The Little Orme and Bryn Euryn 20th November 2019

Eurasian curlew in the field opposite Craig-y-Don shore.

Donkeys in the field west of the Little Orme.

Enjoying the view across the bay towards the Great Orme.

Looking towards the North Wales Coast from the trig point on Little Orme Head.

Porth Dyniewaid and over forty Grey Seals.

At least one seal pup in Porth Dyniewaid.

More Porth Dyniewaid seal pups?

Heading towards Rhos-on-Sea along the "beach".

Llys Euryn and our lunch spot.

Panorama from the Summit Trail on the west side of Bryn Euryn.

At the trig point on Bryn Euryn.

The Little Orme from the north side of Bryn Euryn.

Eurasian curlew in the field opposite Craig-y-Don shore.

Walk stats: Distance: 8.6 miles. Climb: 2034' wind assisted GPS reading in reality about1200'.

Time: 4 hours 37'. On the move walking average: 2. m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.9 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Nigel and Mike.

As we set off, it was quite cool due to the South easterly wind, but at least it was dry.

As we climbed to the trig point on Little Orme Head, the wind became even stronger, so after enjoying the views in all directions we didn't waste any time lingering on the top. 

 Arriving in the quarry overlooking Porth Dyniewaid, we weren't disappointed as there were over forty Grey seals in the cove, including several seal pups.

 The tide was out far enough for us to walk along the pebbly beach towards Rhos-on Sea, but it was long before we decided it was easier to walk along the footpath by the road.

 Lunch was taken at the ruins of Llys Euryn, a well sheltered spot much appreciated.

 After lunch we followed the well signed Summit Trail path that gently climbed to the trig point on the top of Bryn Euryn.

 Although much of the last few milers of the walk was along minor roads and we avoided the boggy fields and broken footbridge across the Afon Wydden by taking the road past the Queens Head in Glanwydden (currently undergoing a major refurbishment).

 We arrived back at the car, having had a good walk, with boots only slightly muddy but thankfully having completed the entire walk without a drop of rain.

 Birds seen or heard today included: Eurasian curlew, Oystercatcher, Common starling, Carrion crow, Rook, Jackdaw, Raven, Herring gull, Common blackbird and Black-billed magpie.

 After walk drinks were at the Britannia Inn at Pentre Halkyn, where the Lees bitter (served as it should b) was enjoyed by all. Only one of the group was able to enjoy a second pint of the amber nectar!

The Monsal Trail and Three Tunnels 16th October 2019

Heading down the steps to the Monsal Head viaduct.

Cressbrook Mill from the Monsal Trail.

Looking over Cressbrook weir to Water-cum-Jolly Dale.

I think we need to look for an alternative route to Litton - the path through Water-cum-Jolly Dale a flooded a little too much to even attempt.

"Are you sure this is the right road or did someone send you a text?"

Looking downthe valley owards Cressbrook from the top of the escape route road.

The start of the track leading to Litton Mill.

Looking back to Litton Mill and the route we hoped to taking.

Outside Litton Tunnel, the first of the tunnels on our route.

Men behaving badly as they emerged from Litton Tunnel.

Emerging from Cressbrook Tunnel.

Lunchtime on he platfom at the Upperdale station on the Monsal Trail.

Only the Headstone Tunnel left.

The Monsal Trail at Thornbridge Hall Station.

Pennyunk Lane.

Look down the muddy track towards Pennyunk Lane.

Walk stats: 10.0 miles. Climb: 770'.

Time: 5 hours 13 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.6 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.9 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Mike and Nigel.

We arrived at Monsal Head with dampness in the air and the valley tops in mist, but it wasn't cold. In fact I decided to put my waterproof jacket in my rucksack before I suffered too much from "boil in the bag syndrome". Near views down the valleys were pretty good, but this wasn't to be a day for crystal clear distant views.

 Our first problem occurred after we had dropped down from the Monsal Trail to the Cressbrook Mill.

 The path leading into Water-cum-Jolly Dale was well and truly flooded, but thankfully there was an easy escape routeclimbing up Bottom Hill Road that led to a track taking us back to Litton Mill.

 Once again we came across a section of road that was flood, but with care we managed to get round it without getting wet feet.

 Once on the Monsal Trail, problems with flooded paths was a thing of the past and we could look forward to he main objective of the walk, going through Litton Tunnel, Cressbrook Tunnel and Headstone Tunnel.

 Though we all had head torches, the tunnels were all well lit and disappointingly we didn't have to use them.

 We decided to have lunch at the Upperdale Station, sitting on the edge of the platform as this seemed preferable to all of the wet benches we had passed on route so far.

 After lunch it was the Stonehead Tunnel that led to the Thornbridge Hall Station and the road heading for Ashford in the Water. 

 However we turned onto Pennyunk Lane, a pretty good stony track for a mile so, before we left to take a muddy track that contoured round the fields back to Monsal Head.

 Not many birds seen or heard today, those we did included: Mallard, Woodpigeon, Blue tit, Rook, 7 Whooper swans and a Common kestrel (seen as we started our journey homeward.
Overall a veryenjoyable, one I will do again, but perhaps in the Summer when we can walk through Water-cum-Jolly Dale along the riversided path.

 As a one off change we decided to sample the Lees bitter at the Bears Paw at Upton, and Celia was able to join us. It was only Celia joining us that made this choice worthwhile. The Lees bitter was only on smooth flow, but they did offer MPA and Founders on hand pump. Both the Lees bitter and MPA were served too cold to make them enjoyable. I assume the temperature of Celia's lager was OK.

West Kirby, Red Rocks, Gilroy N.R., Grange Hill and Caldy Hill 13th November 2019.

Roosting Common redshank and Turnstones on the rocks by the Old Baths, West Kirby.

The seaward side of West Kirby Marine Lake.

One man and his dog are somewhere there in the picture!

Feeling safe now that we are in Marine Lake car Park.

Brent geese on West Kirby Shore.

Just a few Dunlin and Knott.

Swirlng Dunlin and Knott over the sea between the shore and Hilbre.

Swirlng Dunlin and Knott over the sea between the shore and Hilbre.

More swirlng Dunlin and Knott over the sea between the shore and Hilbre.

The Memorial on Grange Hill from the Carr Lane Footpath.

Flooded fiels near Carr Lane

On our welcome escape route.

Why we needed an escape route.

The west facing side of Grange Hill Memorial.

The east facing side of Grange Hill Memorial.

Descending on the path over Caldy Hill, eventually passing a few posh houses to the Wirral Way and the coast

Heading northward through the cliff top picnic site back to West Kirby.

Last views of Hilbre. 

A lone walker on the beach, but not one of ours.

Walk stats: 8.9 miles: Climb: 370'.

Time: 4 hours 31 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.5 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.9 m.p.h. ( Slower than usual as I stopped for afternoon tea!

Group: Martyn, Sue and Michel, David S., Mike, Paul and Scrumble.

The forecast today was pretty good for walking, overcast , but little chance of rain, a gentle breeze and a little sunshine.

 Our first challenge of the day was the walk along the west side of the Marine Lake, with the tide coming in fast, would be beat or would we get wet feet?

We did make, although we did get splashed a little as the waves crashes on the rocks near us.

  We were also able to walk along the beach towards Red Rocks, taking the recently accepted right of way footpath across the dunes next to the golf course.

 From this vantage point we had some good views of waders on the thousands swirling around over the sea between us and Hilbre.

 Our next challenge came as we was along Carr Lane as it went across flat fields towards Newton/Frankby. Unfortunately much of these fields were flooded and all are efforts to get round the flooded area failed, but we did end up with clean boots rather than muddy boots.

 We did find an alternative route, perhaps not on a right of way, but at least it was  "dry" route to the Gilroy N.R.

 We eventually arrived at the top of Grange Hill, where we took advantage of the many benches there. Fortified fruit cake was provided to energise us for the rest of the walk. By now we were basking in pleasant sunshine.

 After lunch this warm sunshine accompanied us all the way back to the start. I should have taken my jacket off at lunch time, rather than wait to the Caldy Wirral way picnic site and "afternoon tea stop".

Considering our boggy field experiences, this was an enjoyable walk, capped with after walk drinks at the Wheatsheaf at Raby, Brimstage Brewery's Tapper's Hat went down well.

Birds seen or heard included: Dunlin,  Turnstone, Common redshank, Great cormorant, Black headed gull, Great Black backed gull, Knott, Pied wagtail, Goldfinch, European robin, Common blackbird, Woodpigeon,House sparrow, Carrion crow, Common kestrel and Eurasian curlew.

Thurstaston, Caldy and Royden Park 6th November 2019

Looking across the Dee Estuary from the Wirral Way south west of the Dungeon.

A small waterfall in The Dungeon.

On the path through the upper section of The Dungeon.

They must have had a pumpkin event in this field!

Yes it was a "Family Fright Night at Church Farm".

Thurstaston beach - taken by Wendy.

A Little Egret on the shore between Thurstaton an Caldy.

"I wish we were in Wales."

or

just admiring the view across the Dee Estuary.

Looking northward towards Hilbre from Caldy.

Autumnal colours in Stapledon Wood, Caldy.

Walking through the trees across Thurstaston Common.

Walk stats: Distance: 9.2 miles. limb: 433'.

Time: 4 hours 30 minutes. On he move walking average: 2.5 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.0 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Sue and Michel, and Wendy.

The forecast for today was not good, we could expect rain all day, particulary around the time we were expecting to stop for lunch.

 It did rain, just after we had set, and particularly as we climbed through The Dungeon. thankfully it was very light, and least there was very little wind and it didn't feel quite as cold as the"feel like 5 Celsius" given on  all of the weather forecasts.

 Views across the Dee Estuary were somewhat unusual, as there seemed to be low cloud/mist clinging to the river but the hills of Wales rising above.

 It wasn't long before I realised that I had left my binoculars in the car, and Michel suggested altering the planned route by returning to the car if it was at all possible. It was, but it meant we had to walk down Station Road from Thurstaston Parish Church, not once but twice - original planned route missed it out altogether!

 This we did, and after picking up my binoculars, we set off across the beach towards Caldy.The tide was well out, but we did see a good number of waders and frequently heard the call of Eurasian curlews, Oystercatchers and Common redshank.

 Arriving at Caldy, we debated whether we should have lunch on the beach, but ended up having lunch in the Caldy picnic site using one of the benches that had bee covered by fallen leaves almost like a table cloth.

 After lunch, energised by some fortified fruit cake we climbed from Caldy through Stapledon Wood along its eastern edge.

 Arriving at Royden Park, I decided it was time to stop for afternoon tea, but surprisingly I was the only one to partake of the remaining dregs of my fruit tea. In reality I had stopped to take off my jacket, change my shirt for the third time in order to feel more comfortable on the last leg of the walk.

 Arriving back at the car, we had had a really good walk and made the most of the day and as a bonus had not experienced the level of rain on most forecasts.

 Birds seen or heard today included: House sparrow, Common blackbird, Coot, Moorhen, Mallard, Woodpigeon, Black billed magpie, Eurasian jay, Eurasian curlew, Shelduck, Common redshank, Carrion crow, Rook and Little egret.

 After walk drinks were enjoyed in the Wheatsheaf Inn at Raby, where Plum Porter, Trapper's Hat and Coffee all went down well.

Around Lyme Park 31st October 2019

The beginning of Autumn in Knightslow Wood.

Fallen leaves in Knightslow Wood.

The Cage from the Knightslow Wood to Bowstones Gate.

The path leading from Bowstones Gate to Lantern Wood.

Distant view (not one of the best) of Shutlingsloe from the Bow Stones.

Looking east towards Whaley Moor from our refreshments stop.

Looking over Bollinghurst Reservoir towards The Cage.

Looking towards The Cage from the path on the northern side.

Descending from The Cage to Lyme Hall.

Looking through the gates to Lyme Hall.

Walk stats: Distance: 5.2 miles. Climb: 1015' wind assisted GPS reading. Memory Map value 900'.

Time: 2 hours 38 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.5 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.0 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn and Sue Powell.

A little on the cool side thanks to wind, but at times it pleasantly warm whenever we found ourselves in sheltered spots.

This was the first time that I have started a walk by parking in Lyme Park, Although it was busy, the overspill parking areas had been opened up, so we had no problem parking.

 The fallen leaves and occasional sunbeam through the trees reminded us the Autumn had started, but as yet the rich red and orange colours were absent.

 Distant views were were not very clear and towards the end of the walk it looked as though Manchester was getting wet.

 Thankfully we only had a few spots of rain as we descended fro The Cage to Lyme Hall, not enough to demand putting on waterproof.

 We had a brief spot for refreshments a little south west of Bolder Hall. The remains of an old stone provided suitable perching spots.

 Walkers approaching us from the opposite direction to us, pointed out that one of the paths to Lyme Hall was closed. Although it was the one on our route, it was easy to re-route and take the path along the east side of Bollinghurst Reservoir and enter the grounds near Parkgate.

 Birds seen or heard today included: Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Woodpigeon, Goldfinch, Winter wren, Eurasian jay and Black billed magpie.

 Overall a very enjoyable stroll around this delightful park, despite having muddy boots to clean when we got home.