The Wales Coast Path and the Millenium Way(Greenway) from Chester 11th December 2024

The new notice board indicating the start of the Wales Coast Path at The Cop on Sealand Road.

The new finger post at the start of the Wales Coast Path.

The true start of the Wales Coast Path as it crosses  the border into Wales.

"There is some writing on the path here.  I think it is in Welsh."

Superb piece of artwork welcoming you into Wales.

A skein of Pink footed geese flying over the river.

I recognise that footbridge.

Two Mute swans grazing on the grass on the other side of the river.

A Little egret seen from our lunch spot.

The start of our return route after lunch.

The iconic bridge over the A494 that carries the Millennium Way  and our route back to Chester.

The Millennium Way and no-one in view - a rarity!

The new notice board welcoming you to Blacon.

Not far now, just a short way along the towpath to the Telford's basin.

The final approach to the Telford's Basin.

Walk stats: 12.6 miles. Climb: 167,
Time: 5 hours 14 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.9 m.p.h. Overall Walk average: 2.4 m.p.h.
Temperature: 6.3 Celsius at the start. 7.3 Celsius just after lunch.
Beaufort Wind Force: 0 – 1 Mainly calm, but just about reached Light air along he Millennium Way in the afternoon.
Group: Martyn and Fran.
A late decision was made to switch the from the potentially muddy encounters we could expect had we gone on the originally planned walk to this walk that we knew would be mud-free.
Much better than that, we used our bus passes to get to the start of the walk in Chester and ended up with a pint beer for under £2.
This isn’t one of the most exciting of walks, but as expected it was mud-free and we did get views of Moel Famau!
The River Dee was pretty high and flowing very fast, with lots of birds taking advantage of the free ride on the ebbing tide, some facing upstream, letting the river flow carry them backwards.
Lunch was taken, just before the Queesferry A494 road bridge, where we could take advantage of a bench before taking the path away from the Wales Coast Path.
The surprise today was that most of the cyclists were polite and warned us of there approach appropriately, but as ever there is always the odd exception or two. One recumbent cyclist nearly ran into us and was rebuked by his mates and an idiot travelling at high speed on an illegal e-bike.
Not much wind today, and we never saw the Sun all day.
There wasn’t a lot to distract on the walk today, so our average on the move speed was just under 3 m.p.h.
A longer walk that usual, so it took us over 5 hours before we could enjoy liquid refreshment at the Bull and Stirrup. It was so busy that we ended up sitting outside!
Birds seen or heard today included: Common blackbird, Carrion crow, Jackdaw Woodpigeon, Winter wren, Mallard, Pied wagtail, Herring gull, Black headed gull, Reed bunting, Redwing, Great cormorant, Ltttle egret, Mute swan, Oystercatcher, Common blackbird, Moorhen, Long tailed tit, Common redshank, House sparrow, Pink footed goose, Black billed magpie and European robin.
Overall, an enjoyable walk, much better than staying at home doing the house work!
I enjoyed a second pint in the quare Bottle, where there were plenty of seats inside, and I could get warm again before catching the bus home.
Another bonus today was all of the buses we used today were on time.

Chester, Duke’s Drive and Back Along the River 18th September 2024

Most of the group near Chester Weir and the Dee Bridge Handbridge.

A typical posing Great cormorant on Chester Weir.

Chester Weir from the Old Dee Bridge, Handbridge.

Most of the group in Edgar's Field, with the Old Dee Bridge in the background.

The backmarkers entering the old Overleigh Cemetery.

"Where's Paul?"

Gone looking at gravestones again!

The entrance to the Duke's Drive.

On the Duke's Drive.

Not another shaggy dog story!

If they are Welsh blacks, they must be lost!

The invasive Himalayan balsam next to the riverside path.

Scrumble on a mission.

On the riverside path, heading towards Chester.

On Chester Suspension Bridge heading for The Groves.

A Mute swan and a few Mallards on the river at The Groves.

It's high tide, can you see the weir?

Waiting to order our meals in the Old Harkers Arms.

Old Harkers Arms as we were leaving.

Arriving the Square Bottle.

Ed's still at the bar, having bought most of us a £1-99 pint!

Walk stats: 6.9 miles. Climb: 220’.
Time: 3 hours 6 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.6 m.p.h. Overall Walk average: 2.2 m.p.h.
Temperature: 15.86 Celsius to 19.8 Celsius.
Beaufort Wind Force: Mainly 0. Calm, never enough to measure!
Group: Ed, Martyn, Sue and Michel, Paul C, Nigel, Mike, Fran and Scrumble.
The forecast for today was pretty good with little or no chance of rain, little or no rain, but feeling warm.
Thankfully it was a little cooler than forecast, which made very pleasant for walking. Wearing a sun hat / cap was only needed briefly as we approached the end of the walk.
The Upton trio were happy to accept a lift off PC, which meant we set off before 10-00. Paul Scrumble met up with us at Handbridge, just before going through Edgar’s Field.
We went through the old Overleigh Cemetery, and Paul true to character made a detour to visit the grave of a couple we knew.
The lowest temperature of the day was along Duke’s Drive, but this was bonus – a perfect temperature for walking.
We did encounter a little mud as we descended down the field to the river, and again in parts of the riverside path.
It was good that Paul and Scrumble were able to join us and make it all the way round.
We arrived at Old Harkers just before 13-00, perfect timing. Ed was happy to see one of his favourite beers, Titanic Plum Porter was on offer. He didn’t need much persuading to drink a couple of pints of the brew with his meal.
Everyone seemed to enjoy their meals with only clean plates left.
After the meal, most of us went to the Square Bottle, a Wetherspoon where beer was just £1-99 a pint!
Later on, Ed and I went on to the Bull and Stirrup to see if the beers on offer were any better. They weren’t, Ed had a short and I had a cup of tea and to cups of coffee. Just before 17-00, in time for the cheaper meal deal, we ordered a meal. At least, I won’t have to make a meal when I get home.
My bus was on time, and I was home by 18-30.
Birds seen or heard today were but included: Woodpigeon, House sparrow, Common buzzard, Black billed magpie Carrion crow, Wood nuthatch, Great cormorant, Moorhen, Herring gull, Mute swan, Black headed gull, Jackdaw, Mallard, Feral pigeon and Common kestrel.
Overall, a very good walk and meal for the Wednesday group to send Ed off on his exciting Scottish adventure.

Chester, Around the Roodee, Along the Canal and Through Alexandra Park 26th December 2023

At the entrance to the Roman Garden east Newgate, Chester.

The Roman Garden, Chester.

An intersting Memoricial in the Roman Garden, Chester.

The Groves, Chester.

One of many Blackbirds seen toady, but this one was too quick for me to follow!

Looking across the Roodee.

The River Dee as we approached Crane Wharf.

A real Grey heron on the banks of the River Dee.

A Mute swan decides it's time to do a bit of preening.

Homes for solitary bees in Alexandra Park, Hoole.

The statue of Queen Victoria next to my parking spot  at the Castle Car Park.
Walk Stats:
Distance: 7.7 miles. Climb: 203
Time: 2 hours 55 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.8 m.p.h.

Overall walk average: 2.6 m.p.h.

Temperature: 9.2 Celsius at the start but felt much warmer in the sunshine.

8.1 Celsius at the end when the clouds hid the Sun..

Beaufort Wind Force: 0-1. Mainly calm, but occasionally rising to Light air,
The weather today was better than expected, warm enough to discard my jacket and walk in short sleeves.
Birds seen or heard today included: Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Common blackbird, Black billed magpie, Moorhen, Mute swan, Goosander, Great cormorant, Mallard, Great tit, European robin, Black headed gull, Herring gull, Moorhen, Woodpigeon and Feral pigeon.
This turned out to be a fairly quick morning stroll, only slowed slightly by meeting people we knew out enjoying a morning stroll too.
We were too quick to stop for lunch on the walk, so we returned to The Groves for Ed to eat his sandwiches as we basked once more in the warm sunshine. We even saw the Lady Diana set off upstream carrying about five passengers.
Too early to visit Wetherspoons for liquid refreshment so Ed went back to his hotel and I headed home to enjoy a glass of Port ad sample some venison pate.

Another Chester and Queensferry Round 23rd September 2023

The new Wales Coast Path Information Board by nThe Cop on Sealand Road.

The new "pebble structure" on the Wales /England border.

Crossing the border.

All you can expect to see if you complete the whole of the Wales Coast Path.

There always has to be at least one photo with Moel Famau in it!

A solitary Grey heron on the bank of the River Dee.

Great cormorants and Mallard on the banks of the Rver Dee.

A Little egret  on the banks of the Rver Dee.

Approaching the Dragon Bridge, where we will join the Millennium Greenway.

The Millennium Greenway without any cyclysts, a rarity, but it didn't last long!

A few of the Pink footed geese in the fields next to the Millennium Greenway.

A brightly painted marker post on the England / Wales Border.

One foot in England, one foot in Wales.

Which country has the surface that is better for those on a bike?

The new sign as we approached Blacon Station.

All change at Blacon Station!

A good reminder to those on two wheels. 

Perhaps they should make rucksacks with this message on them!

Walk Stats:
Distance: 13.4 miles. Climb: 207’.
Time: 4 hours 45 minutes. On the move walking average: 3.1 m.p.h.
Overall walk average: 2.8 m.p.h.
Temperature: 14 - 17 Celsius.
Beaufort Wind force: 0 – 2. Mainly calm / light air, but briefly reached what felt like a gentle breeze, Ed and Mike.
This wasn’t a walk that would be at the top of our must do list, but it was the best option for me as I had my flu jab just after 09-00 and this was the only way I could get a walk in. Thankfully Ed and Mike agreed to join me.
The first leg of the walk was along the Wales Coastal Path as far as the Queensferry Road Bridge. Thankfully one or two new additions had been added to the Wales Coast Path, a new notice board, a stainless steel piece sculpture / art work, new border inscription and a tiled circular information piece of art work on the path.
Lunch was taken just before the Queensferry Road Bridge, where there was a three person seat that we were able to use before leaving the Wales Coast Path on the way to the Millennium Greenway which we followed back to Chester.
On the Wales Coast Path, we saw more runners than cyclists, but on the Greenway the number of cyclists increased considerably, but today the majority of the cyclists rang their bells or warned us of their approach with a verbal instruction. Thankfully no Lycra louts today, although we did see one hoody wearing person speeding on what looked like an off road motor bike.
The surprise of the day was seeing several hundred Pink footed geese feeding in the fields next to the Millennium Greenway.
Birds seen or heard today included: Great cormorant, Mallard, Woodpigeon, Common blackbird, Jackdaw, Rook, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Herring gull. Lesser black back gull, Black headed gull, Canada goose, Lapwing, Mute swan, Grey heron, European robin, Chiffchaff, Feral pigeon, Little egret, Black billed magpie and Pink footed goose.
It was a good walk for putting miles into your legs, but Ed’s calf muscles didn’t appreciate the largely flat terrain.
We arrived at the Square Bottle to find it very busy, especially around the bar and Mike decided it was too warm and stuffy for him, so decided to for home.
Ed and I stayed for a very enjoyable pint of the Peerless Brewery’s Oatmeal Stout before heading homeward. Bus timing was perfect and I was at home by 16-05!