Above Helsby and Frodsham Hills 13th March 2024

One of the three notices at the start of our walk.

The second notice at thye start of our walk today.

On the trail through Helsby Quarry.

On the way through Snidley Moor Wood to Shepherds Houses.

A male Pintail on the right, but not sure about the one on the left.

Time for a rest and drinks - elevensies!

"I haven't finished yet!"

The Sandstone Trail from the elevensies spot.

Looking across the River Mersey towards Liverpool Cathedrsl as we crossed the field towards Beacon Hill, Frodsham.

The view across the Mersey from Frosham Hill.

On the Sandstone Trail across Frodsham Hill.

Sandstone outcrops on Frodsham Hill.

Looking over Helsby from the Sandstone Trail near Woodhouse Hill.

Liverpool Cathedral from the Sandstone Trail near Woodhouse Hill.

Walk Stats:
Distance: 7.6 miles. Climb: 1339’.
Time: 4 hours 32 minutes.
On the move walking average: 2.3 m.p.h.
Overall walk average: 1.7 m.p.h.
Temperature: 11.1 – 13.7 Celsius
Beaufort Wind Force: 2 – 3, mainly just a Light breeze, but around Memorial on Frodsham Hill it increased to a Gentle
Group: Martyn, Ed, Nigel, Fran and Mike.
This was a last minute switch as the Frodsham area had a better forecast than Flintshire.
This was a good decision as we only experienced a few odd spots of rain.
This was a good varied walk with a fair bit of ups and downs and at times giving us good views across the Mersey.
The only downside to the walk was the paths through the woods around Frodsham and Helsby Hill that challenged us in our attemps to avoid sinking too deep in the mulch!
Lunch was taken at the Memorial on Frodsham Hill, where there were plenty of benches to suit our needs.
Birds seen or heard today included: Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Rook, European robin, Common blackbird, Great tit, Blue tit, Common buzzard, Wood nuthatch, Black billed magpie, Greenfinch, Woodpigeon, Winter wren, Pintail, Shoveler, Grey heron, Moorhen, Collared dove and Dunnock.
Overall a very enjoyable walk, that felt a lot longer than the 7.6 miles recorded!
After walk drinks were enjoyed at the White Lion at Alvanley, where all three Robinsons real on offer were sampled by the group. The pot of tea I had was the largest I have had to date. I gave up after 4 cups.