A Riverside Walk with an added Sealand and Hawarden Bridge Loop 30th Deceber 2020

A Riverside Walk with an added Sealand and Hawarden Bridge Loop.

Heading towards the sun over Queensferry.

Approaching the Blue (Red dragonBridge over the A494 Welsh Road.

Snow on the Clwydian Hills - seen from the Blue (Red dragon, Bridge).

A colourful Route 5 signpost.

Approaching the Blue Queensferry Road Bridge from Hawarden Bridge.

Hitching a ride in "windy" conditions?

Distance: 13.0 miles. Climb: 198'.
4 hours 48 minutes. On the move walking average: 3.0 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.7 m.p.h.
Group: Martyn.

I was in two minds as to whether to walk today, especially after the Chester Branch cancelled their walk, but at least i was walking from home so icy roads wasn't an issue.

I set off in my full Paramo winter gear, anticipating wintery showers and that's what I got. after an hour the rain, almost sleet at times was in my face, and I almost decided to head back for home. Thankfully I pressed on and after an hour of feeling sorry for myself, it cleared up and remained dry for the rst of the walk - at times it was even sunny!

This was the first time that I had explored the link from the Wales Coastal Path to the Hawarden Bridge to Chester Path /Greenway Cycle route that crossed the A494 Welsh Road via the Blue (Red Dragon) Bridge.

Although not planned, I ended up walking with a dog walker for quite a while on the Hawarden Bridge Loop, naturally keeping to the rcommended social distance all the time. He shared some interesting memories of his time working at the former John Summers Steel Works that we approached on this part of the walk. I even have another path to investigate in the future, although it is a there and back path on the north side of the river from Hawarden Bridge.

I don't know what wa happening in North Wales today, but I was surprised to see at least 4 private jets come into land at Hawarden Airport, no Beluga and only the Police Helicopert took off!

Birds seen or heard today included: Mallard Moorhen, Common blackbird, Collard dove, Woodpigeon, European robin, Goldfinch, Long-tailed tit, Common kestrel, Redwing, Fieldfare, Common starling, Grey heron, Great cormorant, Black headed gull, Herring gull, Black billed magpie, Pied wagtail, Grey wagtail, Commo chaffinch, Rook, Jackdaw, Dunnock, Winter wren and Carrion crow.

Overall an enjoyable walk, no stopping for lunch and ready to put my feet up when I arrived home!