Around The Little Orme and Bryn Euryn 31st December 2022

 

Oystercatchers and Eurasian curlew on the field opposite the Lifeboat Station.

Fulmar takiung up a nesting site on the cliffs in the Little Orme Quarry.

Grey Seals in Porth Dyniewaid.

Grey Seals in Porth Dyniewaid.

Grey Seals swimming off Porth Dyniewaid.

Grey Seals in Porth Dyniewaid.

Grey Seals in Porth Dyniewaid.

Grey Seals swimming off Porth Dyniewaid.

A Common redshank sharing our lunch spot by the pool at Rhos-on Sea.

Walks stats:

Distance: 9.0 miles. Climb: 722'.

Time: 4 hours 2 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.4 m.p.h.  Overall walk average: 2.0 m.p,h.

Temperature: 10.2 Celsius at Porth Dyniewaid, 12.2 Celsius at lunch and 11.2 Celsius towards the end of the walk.

Beaufort Wind Force: 0 - 1. Calm to light air. Hardly noticeable.

Group: Martyn and Ed.

The weather forecasts for today kept on changing, so both of us thought it was worthwhile making the effort to at least start the walk and at least visit Porth Dyniewaid to see the Grey seals.

We weren't disappointed and Ed counted a least 60 before giving up counting. We were  informed that it was just about at the peak at the moment and at least 7 pups had been seen with even more at Pigeon Cave (11 pups) seen from Marine Drive.  Members of the Wildlife Trust were undertakling a count by taking photographs and using IT to do the count.

Both of us were happy to miss out the trig point on the Little Orme and Bryn Euryn and opted for gentle stroll that eventually meant a lot more road walking on quiet roads through the houses,

Lunch was taken by the pool / play area at Rhos-on-Sea where were we were happy to use the seats under cover sheltering from the rain which literally started just as we arrived at Rhos-on-Sea.

It just about stopped by the time we were ready to set off after lunch, as we weaved our way through the houses to rejoin the original planned walk at Colwyn Bay Rugby Club.

Our only complaint today, was the fact that it was far too warm for the Winter gear we were wearing - it was a "boil in the bag" day, what a joy to be able to but on a dry shirt at the end of the walk!

The worst of the rain started just as we arrived back at the cars, but at least there were facilities there for us to change out of our wet gear into dry gear.

Birds seen or heard today included: Oystercatcher, Eurasian curlew, Herrng gull, Woodpigeon, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, European robin, Fulmar, Common starling,  Pied wagtail, Common redshank, Meadow pipit, Great black backed gull, Common blackbird and House sparrow.

An enjoyable walk.marred onl by the fact that my glasses kept steaming up, resulting in me using eight hankerchiefs wiping them and my continually sweating brow!

Arriving home, an email from Fran made my day as it informed us to meet at the Eastgate Clock at 13-45, an hour later than originally planned.  It now means I can go to the morning church service at WEF and still walk into Chester to meet up for the walk around the city walls.

Celebrating the walk was for me done at home where a drop of Jameson's in my cup of tea went down well!

Harris Hikers Walks and Dates December 2022

 A Shorter Walk each month.

Some of group's regular walkers have suggested that it would be a good idea to include one walk each month that is shorter (5 - 6 miles) that might tempt anyone put off by a 10 mile walk, to joins us. 

These walks will be on the last Wednesday each month.

I am happy to receive suggestions for suitable short walks, particularly if they free from stiles.

Suggestions for other Wednesday Walks are also welcome.

All Covid Restrictions in Wales have been lifted,  so it is no longer the law to wear face coverings in any situation, although you may feel more comfortable in some situations to do so.  I will still have my face covering with me, you may wish to do the same.

 Although it is no longer a law, you may also want to use them in places like as Public Conveniences (PCs), shops or on Public transort.

When car sharing you may also want to continue to wear face coverings.

Remember to let me know that you plan to walk so that it becomes easier to arrange car sharing. in addition it helps me to know how many route maps I need to bring and on special occasions how many pieces of fruit cake will be needed.

Saturday 3rd December 2022.

Traeth Lafan and Its Foothills

Distance:7-8 miles. Climb:1000'.

Start: Abergwyngeryn Free Car Park Grid ref: SH0652728. Post code: LL33 0LF

PC (opens about 09-30) nearby and a cafe at the outdoor centre that allows walkers to use the toilets (opens earlier than PC.)

Leave Chester at 08-30 a.m.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, Mike, Ed.

(Those not walking: )

This walk taken from Dave Berry's book "Walks On the North Wales Coast". The Traeth Lafan and it Foothills. This walk is an annual favourite and has in the past given us some wonderful experiences, especially in Winter trampling through soft fluffy knee deep snow, that didn't stick or wet our legs.  You never know we may get some  snow, this time too. It should be worthwhile bringing binoculars with you as we may visit The Spinnies Nature Reserve on the way back to our car.

This walk is described as walk of contrasting coastal and upland scenery with good views from the higher points on the North Wales path.

 This time we will use the road to The Spinnies, and avoid the unpleasant smelly muddy experience of taking nthe path through the farm yard,

 High tide is at about 19-00 and is about 8.5 m (27.7'), so the coastal birds may still be some way off around the time we get there mid afternoon. We should have no problem walking along the beach to Traeth Lefan.

Wednesday 7th December 2022.

Fron Hen, Loggerheads and More.

Dstance: 7-8 miles. Climb: 1250' Start: Layby (Plymog) on the A494 Mold to Ruthin Road, about 1/2 mile South of Llanferres. Grid ref: SJ187597.  . Post Code: CH7 5ST

Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, Sue and Michel, Nigel, David S, Nigel, Wendy, Ed .

(Those not walking: Mike, Fran)

This walk explores the lower slopes of the Clwydians on the way to Loggerheads and returns to Llanferes along the Western edge of Big Covert.

Saturday 10th December 2022.

Gronant, Prestatyn, Talacre and The Point of Ayr.

Postponed - dier weather forecast for North Wales.

Distance: 10 miles. Climb: 200'.
Start at Gronant Dunes Car Park on Shore Road: Grid Ref: SJ090837 This road off the A548, Moston Road and signposted to Presthaven Sands / Gronant Dunes.This is a new starting point.
Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.
This walk isn't usually one we do at this time of the year as the Little terns have long gone to warmer climes. but it is still worth bringing binoculars as Winter visitors have started to arrive. We may even be lucky enough to see a  Snow bunting. 

High tide is at about 11-45, and is  229.3' / 8.9 m. The route starts by heading north down Shore Road to Presthaven Sands where will first head west through the golf course to Prestatyn's Barkby Beach. We will then walk on the beach or follow the path along the top of the dunes. After visiting the RSPB Viewpoint and Visitor Hut, we will probably continue along the beach towards the Point of Ayr Lighthouse. Hopefuly we will find a suitable place to have lunch on the beach, unless we have walked fast enough to reach the picnic tables next path to the Point of Ayr RSPB hide. If time allows and everyone is willing, we will visit the RSPB Hide, before returning to Presthaven Sands through The Warren Nature Reserve.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, .
(Those not walking: Mike, )

Wednesday 14th December 2022.

A Walk Around the Great Orme.

Distance: 8 miles. It can be easily be shorted or extended on the day to suit the needs of the group.

Climb: 500'-1000', depending on the route we take.

Start at Llandudno West shore. Roadside parking near the boating lake. Grid ref: SH771820.

Leave Chester at 08-30 a.m.

We will probably start by heading up Marine Drive and taking the Monks' Path upto the plateau. Following the paths on the north west side of the Great Orme. After visiting the summit trig point we will probably head for Happy Valley for lunch. At lunch we can decide if we want to return to the West shore via the invalids' terrace or return to the summit and drop down the zig-zag steps.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, Nigel, Fran, Ed.
(Those not walking: Mike, Wendy, Sue and Michel, David S).

Saturday 19th December 2022.

The Little Orme and Bryn Euryn. 

Postponed due to bad weather forecast - too much rain and still very cold!

Distance: 8 miles Climb: 800'.
Roadside parking
Leave Chester at 08-30. Roadside parking next to Paddling Pool and PC on Coast Road at Craig y Don, East side of Llandudno. Grid ref: SH799821.
It may be a little early, but there is a chance that we will be able to see seals i Porth Dyniewaid.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, .

(Those not walking: Mike)

After the Little Orme we head along the coast. High tide is at about 07-00, so we will probably be able to walk alog the beach towards Rhos-on-Sea. After climbing out of Rhos-on-Sea to Bryn Euryn. On a clear day we should get good views from the top of Bryn Euryn to compliment those we get from the Little Orme. The return route to the start is largely along quiet lanes.

Wednesday 21st December 2022. 

A Pale Heights, Hatchmere and Delamere Forest Round.

Please contact David S if you plan to walk today, as he is thinking of changing it a little, although it will still start from The Yeld Car Park.

Distance: 8 miles Climb: 700'.
The Yeld Car Park, Kelsall. Grid ref: SJ532602
Leave Chester at 09-30. DS informs me that the car park at The Yeld doesn't open until 10-00, so we don't want to get there too soon..

Those planning to walk: David S, Sue and Michel, Nigel?, Fran?.

(Those not walking: Mike, Martyn, Ed)

This is a walk that DS recommended would be a good Wednesday walk for our group.

The walk starts by heading to Pale Heights with its superb views (weather permitting) , before dropping down to the Visitor Centre and Blakemere Moss.  The walk heads eastward towards Norley and Hatchmere before returning to the start through Delamere Forest.

Gaiters advisable!

Saturday 24th December 2022.

No planned walk, although one can be arranged on request.

Wednesday 28th December 2022.

No planned walk, although one can be arranged on request.

Saturday 31st December 2022.

The Little Orme and Bryn Euryn. 

Distance: 8 miles Climb: 800'.
Roadside parking
Leave Chester at 08-30. Roadside parking next to Paddling Pool and PC on Coast Road at Craig y Don, East side of Llandudno. Grid ref: SH799821.
It may be a little early, but there is a chance that we will be able to see seals i Porth Dyniewaid.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, Ed.

(Those not walking: Mike)

After the Little Orme we head along the coast. High tide is at about 07-00, so we will probably be able to walk alog the beach towards Rhos-on-Sea. After climbing out of Rhos-on-Sea to Bryn Euryn. On a clear day we should get good views from the top of Bryn Euryn to compliment those we get from the Little Orme. The return route to the start is largely along quiet lanes.

Yet Another Delamere Forest Round 21st December 2022

 

Topiary seen on the walk.

Everyone made it to Pale Heights in the sunshine.

Eddisbury Castle / Castle Ditch found!

Walkers: Sue, Michel, Nigel & David S (Leader for the Day)

Distance: 8 miles

Height Gained: 750 ft

Time: 4 hrs

 All approximate due to vagaries of the OS Tracker.

 Parking was at Yeld Lane Kelsall.  We set off east and then turned south along the Sandstone Trail.  Before reaching the main road we turned east again to pick up the ‘Roman Road’.  On reaching Stoney Lane we continued east to search for the access to Eddisbury Hill Fort.  We found this after about half a mile and decided to investigate.  We found the hill fort at its East Gate and followed its edge enjoying good views of the Cheshire Plain.  We were very soon at the Toposcope at Pale Heights where the views were almost 360^o .  By this time all plans to follow the originally published route were abandoned and we decided to descend to the Delamere Visitor Centre where lunch was taken on a picnic table.  After lunch we took the Linmere Trail before returning to the car via Eddisbury Lodge and the Sandstone Trail.

 

A cold day but with plenty of sunny intervals and no more than a gentle breeze.

Around The Great Orme 14th December 2022

All photo times - 1 hour , I forgot to change the clock time on my camera!

The atmospheric view of the norther Carneddau from West Shore Llandudno.

The first of the goats seen today.

The Monks' Path looks steep from here!

The Monks' Path - easy peasy whe you'ver got a Leki!

Wind turbines in the Irish Sea.

The Rivals on the Lleyn Peninsula from the Great Orme Plateau.

Heading towards the Great Orme limestone pavements.

"Yes I am a Raven!"

Just to prove we did make it to the trig point on the Great Orme.

Icicles on the north side of the Great Orme.

The first Grey seal seen in Pigeon Bay.

Grey seal swimming in Pigeon Bay.

Even more Drey seals on the beach in Pigeon Bay.

Sounds of the sea and more!

The Little Orme above Llandudno Pier from Marine Drive.

Llety'r Filiast Burial Chamber, The Great Orme.

Wild goats on the limestone  cliff faces abobe the "Igam Ogam".

The Carneddau at sunset from the "invalids' terrace".

Walk stats: 

Distance: 8.2 milers. Climb: 1621'.

Time 5 hours 5 minutes. On the move walking aveage: 2.0 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.6 m.p.h. 

Temperature: 3.2 Celsius (at the trig point at lunch time).  mainly around 4 Celsius, but 7.2 Celsius on the Monk's Path in the sunshine.

Beaufort Wind Force: Mainly 0 - 2, but on the summit reached 3 -  very cold gentle breezethat we were very glad to to find shelter from by the picnic tables near the summit cafe.

Group: Martyn, Nigel, Fran and Ed.

The temperatur on the car thermometer was was - 4 Celsius for most of the journey, but we arrived at Llandudno West Shore in warm sunhine, sio warm that wearing shortys wouldn't have been a problem!

Climbimg up the Monks' Path meant we felt a little warmer than was comfottable, but we did get good vies over the Conwy esturay towards the Carneddau and over Puffin Island to Anglesey.

As we headed around the plateau we had good views towards the Clwydian Hills,which seemed to be decked in more snow than the what we could see on the northern Carneddau.

At one point we even saw Moel Famau.

Lunch was taken using one if the picnic table on the southern side of the cafe, sheltered from the wind, bt sitll in the sunshine.  An 86 year old local stopped by an chatted for a while, sayng that he did the Great Orme walk most weks, despite his wife tellng him not to do so!

Aftewr lunch we headed down past St, Tudno's Church to the Marine Drive in the hope of seeing Grey Seal in Pigeon Bay,  We weren't disappointed!

Our rerturn route took up Fairy Glen, past the ski slope and down past half wy station and the Great Orme Copper Mine (well worth a visit in the Summer Season). 

The final part of the walk was along the "Invalds' Terrace", a gentle stroll that took us pass the "Igam Ogam / zig-zag" path to the summit. this path gave s superb views of the Carneddau as the Sun slowly sank below the horizon.

Birds seen t herard today included: Common redshank, Oystercatcher, Herring gull, Jackdaw, Carion crow, Raven, Great cormorant, Meadow pipit, European robin, Miste thrush, Common blackbird and Red billed chough.

Despite Ed trying to encourage u to go to the Palladium in Llandudno, we opted to to head for The Rake for acupof tea. The other opted for an enjoyable pint of Brimstag Brewery's Trappers Hat.

After dropping of the Upton lot,, I headed to St., James' Avenue to deliver a Christma car to DS. I knockedon the door, but no=one answered, DS was in the garage, but he didn't hear me knocking!

The Christmas lights in Upton, were pretty good in Cross Green, but those in St. James' Avenue were beven better!

 

Around Fron Hen, Loggerheads and Big Covert 7th December 2022

On the way to Fron Hen.

Looking towards bthe Clwydians from Fron Hen.

On the trtack heading eastward rtowards Loggergeads.

Bright yellow fungi on gorse.

On the old Mold to Ruthin road.

One less awkward stile to go.

Our luynch seats at Loggerheads.

The Afon Alyn at Loggerheads.

Crossing the bridge on the way towatds Colomendy.

Moel Famau Jubilee Tower from the path in Big Covert.

Walk stats:

Distance: 8.4 miles. Climb: 1329'.

time: 4 hours 32 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.2m.p.h.  Overall walk average: 1.8 m.p.h.

Temperature: 4.4 Celsius - 6.7 Celsius.

Beaufort Wind Force: 0-1. Hardly enough to measure.

Group: Martyn, Sue and Michrl, Nigerl and Wendy.

Birds seen or heard.: Carrion crow, Common kestrel Common buzzard, Wood nuthatch, Redwing, Fieldfare, Common blackbird, European robin, Winter wren, Blue tit, Pied wagtail and Grey wagtail.

This was a superb day for walking, bright blue skies, sunny and very little wind. In the su it felt pleasantly warm.

The views in the morning were good nd somne of the more eagle-eyed amongst us claim to have seen snow on the higher hills towards Snowdonia.

Lunch was taken at Loggerheads, where we all sat on the seats around a large oak tree. Thankfully most of us were in the Sun as well.

The afternoon walk took us east of the main road back to the start, not quite as oiginally planned, but the same as we did the last time we did the walk. It was while on the path through Big Covert thast we had our one and only view of Moel Famau.

Overall an enjoyable, celebrated by a drinks at the Druids Inn at Llanferres. Purple Mooses's Snowdonia Ale was the beer of choice although two did have tea!  Wendy bought the round as it would be her birthday next week, but she isn't able to make the walk then.

Unfortunately DS had early morning car problems, and opted to take it to the garage, and get it sorted, rather than switch car and sort the car out later.

 

Traeth Lavan and Its Foothills 3rd December 2022

The Afon Aber at Abergwyngregyn.

Looking above the Chapel at Abergwyngregyn towards the Traeth Lavan Foothills.

Looking over Abergwyngregyn towards Traeth Lavan.

Thankfully the high tops of the Carneddau are not on our route today.

The easy part of the walk today.

Investigating a path - how does it get to the other side of the A55?

Penrhyn Castle from the minor roadnear the Gatehouse.

A Grey heron, one of the birds that we saw at The Spinnies.

Looking wstward towards Penrhyn Castle from the coasta path near Cwrtiau.

Walk stats:

Distance: 9.0 miles. Climb: 1168'.

Time: 4 hours 32 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.5 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.0 m.p.h.

Temperature: 3.5 - 7.2 Celsius, mainly around 4 Celsius.

Beaufort Wind Force: 2 - 3, light to gentle breeze (max 8.2 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Mike and Ed.

A good day for walking, cool at times, feeling quite warm in the sun at lunch, where we sat in short sleeves at a picnic table at The Spinnies car park on the coast.

The best views of the day came as we crossed foothills on the North Wales Footpath. At one point the Sun was shining over Anglesey, and we all sad we should have been doing the Beaumaris / Penmon Walk.

We called in at The Spinnies, but most of the birds must have been in hiding!

As we had lunch, a former teacher from UHS recognise Mike and came across to have a chat.

After lunch it was along the coastal path, part of which had been made safer by rerouting through the adjacent field.

The track west of Cwrtiau, was better than on previous occasions, but still needs attention considering it is part of the Wales Coastal Path.

Birds seen or heard today included: European robin, Winter wren, Carrion crow, Herrig gull,Common redshank, Eurasian curlew, Grey heron, Mallard and Moorhen.

An enjoyable walk, celebated bydrinks at The Albion in Conwy.