A Walk and Annual Meal at the Boat House Inn, Parkgate 4th February 2016

A big thank you to all those that signed the lovely Thema Sykes Lapwing card and contributed to printing costs of the group.

On the Wirral Way, Neston.

Reminders of the coal in dustry around Neston.

"Where are we?"

The muddiest bit of the walk - well almost!

And then there was eleven (two not in the picture)- at Donkey Stand, Parkgate.

Annual meal at the Boat House Inn, Parkgate.

Sorry Margaret - I need to have lessons on how to take group photographs!

Walk stats: Distance: 4.6 miles (6.9 miles), Climb: 200'.

Time: 2 hours 16 minutes (3 hour). On  the move walking average: 2.5 m.p.h. Overall Walk average : 2.0 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Sue and Michel, Annie, Roger and Margaret, Phil, David S and Anne, Wendy and Ian, Celia, Sue and Dave P, Sylvia and Dave J, Carol and Tim.

The day didn't start too well, horrendous traffic jam on the M53 / A55 between Chester and the Post House Hotel, meant that five of the group  arrived more that half an hour late.

 Phil and the Upton contingent set off without us, but we managed to catch up with them at the Wirral Way on Boat House Lane, having missed out on the walk on the West and East sides of the golf course.

 The weather was kind to us and was surprisingly warm, almost too warm! At one point several of us discarded some of our outer layers and in fact I walked in a short sleeved shirt for the last hour or so. It was a little on the breezy side on the coast where we exposed to Westerly winds, but thankfully it wasn't a cold wind.

 At the Donkey Stand in Parkate, Sue and Dave P joined the group for the remainder of the walk.

 We arrived back at the Boat House a little too early, so we walked passed the Old Baths on the coastal path for about 20 minutes before returning.

 Birds seen or heard today included: Common blackbird, Black-billed magpie, Goldfinch, Long-tailed tit, Chaffinch, Teal, Mallard, Canada goose, Little egret, Grey heron, Black-headed gull, Common kestrel, Canada goose, Lapwing and Woodpigeon.

 Ian, Anne, Margaret, Sylvia and Dave J joined us for the meal. Tim and Carol eventually made it in time for coffee.

 We had our meal in the conservatory with its superb views across the estuary towards Moel Famau and Little egrets performing over the marshes.

 Everyone enjoyed the food, but there was a problem when it came to sorting out the bill at the end, there seemed to have a mix up with the drinks. 

In future I think it would be easier if all drinks were paid at the bar 

or 

you set up your own individual drinks tab.