Rhyl to Rhuddlan and More 22nd November 2007

Tito making a stand at Parliament House, Rhuddlan.

How many donkeys can you get in one shed!

Walk stats: Distance: 10.5 miles; Climb: 454'.
Time: 4 hours 53 minutes; Walking average: 2.5 m.p.h.; Overall walk average: 2.1 m.p.h..
Group: Martyn, Richard; Tito, Celia; Sylvia and Dave J.

The walk started quite bright, but soon deteriorated in to drizzle backed by a cool northerly wind. The drizzle continued on and off for most of the walk, but we did get some sunny spells too! Our first trouble started when a local resident warned us that the riverside path on the western side was reportedly closed. Whether or not we should have continued along the path is debatable, especially as we had to go round one fence that blocked the way forward.

Anyway we were rewarded by seeing the most number of different birds encountered on our walks this year.
The second part of the walk is exactly as Lorna Jenner describes it. Which should have heeded her words and never attempted it at this time of the year. Part of the route across a field was almost like walking through a river, and the walk finished with a long stretch on the road. The only distraction along the road were a group of donkeys, that challenged us to guess just how many donkeys can you get in one shed!
Lunch was a little late. No suitable lunch spot could be found despite Tito's alarm going off. He couldn't wait for lunch so took his medicine without. Eventually lunch was taken, not in an ideal spot, but under the shelter of main road going over river and river path. Tito again provided us with lunch (sandwiches and Walnut cake (courtesy of Fran's connection with M & S). All gratefully received and Richard managed to have a couple more fore his tea.
Birds seen or head today included: Red-breasted merganser( a couple on the river and at least eight on the Marine Lake), Little egret, Curlew, Snipe, Cormorant, Oystercatcher, Fieldfare, Redwing (our first sightings of the year), Mallard, Widgeon, Lapwing, Starling, Chaffinch, House sparrow, Redstart, Robin, Goldfinch, Jackdaw, Black-headed gull, Herring gull, Mute swan, Carrion crow, Buzzard, Shelduck, Little grebe, Dunlin and Redshank.

After walk refreshments were taken at the Britannia Inn. J.W. Lees bitter being in fine fettle as usual, and as always a warm welcome by the two landladies and the locals alike.