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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, 17 December 2015

A Blue Bell Inn Walk Around Quarries 17th December 2015

Mountains tops in the sky as we left the cars at the start of the walk.
Limekiln on the the South side of Moel y Gaer, Rhosesmore.
"Don't run away, itn may look like a replica, bti it it's the real thing!"
Michel in listening mode and happy bush hunters still in the distance!
The view from our lunch spot, looking across the estuary towards the Wirral.
Happy bush opportunities as well!
Who is that emerging after exploring the Pen yr Henblas Quarry?
It's a happy ? hunter!
"Are these identical twins?"
At the Halkyn Mountain trig point.
At least one person suggests the temperatures are 6 degrees  above the norm for mid-December!
"why does it say keep out?
There's always one poser!
Walk stats: distance: 9.3 m.p.h. Cimb: 1259' (Possibly wind assisted at times!).
Time: 4 hours 44 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.5 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.0.m.p.h.
Group: Martyn, Sue and Michel, Annie, Phil, Tim, Wendy, David S. and Celia.
This walk was based on Steve's Blue Bell Inn, Halkyn walk 3, but adapted to avoid most of the muddy sections!
 We set off with waterproof on as there was still rain in the air, but it wasn't long before some of us were suffering from "boil in the bag syndrome" and decided that taking off our waterproofs/Winter jackets was the best option. However as the weather forecast suggested it wasn't long before we had to change our minds. However it was still warm and the rain itself wasn't too unpleasant, Despite a little grumbling re-lunch spots we carried on past the Pen-y- Pwll Quarry and ended up having lunch in a sheltered spot on the West side of the Pen-y-Henblas Quarry.  We had good vies across the Dee Estuary towards Liverpool where the Anglican Cathedral could clearly be seen.
 Wendy provided everyone with Jaffa Cakes as it was her "?" birthday tomorrow. This was a reminiscent flavour for many of us and at one point even large Waggon Wheels were mentioned! Thank you Wendy and enjoy your day on Friday.
 After lunch we had hoped to explore the Pen-y-Henblas Quarry, but the route in at the North west end had been recently blocked off by substantial new fencing.  Consequently we had to go along the road yet again. when we arrived at the original entrance, access was still available, but notices proclaimed that motorised vehicles were now banned. Has there been a serious accident that led up to all this expensive fencing been put in place since our last walk just sixth months ago?
 After lunch was much better and waterproofs could be discarded and "boil in the bag syndrome" was a thing of the past!
 I'm getting a little worried, on the last two walks our overall walking average has been 2-0 m.p.h., and once again I had to think of extensions in order to get back to the Blue Bell Inn at Halkyn close 15-00 when the Post Office Opens!
 Birds seen or heard today included: Carrion crow, Greu Heron, Jackdaw, Common kestrel, Raven and Mistle thrush.
After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Blue Bell Inn at Halkyn, where for once we were grateful that they hadn't lit the fire!
 Ther Blue Bell Bitter and the Sam's Medium Cider went down particularly well.

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