The West Kirby Round 24th December 2009.

The West Kirby Marine Lake - the start of the walk and the end of the walk!

Waiting at the Margaret's mince pies stop!

Walk stats: Distance:7.4 miles; Climb:264'.

Time:3 hours 7 minutes; On the move walking average:2.7 m.p.h.;Overall walk average:2.4 m.p.h.

Group:Martyn, Richard, Roger, Time, Sylvia, Dave J., and Georgie.

Not the best of weather conditions, but at least it was dry and the wind on the coast was almost none existent! Distant views were another matter with low cloud/mist accompanying us throughout. Hopeful of some good birdwatching, but alas the tide was too far out and the birds near enough to see were only few. The star birds on the Marine Lake were the Goldeneye (male and female) and the Mergansers (also male and female).

Not to be outdone, we decided to make a detour to the Gilroy Nature Reserve where the drama of the day was to take place. Georgie the Jack Russel, no longer a puppy, decided to chase some ducks on the pond by running across thin ice. Unfortunately she went through the ice and had to be rescued by Dave wading knee deep in cold icy water!

At this point Dave, Sylvia and Georgie made a rapid return to the car while he rest of us carried on the planned route, at this point just over a mile away from the start.

We stopped at the War Memorial on the top of Grange Hill, where we had the luxury of park benches to sit on and Margaret's mince pies to savour.

Birds seen or heard today included:Goldenye, Merganser, Black-headed gull, Herring gull, Common gull, Redshank, Curlew, Shelduck, Oystercatcher, Meadow pipit, Blue tit, Great tit, Coal tit, Blackbird, Coot, Moorhen, Mallard, Fieldfare and Dunlin.

After walk drinks were taken at the Dee View in Heswall, where the beer sampled was a Cottage brew called "Christmas Cracker", which didn't quite live up to its name.

Both photos were taken by Richard.

Llyn Elsi and Sarn Helen 19th December 2009.

On the edge of Llyn Elsi - the first time the batteries for the camera were warm enough to operate!

Looking South across Llyn Elsi from the Memorial stone.
Looking towards Betws-y-coed from the Miners' Bridge 1 photo by Richard.

Relaxing after lunch at the Miners' Bridge at Betws-y-coed - photo by Richard.

Walk stats:Distance:6.1 miles; Climb:1265'.

Time: 3 hours 50 minutes. On the move walking average:2.4 m.p.h.; Overall walk average:1.6 m.p.h.

Group:Martyn, Richard, Mike, Sylvia and Dave J.

Didn't look carefully enough at the route descriptions and a walk of 6 miles and 4.5 miles only turned out to be 6.1 miles! At least we had the best of the weather and we were back home in daylight, well almost!

This was a cold crisp day with temperatures remaining below freezing throughout, and no sun this time to make us feel warm. Nevertheless this was a lovely walk, all the better for having done it with a little snow underfoot and an absence of people!

The first incidence that occurred was the repeated "fruity smell" that was evident periodically. Martyn was a little concerned that his flask containing fruit tea had started to leak. Investigating further showed that the flask was still intact, and the "fruity smell" was coming from Sylvia chewing gum!

We saw several Robins on route, but none on this occasion chose to follow us around the lake.

Lunch was taken just after crossing the Miners' Bridge otherwise we would have been in danger of completing the walk having carried out packed lunches for nothing!

Birds seen or heard today included: Robin, Wren, Blue tit, Coal tit, Great tit, Herring gull, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Black-billed magpie, Buzzard, Siskin, Jay, Mallard, Goldeneye, Lesser black-backed gull, Chaffinch and Dipper.

After walk drinks were enjoyed in the warm environs of the Britannia Inn at Pentre Halkn. Once again Lees Bitter and Brewers Dark were the favoured drinks, although a pot of tea came into the picture too!

Around Rhuddlan and the Clwyd Estuary 2009.

Follow the leader, who in this case is Richard.

Rhuddlan Castle in bright sunshine.What are you looking at, they went the other way! It wasn't me honest!

Walk stats: Distance: 11.0 miles; Climb:412'.

Time:4 hours 31 minutes; On the move walking average:2.7 m.p.h.; Overall walk average:2.4 m.p.h.

Group:Martyn, Richard, Sue and Michel, Sylvia and Dave J., Tim, Tito, Celia and Paul.

A good day for walking and bird watching too, especially in the morning. Cold at times, but on the move kept most of us warm. Once past the castle, an appropriate lunch spot could not be found and it wasn't 'till we were on the riverside at 13-30 that we managed to sit down for lunch. Even then there was much grumblings, but at least we could sit down on dry concrete and under cover had it rained! Tim provided Christmas cake (not of his own making) for everyone and Sylvia provided some very moreish home made damson chocolates which seemed to kick start the group for the final stretch back to the car.

The path had recently been tarmacked and a pleasant new section allowed us to follow the river a little more before crossing the railway footbridge, leaving us only a few hundred yards back to the car.

Birds seen or heard today included: Red-breasted mergansers, Shelduck, Dunlin, Lapwing, Mallard, Herring gull, Black-headed gull, Lesser black-backed gull, Greater black-backed gull, Wigeon, Little egret, Mute swan, Blackbird, House sparrow, Blue tit, Great tit, Curlew, Black-billed magpie, Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Buzzard, Redshank, Oystercatcher, Cormorant, Starling, Rook, Pheasant, Grey wagtail and Sparrowhawk.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn where the bitter and Brewers Dark were the beers of choice.

Only Tito and Celia are able to tell the story as to why they arrived at the Britannia Inn half an hour after the rest of us. At least they told the same story!

Mynydd Garthmym, Capel Garmon Burial Chamber, Dinas Mawr and the Machno Falls 12th December 2009.

The view from the footbridge over the Afon Conwy looking towards the coast.Where are those slow coaches?

Snowdonia - one of the best views of the day fro the summit of Mynydd Garthmyn.

The Capel Garmon Burial Chamber or "David don't you know I'm always right!".

A view of Snowdonia just before lunch.

A Roman Bridge over Afon Machno.

Walk stats: Ditsatnce: 9.7 miles; Climb:1828'.

Time: 5 hours 6 minutes; On the move walking average: 2.4 m.p.h.; Overall walk average:1.9 m.p.h.

Group:Martyn; Roger, Celia and Dave J.

Yet another glorious day for walking, bright and sunny and warm in the morning, another day to regret leaving the shorts at home!

The views towards the Glyders and the Carneddau were superb. This is why we love to walk in this beautiful part of Wales!

The rivers tumbling over the rocks, as well as the parts of the Machno falls that we were able to see, made us think why did the notice say "No canoeing"!

The final route up through the pine trees from the A5 was a lovely zig-zag path, wel worthy of the occasional stop to look back towards the valley (which few appreciated!) was worthwhile.

Although not usually liked we did deliberately return to Betws-y-coed via the lovely suspension bridge over the Afon Conwy.

Birds seen or heard today included:Robin, Blackbird, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Herring gull, Blue tit, Great tit, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Bullfinch, House sparrow, Coal tit, Buzzard, Black-billed magpie, Chaffinch and Wren.

After walk drinks (Lees bitter as usual in excellent nick if a little on the cool side) were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn at Pentre Halkyn. It was good to see the pub full, even if it was with members of the shoot!

The Alun Valley, Moel y Waun , Llyn Gweryd and Limestone Pasture 10th December 2009.

Heading towards the limestone kiln.

The kiln, missed by some!

Limestone pastures, with Moel Gyw in the distance.

The view of Clwyd Valley and the Snowdonia mountains from or lunch spot in the Sun.

Walk stats:Distance: 11.4 miles; Climb:1198'.

Time 5 hours 11 minutes; On the move walking average:2.5 m.p.h.; Overall walk average:2.2 m.p.h.

Group:Martyn, Richard, Roger, Sylivia and Dave J., Sue and Michel, Gordon, Celia, Paul and Georgie the Jack Russel grey squirrel chaser.

What a superb day for walking this walking this turned out to be.my only regret was that I should have been wearing my shorts, at least I could complete the walk just in a polo shirt!

Glorious blue skies and sunshine accompanied us throughout the walk and even the expected muddy patches weren't too challenging! One or two of us rang the warning bell as we crossed the golf course, but we didn't see any golfers that needed to be aware of our presence!
This was another day for "Star Jelly", quite a large sample on the footpath skirting the Northern slopes of Moel y Waun. This is the first time that I have walked around Moel y Waun without most of the group clamouring to head for its trig point!

Birds seen or heard today were less than expected, but included:Woodpigeon, Blackbird, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Robin, House sparrow, Raven, Buzzard and Pheasant.
Even Georgie behaved better than usual after chasing off after a Grey squirrel and ignoring any calling to bring her back in line (Dave J., did do a little more mileage in attempts to bring her back in line and back on the lead!).

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the New Inn at Pontybodkin, where two of the Hobsons' brews went down well. Only two of the group didn't experience the hospitality of this hostelry!

Bosley Cloud and Around Timbersbrook 5th December 2009

A different view of Bosley Cloud.

A view of Croker Hill and the Sutton Common transmitter, but whose the poser?The group on the summit of Bosley Cloud.

On the top of Bosley Cloud, but does he have any mates?

Walk stats: Distance: 12.6 miles; Climb:1539'.

Time: 6 hours 5 minutes; On the move walking average: 2.4 m.p.h.; Overall walk average:2.1 m.p.h.

Group:Martyn, Richard, Roger, Dave J., Mike D., and Celia.

Weather forecast for the day was quite optimistic, in fact it was really good. Until lunch time we were in bright sunshine all the way round and the views from the summit of Bosley cloud were superb in all directions. Lunch was very civilised as we used the picnic tables available at Timbersbrook. An added bonus at lunch today were the mince pies created by Margaret, but supervised by Roger we understand! Celia said you have to make a wish when you have the first mince pie, Dave J. merely said "I wish I had Two!".

The afternoon walk undertaken in less sunny conditions, but still dry was a little less challenging, except for the muddy/watery sections and the fact that at one point the walk description said turn right when the left was the right answer!

Nevertheless we all arrived back at the car, having enjoyed a really lovely winter whimps walk!

Birs seen or hrad today included: Bullfinch) as far as I am concerned always the bird of the day!), Carrion crow, Rook, Black-billed magpie, Jay, Robin, House sparrow, Mallard, Blue tit, Great tit, Long-tailed tit, Pied wagtail, Nuthatch, Fieldfare, Redwing, Kestrel, and Buzzard.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Farmers Arms at Kelsall. The beers enjoyed were Cains Bitter (a little on the cold side as is the pub!) and Weetwood Old Dog.

Moel Arthur and Moel lLlys-y-Coed and Cwm Gain 3rd December 2009

At the top of Cwm Gain. just about to set foot along Offa's Dyke Footpath back to the car.
Moel Arthur, a real hill fort.

On the summit of Moel Arthur, the last peak of the day, but still someone is missing!

Walk stats:Distance:10.1 miles; Climb:2034'.

Time: 40 hours 40 minutes; On the move walking average: 2.5 .p.h.; Overall walk average: 2.2 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Richard, Roger, Dave J., Annie H., Fran and Nigel (today's bonus walker!).
If you listened to the weather forecast you well have stayed at home. However those that brave the initial rain, hail, sleet and wind were blessed by a lovely sunny afternoon as we traversed Moel Llys-y-Coed and Moel Arthur.

Fran, making what is likem a guest appearance, provided the group with their first mince pies of the season, all gratefully devoured!

Birds seen or heard today included : Black-billed magpie, Carrion crow, Raven, Jackdaw, Robin, Fieldfare, Blackbird, Redwing, Nuthatch, Kestrel, Buzzard and Bulfinch (bird of the day).

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn at Pentre halkyn. Lees Bitter was good, but the Brewers Dark was even better!