Gadlys, Nant y Flint and East of Holywell 13 September 2007

View across the Dee Estuary.

One of the many small harbours between Flint and Mostyn.

The new leader of the group!

Walk stats: Distance: 12.5 miles; Climb: 1534';

Time: 6 hours 37 minutes; Walking average: 2.5 m.p.h.; Overall walk average: 1.9 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Richard, Sue and Michel P, Sylvia and Dave J, Fran and Tito.

This walk started in the centre of Bagillt at a slightly later than usual start, taking in to account the pre-4-00 p.m. curfew at the Britannia Inn. The numbers today were swelled by the return from holidays of some of the members. Weather was good, if somewhat too warm and humid at the start, but ended in glorious sunshine. This turned out to be a very much up and down walk, but frequently gave us unexpected and magnificent views across the Dee Estuary and beyond. We couldn't quite see Blackpool tower, but Liverpool Cathedral could clearly be seen.

Lunch was taken a little earlier than usual when the leader of the group gave in to the chorus of demands for a lunch stop. This walk isn't the best of walks for suitable lunch spots, and this was as good as we were going to get without continuing for another few miles.

The walk ended with the challenge of getting around a maize field, but thankfully the difficult stile by the new housing estate at the west end of Bagillt had been removed. Damsons, blackberries and for some Slow berries slowed the group down at times, but the flavour of the Damsons were at their best and not to be missed.

Birds seen or heard today: Herring gull, Robin, Carrion crow, Goldfinch, Buzzard and Raven.
This was Sue P's first walk after escaping from UHS prison, and kindly treated us all to an excellent pint of J.W.Lees bitter at the Britannia Inn.