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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: 2-10 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 2020:- Martyn Harris, Fran Murphy, Sue and Michel Pelissier, Mike Dodd, David Savage, Wendy Peers, Celia de Mengle, Wendy and Ian Peers, Roger Smith, Paul Collinson, Ed Meads, Nigel and Elaine Taylor, Celia de Mengle, Sue Pearson.

Saturday 16 May 2009

Ragleth Hill, Helmeth Wood and Hope Bowdler Hill 16th May 2009

At the summit pole on Ragleth Hill
Bluebells in Helmeth Wood.
Heading to the summit of Hope Bowdler hill - the last climb of the day! At the summit of Hope Bowdler Hill.
Walk stats: Distance:10.8 miles; Climb:2000' (estimate from Memory map profile, GPS gave 3746' but we know it does cope with windy conditions!).
Time: 5 hours 34 minutes; On the move walking average:2.4 m.p.h.; Overall walk average:1.9 m.p.h.
Group:Martyn, Richard, Roger, Celia, Sylvia and Dave J.
What a superb walk this turned out to be. The weather forecast wasn't good to say the least, but apart from a couple of short showers, rain and hail included, we were very fortunate. Indeed we had wonderful spells o f sunshine. The wind however was something different! On the top of Ragleth Hill it was strong, but as we crossed the ridge of Hope Bowdler Hill it was a challenge to stay upright let alone make any forward progress!
This turned out to be another Bluebell Wood walk, wherever we looked they seemed to be in bloom as were many other flowers particularly in the hedgerows.
Birds seen or heard today included:Chaffinch, Robin, Wren, Swift, Swallow, Greenfinch, Chiffchaff, Willow warbler, Blackbird, Carrion crow, Magpie, Woodpigeon, Redstart, Yellowhammer (my bird of the day!), Great spotted woodpecker, Raven, Skylark, Treecreeper, Great tit, Buzzard and possibly a Cuckoo.
After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Buck Inn where Jennings Tom Fool was the best on offer.
This is a walk to be repeated, but next time I don't think we will visit North Hill farm, instead we will head straight up to the Battlestones on Willstone Hill!


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