Harris Hikers Solo Adventures Sunday 31st May 2020

No walk for me today.

A day of rest and time to watch the Sunday Service on wefchurch.org

Garden Life Today

A young Grey squrrel.

A Jackdaw takes over the table.

A female Common blackbird at the water bath.

Common starlings at the table.

Harris Hikers Solo Adventures Saturday 30th May 2020

A Final Saltney Ferry, Balderton and Bretton Round.

A male House sparrow on top of a hedge in Sandy Lane, Saltney.

Hope Mountain from Sandy Lane Saltney.

One of the gardens at Bretton that the path crosses.

Looking across to the AMRC building from the waste ground near Tesco, Broughton.

Waving grasses.

Gulls following the tractor

Creeping cinquefoil

Distance: 6.7 miles. Climb: 125'.

Time: 3 hours 31 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.5 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.9 m.p.h.

I set off at about 08-45, with blue skies above, a gentle breeze and a temperature perfect for walking. It changed very little throughout the walk. 

The birds seen or heard today included: House sparrow, commo starling, Common blackbird, Collared dove, House sparrow, European robin, Great tit, Woodpigeon, Barn swallow, House martin, Goldfinch, Blue tit, Greenfich, Common whitethroat, Winter wren, sedge warbler, Reed warbler, Lapwing, Skylark, Herring gull, Black headed gull, Lesser black back gull, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Reed bunting, Common chaffinch, Rook, Jackdaw, Carrion crow and Common buzzard.

I had the pleasure of hearing several Skylarks singing, but alas, didn't see a single one. 

 I didn't see anyone on the Saltney to Balderton path, and even along the Main Road through Balderton there was ony one othe walker. Cyclists and cars were quite frequent, but all today behaved as they should.

My slower than expected overall walking verage today was a direct consequence of a sad event that happened on the Saltney to Balderton Footpath. My newest GPS, couldn't cope with being used six days a week and stopped picking up satellite signals. I tried switching the device on and off - that didn't work. I then took the battery out, replaced it and switched it on again - still not picking up the satellite signals. Everything else works, so I will have to see if I can get it repaired. Thankfully I know my allowed walking area pretty well by now, so I don't really need the GPS to give my exact location on the map.

On Lesters Lane I saw a party of Blue Tits, and at least two were easily identified as being juveniles.

I decided to use the path from Bretton Lane through the gardens to the access road at the back of Tesco at Broughton. The first time I did this route the gaps in the fences were open and easy to see, but in a short time since then, the vegetation/garden shrubs have grown so much to partially hide the gaps. 

Ed's Welsh Wanders 

Conwy Mountain Circle via Dwygyfylchi From Llanduno Junction Shops.

Distance:10 warm miles.

Shelduck on the Conwy estuary sands.

Foxgloves with view - taken from near the Sychnant Pass.

Rabbit on Dwygyfylchi playground

A Carneddau pony foal takes a drink of milk.

Conwy Castle in the Sun.

Harris Hikers Solo Adventures Friday 29th May 2020

An Early Morning Stroll to Catch the Dawn Chorus and Rising Sun.

Early morning - looking east along Chester Road towards Saltney.

The Wales Coast Path from the Riverside Path south east of Saltney Ferry Footbridge.

Looking across the river towards the Deva stadium.

A Winter wren giving it all he is worth.

A Winter wren burst out in song at the Riverside on River Lane, Saltney.

Looking across the river towards Chester from the Riverside on River Lane, Saltney.

The sun peeps out above the trees.

The sun has just about risen above the trees.

A final lo back towards the Saltney Ferry Footbridge.

A last look across the river towards the rising Sun.

Distance: 2.8 miles. Climb: 34'.

Time: 1 hour 18 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.7 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2. 2 m.p.h.

Sunrise was at 04-52, so I thought setting off half an hour earlier would be early enough. It was early enough to se the Sun rise, but too late to catch the dawn chorus as it starts. Even at 04-15 the dawn chorus was well underway with at least three Blackbirds singing frrom roof tops in the terrace. The Winter wren was another bird that was letting its presence known everywhere on this walk.

Birds seen, but mainly heard this morning included: House sparrow, Woodpigeon, Common starling, Raven, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Canada goose, Dunnock, Common whitethroat, Greenfinch, Barn swallow, Mallard, Moorhen, Goldfinch, Collared dove, Oystercatcher, Blue tit and Blackcap.

As early as it was vehicles were still on the road, one was a milkman on his delivery round, another was a bakery van, presumably the others, including a cyclist were people on their way to work.

On my side of the river, I didn't see anyone, but on the Wales Coast Path several cyclists were heading towards the Higher Ferry Footbridge - they didn't look like the lycra loony brigrade.

The weather this mornng was perfect for walking or even as I did standing on The Riverside on River Lane for ten minutes to watching the Sun start to rise over Chester.

A very enjoyable stroll, well work getting up early and for the first time this week, I didn't need to wear a sunhat on my daily walk.

Harris Hikers Solo Adventures Thursday 28th May 2020

A Roodee and Saltney Ferry Round.

The wooded path, east of Saltney Quay.

The empty Riverside Path between Saltney Quay and Chester Golf Club.

Looking west over the Chester Golf Course.

House martins on the mud bank near Crane Wharf.

House martins collecting mud from the mud bank on the River Dee near Crane Wharf.

A Grey heron the mud bank of the River Dee, north west of Crane Wharf.

Saltney Quay from the Dee Coastal Path.

The clump of blooming Yellow iris on top of the bank, west of the Wales Coast Path.

Distance: 6.5 miles. Climb: 135'.

Time: 3 hours 17 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.7 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.5 m.p.h.

A later than usual start this morning, as I had to wait until an engineer had finishing a maintenance service on my alarm system.

I decided that I would complete a reasonably long walk today as the forecast for later in the week was for the temperatures to rise to the high twenties - not my ideal temperature for walking in.

Again the birds were quite quiet today as were walkers. On my journey from Saltney Quay to Chester Golf Club, I saw only one dog walker.

Numbers picked up as soon as I reached the Roodee, and as well as walkers the cyclists came too.

 Once again the House martins entertained me for a while as they collected mud from the bank of the River dee, near Crane Wharf.

Birds seen or heard today includedL House sparrow, Barn swallow, Mallard, Moorhen, Grey heron, Canada goose, Winter wren, House martin, winter wren, Chiffchaff, Common blackbird, woodpigeon, Oystercatcher, Eurasian jay, Black headed gull, Lesser black back gull, Herring gull, Common whitethroat, Blackcap, Oystercatcher, Black billed magpie and Great tit.

Grey squirrels and a Rabbit added to the wildlife list.

Considering i have walked along the Wales Coast Path between Higher Ferry and Bumper's Lane many times of late, I surprised, but pleased to see a large clump of Yellow iris blooming on top of the river bank.

 I also explored a small wooded area on the east of Saltney Quay. This was a delightful path, more so as the Sun's rays were able to break through the light canopy. It was in this section that I saw the Grey squirrels and Rabbit.

 Home quite early after another good walk and ready for cup of tea, sitting in the shade in the garden.

Ed's Welsh Wander.

Another 5 mile Llangernyw.

Canadian Geese and Goslings (spot them if you can).

Buttercups and an unidentified orange and yellow flower in the churchyard.

Can anyone name the unknown flower in the picture?

Foxgloves on Pilgrims way where gorse bushes used to be.

A horse out in the Sun.

Harris Hiker Solo Adventures Wednesday 27th May 2020

The Pelissiers on Another Walk Around Farndon.

Spot the Swallow.

Home to Queensferry and Back Using Both Sides of the River.

Gull resting on the mud banks of the River Dee, west of Bumper's Lane, Chester.

A Dunnock on the path, north west of River Lane, Saltney.

Looking towards Queensferry from the Saltney Ferry Footbridge.

A Barn swallow on overhead wires.

A House martin on the nearby wire.

A Grey heron standing in the usual "squirrel field".

Traffic crossing the A494 Queensferry roadbridge as well as traffic on the Wales Coast Path.

Hawarden Bridge and the New Flint Bridge from the old Blue Queensferry-Garden City Road Bridge.

Distance: 9.9 miles Climb: 127'.

Time: 4 hours 17minutes. On the move walking average: 2.7 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.3 m.p.h.

Another lovely day for walking, especially before mid-day and before the temperature rose too much.

Birds seemed to be keeping out of the way, but the highlight was seeing about ten House martins at Higher Ferry. A good number actually perched on wires overhead, something I had only associated with Barn swallows before.

The Wales Coast Path was marginally quieter than usual i terms of cyclists, but there was still a few lycra loonies about.

The surprise of the day was seeing four vans on the Wales Coast Path - all from National Resources Wales and were undertaing routine maintenace work around the pumping stations.

Birds seen or heard today included: Housesparrow, Common blackbird, Collared dove, Woodpigeon, Common whitethroat, European robin, Dunnock, Oystercatcher, Black headed gull, Herring gull, Lesser black back gull, Canads goose, Lapwing, Skylark, Winter wren, Barn swallow, Common buzzard, Great tit, Jackdaw, Common chaffinch, House martin and Grey Heron.

Harris Hikers Solo Adventures Tuesday 26th May 2020

The Simplest Saltney Ferry, Balderton and Bretton Round.

One of the many drainage ditches across the Commons.

Vegetation encroaching across the path.

Juveniles waiting to be fed - House sparrows, I think.

The quiet Main Road from Balderton to Bretton.

A large flock of mixed corvids near Balderton.

Rooks and Jackdaws take to the air.

Not something you expect to see on the grass verge - five dead juvenile Balack billed magpies.

I wonder if they fell out of the nest with the strong winds we had last week.

A Lapwing in the field west of Well House Farm.

A Beluga escapes from the prying eyes of the camera.

A Common whitethroat on on Chester Road, Saltney Ferry.

Distance: 6.2 miles. Climb: 80'.

Time; 3 hours 1 minute. On the move walking average: 2.5 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.0 m.p.h.

The weather today, although dry and almost wind free, wasn't ideal fo walking. At times it was too warm and felt somewhat muggy, so much so that I decided to miss out all of the possible extensions.

The Sandy Lane to Balderton path is getting more challernging as the vegetation blossoms and attempts to overgrow the path. The two main culprits are Nettles and Rape, the former seems to home in on the bare legs and sting you and the latter likes to deposit pollen on any part of you that it can.

On route today, I met a couple that were keen birdwatcher and they informed me that they had seen Whinchat, Wheatear, Common redstart and a Reed warbler, birds that as yet I have not seen in this area.. They are obviously far better observers than me. This is a wake up call - you need to do better.

Birds seen or heard today: House sparrow, Woodpigeon, Collared dove, Common starling, Goldfinch, Barn swallow, Common swift. Skylark, Mallard, Sedge warbler, Common chaffinch, Black billed magpie, Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Rook, Lapwing, Chiffchaff, Common whitethroat, Wheatear and Reed warbler.

Overall a good walk for road testing a new pair of sports/activity socks bought this morning.

Harris Hikers Solo Adventures Monday 25th May 2020

A Saltney Ferry - Roodee Round, Including Exploring a Path That Had Forgotten Even Existed.

Looking eastward from the Saltney Ferry Footbridge.

One of three Rabbits enjoying the sunshine.

A Great cormorant in a flap.

I think I can see a couple of golfers.

At Saltney Quayside.

Looking towards the Riverside on River Lane from Saltney Quay.

The start of the "forgotten by me" path from Saltney Quay.

The light at the end of the tunnel - I can now remember where it will come out  in top Saltney, (Mount Pleasant playing field).

Distance: 8.4 miles. Climb: 135'.

Time: 3 hours 25 minutes. On the move walking average:2.9 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.4 m.p.h.

It was such a lovely morning that I decided to set off just after breakfast. It was bright and sunny and very little wind - perfect for walking. Unfortunatley it was perfect for cyclists as well! As I went past a couple on the Wales Coast Path, he commented "it's like the M1 today". He was right, it was only just after 08-30 and cyclists were passing us every few minutes or so. So much for a quiet Bank Holiday Monday.

Even the Roodee footbridge by the railway bridge over the river was busy, but all except me trying to escape from Curzon Park, but this time it was a jogger that was impatient when trying to overtake those in front of him.

Not so many cars at Chester Golf Club, but there did seem to be more actually playing golf.

At Saltney Quay there was a path that looked well used, so I decided to explore where it went. It was heading southward, so I was expecting it to gor west when it met the railway. In fact it turn eastward, and it was only when it went through archway under the railway line that I realised it was a footpath that led to Mount Pleasant in Saltney, a path that I had last used as a teenager.

Birds seen or heard today included: House sparrow, Collared dove, Common whitethroat, Common blackbird, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Common starling, Great spotted woodpecker, Oystercatcher, Chiffcaff, House martin, Barn swallow, Great cormorant, Black headed gull, Herring gull, Lesser black back gull, European robin and Woodpigeon.

Ed's Welsh Wander.

A Quiet Stroll Around Llandudno and the Great Orme on Bank Holiday Monday.

Llandudno Pier on a May Bank Holiday Monday - quieter than usual!

Laburnum Arch in Happy Valley.

 A Silver studded blue on the Invalid Walk.

The now famous Goats grazing on Marine Drive.

Leaving the best till last - the Carneddau from the trig point on the Great Orme.

Distance: 5 miles.

I had to get essential supplies at Llandudno today

I've never seen it so quite there.

Unfortunately the butterfly path was closed but I did get a picture of a Silver studded blue on Invalids Walk