Thurstaston Common, The Dungeon, caldy and More 16th January 2019

Looking across the estuary towards Wales from the Wirral Way South east of Thurstaston Visitor Centre.

On Wirral Way South east of Thurstaston Visitor Centre.

The Dungeon South east of Thurstaston Visitor Centre.

Thursaston Church.

At the toposcope on Thurstaston Common.

The view from  the toposcope on Thurstaston Common.

At the trig point on Thurstaston Common.

Eurasian curlew in fields as we approached Caldy.

Free range chickens in fields as we approached Caldy.

The cross and church at Caldy.

Hilbre Island from he beach at Caldy.

Point of Ayr from the beach at Caldy.

Brent geese on the shore between Caldy and Thursaston.

The coast from Shore Cottage, Thurstaston looking towards Parkgate.

Walk stats: Distance: 8.1 mile. Climb: 597'

Time: 4 hours 7 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.5 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.0 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Roger and David S.

With a forecast of rain in the morning and the possibility of sunshine in the afternoon, we optimistically set off. The forecast was pretty good, and the rain we had ws minimal, and indeed as we finished the walk along the beach we were in glorious sunshine.

 Views across the estuary before lunch weren't particularly good, but did improve as we reached the beach at Caldy.

 This was a varied walk, and took us along paths that we hadn't used for some time, especially around ThustastonCommon and Roden Park.

 Lunch was taken at Royden Park, where we took advantage of one of the many picnic tables.

 It was a little early for lunch really, but e knew his was the last chance we would have to have a bench and table to use at lunch.

 Once again we went past the farm at Caldy where we could see hundreds of chickens running freely in the fields next to the sheds, many running towards us as they saw us walking on the adjacent footpath.

 The walk along the beach from Caldy to Thursaston, was a pleasant stroll, with distant views towards Parkgate and accompanied by the conued calls of Oystercatchers and Eurasian curlews.

 we arrived back at the car, having had a very enjoyable walk and ready for liquid refreshments.

 Birds seen or heard today included: lue tit, Great tit, Bullfinch, Common blackbird, Woodpigeon, Black billed magpie, Eurasian curlew, European robin, Shelduck, Mallard, Common  coot Moorhen, Oystecatcher and Brent goose.

 After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Wheatsheaf at Raby, where Titanic's Plum Porter and Brimstage's Trappers Hat went down well.

Prestayn to Point of Ayr and Back 12th January 2019

Mute swans on Prestatyn Gutter .

On the beach heading towards Talacre.

Point of Ayr lighthouse.

Prestatyn Beach Hotel in the distance.

Breaking waves near Barkby Beach just before high tide.

Oystercatcher roosting on the pepples on Barkby Beach at high tide.

The Coastal Path between Prestatyn Golf Course and the dunes near Barkby Beach.

Looking East over the dunes towards Talacre.

Walk stats: Distance: 10.0 miles. Climb: 1367' (GPS reading - testament to the strength of the wind), In reality about 150'.

Time: 4 hours 30 minute. On the move walking average: 2.6 m.p.h. (2.9 m.p.h. on my newest GPS). Overall walk average: 2.3 m.p.h.

Group: Marty and Jim.

 An overcast day, with a strong wind assisting us on the outward journey, but at least we didn't get wet. A short spell of light rain accompanied us along the dunes a we approached the the end of the walk.

 Heading for Talacre, the tide was well out and we walked along the beach to the Point of Ayr lighthouse.

 Looking for lunch spot that was sheltered from he wind wouldn't be easy, the best on offer was the Point of Ayr Bird Hide, but we did at least have a bench to sit on. A few birders were already there, looking out across the estuary as the tide came in (High tide was two hours after we arrived, and an hour and a half after bwe left)

 On the return journey, we first headed through The Warren Nature Reserve, where at one point we saw sixteen Black-billed magpies, the most that I have ever seen in one place at the same time.

  Our return route was planned to be along he beach from the Little tern viewpoint, but we were eventually forced to take the Coastal Path through the sand dunes as we approached the Barkby Beach.

 With high tide covering the sandy beach, lots of Oystercatchers were roosting on the pebbles and rocks near the dunes.Birds seen and heard today included: Mallard, Teal, Little grebe, Common coot, Moorhen, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion crow, Fieldfare,  Eurasian curlew, Shelduck, Black headed gull, Herring gull, Linnet, Winter wren, Common redshank and Woodpigeon.

 We arrived back at the car, having had an enjoyable , bracing 10 mile walk.

 After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Blue Bell Inn at Halkyn, where two brews from Lees  (Including Tan y Draig / Dragon's Fire)were sampled as well as the Gwynt y Draig's Black Dragon Cider.

.

Moel Arthur and Penycloddiau 9th January 2019

Snowdonia from the slopes of Moel Arthur..

Snowdonia from the slopes of Moel Arthur..

Arrenig Fawr from Moel Arthur.

At the top of Moel Arthur.

Liverpool Anglican Cathedral  in the distance as we descendd Moel Arthur.

Dave Evans's dream home, but was it finished to his original plans?

The view from the RCGAF lunch spot.

Moel Famau from the RCGAF lunch spot.

At the summit cairn on Penyclddiau.

Walk stats: Distance: 7.5 miles. (7.8 miles on my newest GPS). Climb: 1295'.

Time: 4 hours 32 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.2 m.p.h. (2.5 m.p.h.on my newest GPS)..

Group: Martyn, Roger, Sue and Michel and Ed.

This was a glorious day for walking, a touch warmer an it would have been the first shorts day in 2019! Largely blue skies, hardly any wind and at times warm sunshine. However at times gloves were needed, particularly as we approached the top of Moel Arthur and Penycloddiau.

 As we set off, the distant views of Snowdonia were good, and we were optimistic that they would get better as we reached Penycloddiau. Alas this didn't happen and the best views were seen from the top of Moel Arthur.

  A testament to the fine weather was the fact that we saw lots of other walkers, most of them with more than one dog.

 Lunch was taken just round the corner from the impressive water tank on the West side of Penycloddiau, taking advantage of the suitably angled grass bank at a spot that will be forever known by the group as the RCGNF (Roger Can  Go No Further) lunch spot.

 After lunch we set off along a pleasant track contouring around the West side of Pencloddiau to Offa's Dyke that headed South west to the summit. It always seems like a hard climb, but in reality is only a steady gentle climb of just over a mile.

 The views towards the Dee Estuary and Moel Famau were good, but by now the high tops of Snowdonia were in cloud.

 We arrived back at the car, having had a really good walk in almost perfect weather conditions and boots requiring just a little cleaning when we got home.

 Birds seen or heard today included: Common buzzard, European robin, Carrion crow, Raven, Wood nuthatch, Common chaffinch, Black billed magpie, Blue tit, Great tit and Meadow pipit.

 After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn at Halkyn, where the Lees bitter was excellent. A short pint was reluctantly toppd up, not the best way to encourage customers make to return for another pint!. No doubt I will, the Lees Bitter is so good!

Around Hoylake from Royden Country Park 5th January 2019

Dreaming of bacon butties.

The Memorial on Grange Hill from the South east side of Hoylake.

Hilbre Island from the beach at Red Rocks, Hoylake.

Jim and Roger on the beach at Red Rocks, Hoylake.

A few waders on the water edge between Red Rocks and West Kirby.

Looking over the reedbed and the Royal Liverpool Golf Course towards the Memorial on Grange Hill.

Turnstones on the edge of West Kirby Marine Lake.

Brent geese on West Kirby Marine Lake.

Art work in the Coronation Gardens West Kirby.

On the link path between Kings Drive South and Kings Drive North.

Walk stats: Distance: 10.2 miles. Climb: 302'.

Time: 4 hours 46 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.7 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.1 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Roger and Jim.

As expected, we had cloud cover all day, but the lack of any significant wind meant that it felt much warmer that the 7 Celsius forecast.

 The first surprise of the day was along the track North west of Long Rake Farm, where we spotted a notice on a field gate. It said "Dog Walking Fields . 6 acres available for hire by the hour". We did see a dog walker in the field, but we weren't able to determine if they had paid for the privilege of using the fields.

 We arrived at the beach at Kings Gap early, bu the tide had receded sufficiently for us to walk along the beach path on the West of the dunes, rather than use the higher boardwalk route needed whenever there are very high tides.

 We met a local campaigner who informed us that Wirral Council didn't want to maintain the boardwalk, and that the locals were trying to get this route designated a right of way. Further details can be obtained on: www.facebook.com/redrocksboardwalk/

We continued around the Marine Lake, before having lunch in West Kirby Coronation Gardens where we had a choice of benches to use for lunch.

 After lunch we had just over three miles to go, including most of the climb for the day, but we shouldn't complain the total climb for the walk was only just over three hundred feet.

 We arrived back at Royden Country Park, having had an excellent walk of great vaiety, still smiling even though we had walked over ten miles, a rarity for us these days!

 Birds seen or heard today included: Woodpigeon, Collared dove, Black-billed magpie, Common blackbird, Blue tit, Common chaffinch, Herring gull, Turnstone,Brent Goose, Common redshank, House sparrow, Great cormorant, Eurasian curlew. Oystercatcher and Dunlin.

 After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Wheatsheaf at Raby, where Brimstage Brewery's Trappers Hat and Titanic Brewery's Plum Porter went down well.

Hilbre Island and West Kirby Marine Lake 1st January 2019

Little Eye, Little Hilbre Island and Hilbre Island seem a long way away.

Following tracks to Little Eye.

A deserted Little Eye.

Brent geese and Oystercatchers on Middle Eye.

An egret but is is a Great white or Little egret?

It looked big for a Little egret, but I think it is still a Little egret.

Grey seals on the sand bank South west of Hilbre Island.

Brent Geese and an Oystercatcher North of the Lifeboat slip way on Hilbre Island.

A sheltered spot for lunch on the South east corner of Hilbre Island.

Looking North West from our lunch spot.

Looking towards Little Hilbre Island from our lunch spot.

Crossing the sand back to West Kirby Marine Lake.

Looking South west from the causeway around West Kirby Marine Lake.

Walk stats: Distance: 5.8 miles. Climb: 412' (GPS Wind assisted), probably about 120'.

Time: 2 hour 56 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.5 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.0 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Sue and Michel, Phil, Wendy and Ian.

 It was great to have Phil join on our New Year's day Walk, having come down from Scotland to visit family in Cheshire. It was good to have Ian join us too, despite needing to get back to go to an important local football match.

We set off just before 10-00, and ignoring all of the weather forecasts it a started to drizzle and the outline of Hilbre Island Island could just about be made out in the distance.

 Thankfully as arrived at Little Eye, it became much brighter and by the time we stopped for lunch we were basking in warm sunshine.

 Arriving at Middle Eye, Oystercatchers and Brent geese seemed to be everywhere and this proved to be so all along the water edge as far a the Lifeboat causeway.

 As we followed the concrete causeway up the West side o Hilbre Island we were fortunate o about ten Grey seals on the sand bank in the estuary towards the South west of the island

 It is worth noting that near the Lifeboat House, there is a wooden shelter with benches. After making use of the nearby PC units, we headed back across the Hilbre Island towards Middle Eye.

 just around the corner from the concrete causeway, we found a perfect spot for lunch, sheltered from the wind and now bathed in Sunshine. Fruit cake and chocolate covered ginger cookies were shared before we headed back towards Middle Eye. 

 So far we had only seen a hand full of people and one or two dogs, but it wasn't long before w could encountered a steady .of people and dogs heading across the sands towards us, so many that it could be described as being like a crowd leaving a football stadium after a match. 

 Arriving back at the Marine Lake we did follow the causeway on the West side, but no chance of seeing a birds on the water as a dingy race was in full swing, taking advantage of what was now quite a strong wind.

 Birds seen or heard today included: Brent goose, Red breasted merganser, Herring gull, Black headed gull, Little egret, Common redshank, Great cormorant, Eurasian curlew and Great black backed gull.

 Overall a very enjoyable walk, a superb walk to start us off in 2019.

 We decided to miss out our usual visit to a local hostelry and headed straight home where I am now enjoying a cup tea, containing a little whisky of course!