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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.

Thursday, 25 June 2015

Cwm Dulas and Gopa Wood 25th June 2015

Off Abergele shore wind turbines under construction or repair?
On the beach heading for Llandulas.
"I'm nearly with you, but I got chatting to a couple and had to put them right about the closed Coastal Path between Abergele and the Caravan site at Llandulas."
Rock roses on the slopes of Pen-y-corddyn-mawr.
View from our lunch spot on the southern side of Pen-y-corddyn-mawr.
Is it a lunch time power nap?
"I wonder what this is in my sandwich?
The Norther end of the Clwydians from Gopa Wood.
Distance: 8.6 miles. Climb: 810'.
Time: 4 hours 38 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.4 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.8 m.p.h.
Group: Martyn, Roger, Phil, David S., Celia, Annie, Tim and Wendy.
This turned out to be a walk of surprises in more ways than one! Weather was no problem, although it was a little too warm and humid at times, but we did get a little respite when the breeze picked up momentarily!
 Our first surprise came at the very start of the walk when sections of the beach had been cordoned off as Ringed plover had started nesting there.
 The next problem occurred when workmen approached us on the Coastal Path, asking us whether or not we had seen the notice about the footpath being closed. He didn't appreciate us politely informing him that the notice had been put in the wrong place! This meant that we had to retrace our steps slightly and go along the beach as far as the Caravan site at Llandulas. This was a pleasant alternative to the tarmac route on the Coastal path, although did test waterproofing of some of the group's chosen footwear or this walk!
 Once at Llandulas, no more enforced extensions and optional extensions were unanimously discounted!
 Lunch was taken at our usual spot at the Southern end of  of Pen-y-corddyn-mawr, where we had good views of the route we would take late as we skirted Betws Lodge Wood.
 Some sections of the route were somewhat overgrown with briers and benefited from a trim with secateurs!
 Birds seen or heard today included: Herring gull, Great black-backed gull, Ringed plover, Pied wagtail, Jackdaw, Common blackbird, Common whitethroat, Barn swallow, House martin, Common buzzard, Grey wagtail and Grey heron (David wouldn't like me to miss this one out!)
 We arrived back at the car a little earlier than expected, but no-one complained, and most of us were looking forward to a refreshing drink at the Blue Bell at Halkyn.
 On route Tim had received a message from Carol, saying that she had gone to Birmingham as her far wasn't too well, and Tim suddenly realised that he hadn't got his house key with him! Hopefully Carol's father will recover from his hospital visit, and Tim will be picked up later from Celia who had kindly volunteered to be a hostess.

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