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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.

Wednesday, 15 March 2023

Holywell Common, Racecourse, Pantasaph and Pen-y-Ball Top 15th March 2023

The high tops of Yr Eryri decked in snow - taken from Holywell Common.
Tryfan and its neighbours.
Escaping the worste of the mud on this now closed off road track.
Not looking too happy coming in last on this part of Holywell Racecourse!
One happy lamb.
A few more appy lambs in the centre of Holywell Racecourse.
Not as much snow on Moel Famau as I expected!
The view frommy lunch spot at Pantasph Friary.
Some of the Snowdrops on the grass verge still looking good.
At Pen-y-Ball Top trig point, but someone couldn't wait for the rst of the party to arrive!
The Pen-y-Ball Monument erected in 1893 commemorating the marriage of the Duke of York (heir to the then throne).
The former Crooked Horn Inn at Brynford - obviously in the process of being upgraded to new "Destination Holywell Common (Brynford)".
Distance: 8.5 miles. Climb: 720'.
Time: 4 hours 4 minutes. n the move wlking average: 2.4 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.0 m,.p.h.
Temperature: 4.5 Celsius 0 ^.6 Ce;sius (although at times it felt much cooler tha that!).
Beaufort Wind Force: 1 - 2. Light air to light breeze, but at times not even noticeable.
Group: Martyn, Nigel, Fran and Ed.
A good forecast for the morning with the prospect of lots of rain after lunch, meant w needed to make sure we stopped for lunch at the Pantasaph Friary before well before 13-00.
As we crossed Holywell Common we had some superb views of he high tops of Yr Eryri decked in snow. Moel siabod, Tryfan and the Carneddayu could easily be made out.
The first challenge of te day came as we made our way towards Graeana, where the track was so badly damaged that only tractors would be able to negotiate the deep ruts now present  it soon became obvious why several  "road closed" signs had been put up.
It wasn't that easy for walkers either, but at all we suffered was muddy boots!
The star turns today we the good numbers of Spring lambs - the smallest that we have seen tis year on our Wednesday walks.
We made it to our lunch spot just after 12-00, so were able to enjoy lunch in the dry, and using a couple of benches to sit on. We all happy to use the outside facilities at Friary, open, even though the cafe wasn't.
The expcted rain started at 12-50, bu at least wasn't the very heavy rain forecasted.
Our only problem came after visiting the trig point on Peny-Ball Top, the direct path was blocked by vegetaion / gorse that had been cut and left in a place that blocked the path. We eventually arrived at the Pen-y-Ball Monument after about a mile detour.
Birds seen or heard toda included: Dunnock, Common buzzard, Wood nuthatch, Blue tit, Woodpigeon, Herring gull, and Rook. 
The other surprise was the renovation being carried out at the former Crooked Horn Inn - now destined for grater things!
We arrived back at the cars, too early to head for the Blue Bell Inn, so Ed went straight home and the rest of us headed for Rake Hall at Little Stanney.  Ed would have enjoyed the Titanic Plum Porter that was on offer,, as did at least one member of the party.
I even got home in time to clean my boots outside!
An enjoyable walk for some!




















 

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