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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, 20 August 2015

Around Bryn Alyn and More 20th August 2015

Bryn Alynh from the South east slopes of Fron Hen.
Llanferres Church.
The track throgh Big Covert, heading towards Maeshafn.
Panorama from Southern slopes of Bryn Alyn.
Bryn Alyn from Western slopes.
The Clywydian Hills ridge panorama from the western slopes of Bryn Alyn.
Walk stats: Distance: 8.9 miles. Climb: 1203'.
Time: 5 hours 14 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.1 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.7 m.p.h.
Group: Martyn, David S and Phil.
The weather today was better than expected, sunny spells, occasional breeze with the only downside being the humidity in sheltered spots or when on paths going through head-high bracken!
 On this occasion, we explore one or two paths not previously used by the group, one of which led to Llanferres church. It was good to see the church open and welcoming people to enter which we did. There was also a sundial in the churchyard and a table in the church porch telling you how to correct the reading for Llanferres time!
 Lunch was taken in Nercwys Forest, where we took the advantage of felled tree stumps or logs to provide suitable seating.
 Just as we started lunch, we received a text from Michel and Sue wishing us well and informing them that the weather in France was a superb day for walking and that they had just finished lunch!
 After lunch our route through the forest presented no problems and we headed to Eryrys on the described route that took you through the Nature Reserve. Thankfully on this occasion it wasn't boggy!
 Rather than taking the path that crosses the top of Bryn Alyn, we decided to take the middle path that contoured around the Western flanks. As we approached the path that we  wanted that would lead us back to the car park at Llanferres, we encountered problems as the path seemed to disappear into head high bracken. Phil seemed to be attacked by the bracken that brought him down and didn't want to release him. Having escaped we hit a fence that we followed down hill, eventually finding the stile that on previous occasions had proved elusive!
 We arrived back at the car, having had a good walk and with dry boots only requiring the removal of "sheep manure" from their treads!
 Birds seen or heard today included: Barn swallow, Meadow pipit, Black-billed magpie, Goldfinch, Woodpigeon, Common coot, Winter wren, Common starling and Common buzzard.
 After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Glasfryn which was pleasantly not too busy. Phoenix Black Bee Honey Prter went down particularly well.
 My legs are still tingling from my close encounter with the bracken (at 19-25)!

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