2012.

 
Black-billed magpie

Blackbird

Black-headed gull

Blue tit

Canada goose

Carrion crow

Chaffinch

Coal tit

Common buzzard

Common coot

Common pheasant

Common redshank

Curlew

Dunnock

European robin

Goldfinch

Great cormorant

Great tit

Great-crested grebe

Greenfinch

Grey heron

Herring gull

House sparrow

Jackdaw

Kestrel

Little grebe

Mallard

Meadow pipit

Mistle thrush

Mute swan

Nuthatch

Oystercatcher

Raven

Red-billed chough

Teal, Shelduck

Tufted duck

Woodpigeon

Total 37

Birds Seen or Heard in 2012.

Birds Seen or Heard in  2012.
Barnacle goose

Bar-tailed godwit

Black-billed magpie

Black-headed gull

Blue tit

Brent goose

Bullfinch

Canada goose

Carrion crow

Chaffinch

Coal tit

Collard dove

Common blackbird

Common buzzard

Common coot

Common crossbill

Common gull

Common pheasant

Common redshank

Common starling

Common teal

Dipper

Dunlin

Dunnock

Eurasian curlew

Eurasian jay

European robin

Feral pigeon

Fieldfare

Goldcrest

Goldeneye

Goldfinch

Goldfinch

Goosander

Great black-backed gull

Great cormorant

Great spotted woodpecker

Great tit

Great-crested grebe

Green woodpecker

Greenfinch

Greenshank

Grey heron

Grey plover

Grey wagtail

Greylag goose

Herring gull

House sparrow

Jackdaw

Kestrel

Knot

Lapwing

Lesser black-backed gull

Little gull

Long-tailed tit

Mallard

Meadow pipit

Mistle thrush

Moorhen

Mute swan

Nuthatch

Oystercatcher

Pied wagtail

Pintail

Purple sandpiper

Raven

Red kite

Redwing

Ringed plover

Rook

Sanderling

Shelduck

Siskin

Skylark

Song thrush

Sparrowhawk

Tree sparrow

Treecreeper

Turnstone

Wigeon

Winter wren

Woodpigeon

Yellowhammer

Total 81