Gloddaeth Hall, Bryn Pydew Coed Brongarth and More 21st January 2023

The view of the snow covered mountains from the Marl Woods Car Park.

Bodysgallen Hall.

The Carneddau from the ryn Pydew Monument ? Obelsk.

A closer look at the snow covered Carneddau.

A closer look at the snow covered Carneddau.

A closer look at the snow covered Carneddau.

At the Bryn Pydew Monument / Obelisk.

Distant views of the obelisk from the field near Gloddaeth Hall / St., David's College.

Looking towards Conwy Castle and the Carneddau fro the limestone esvcarpment  above the Marl Wood Car Park.

Looking towards Puffin Island and Anglesey from the limestone escarpment.

Walk stats: Distance: 7.0 miles. Climbe: 1322'.

Time: 4 hours 12 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.1 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.6 m.p.h.

Temperasture: Minimum - 5.7 Celsius at lunch, but it felt much warmer than that in the sunshine.

Beaufort Wind Force:  2. At most no more than light breeze.

Group: Martyn, Mike and Ed.

This was a shorter walk than we had originally planned, and the superb views of the snow covered Carneddau mountains resulted in frequent stops and debates as to which peaks we were actually looking at.

Lunch was taken on the outskirts of Glanwydden, where we took advantage of a low concrete topped wall on which to sit.

Birds seen or heard today included: Blue tit, European robin, Woodpigeon, Common blackbird, Collared dove, House sparrow and Common buzzard.

We arrived back at the cars, having had an enjoyable walk, but very surprised to find we had only done seven miles and walked so slowly!

Nevertheless it was still worth two of visiting the Blue Bell at Halkyn to celebrate with a good pint of Leese Bitter, even if I had to wait until I got home to taste it!

A Frodsham Round 11th January 2023

St.Laurence Parish Church, Frodsham

At the Memorial on Frodsham Hill.

"Anyone for"Leki"?"

Not exacly the clearest view across Frodsham Marshes towards the Mersey.

Across the Mersey to Liverpool Cathedral from Frodsham Hill.

On the Sandstone Trail across Frodsham Hill.

Our lunch spot south of Smedley Moor Wood.

Crossing the fields, east of Ravenslodge Farm.

Peel Hall, one of several impressive farms passed on the walk today.

Walk stats: Distance: 9.6 miles. Climb: 1412'.

time: 5 hours 20 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.1 m.p.h.  Overall walk average: 1.8 m.p.h.

Temperature: 9.8 Celsius to 11.2 Celsius.Beaufort Wind Force: 2 -3. Light breeze to gentle breeze, feeling cool at times, but never uncomfortable.

Group: Martyn, Ed, Sue , Fran, Mike and Nigel.

Unexpectedly Michel's back started to play up, Wendy set off on a different adventure, but we had the better deal - after walk drinks at the Helter Skelter in Frodsham!

A later start than usual, but we were all at the Frodsham car park by 10-00. The car park was now a pay car park, but at £1-50 for over 6 hours you can't claim.  

Overall a good walk, quite varied with the paths around Frodsham Hill quite challenging as we walked through the mulch of oak leaves to the muddier sections of path south of medley Moor Wood and the path near Hob Hey Wood (not named on our OS maps).

On Frodsham Hill we did get good views across towards Liverpool, although they weren't exactly crystal clear.

Descending on the Sandstone Trail passed Smedley Moor Wood, it started to rain and some of the group decided that it was time they put full waterproofs on. Thankfully it amount to much, although I did use my bath hat to protect my valued equipent!

Lunch was taken soon after when a few fallen trees offered suitable perching spots in sheltered spot.

After lunch the route required a good deal of map reading, mainly successful, but we did fail to find one path nd ened up walking aong a main road for about half a mile or so, However we did witness several drivers slowing down considerably so that driving through flooded parts of the road wouldn't send the water spraying all over us!

Weetwood, Shropshire and Invonation Brewery (chocholate stout) were enjoyed by the group, while two of the group supped their tea and looked forward to their visit next week when they weren't driving and made the trip on the bus!

The last part of the walk along the Eddisbuy Way took us through Hob Hey Wood, now managed by the Woodland Trust and volunteers. The name of this wood wasn't known to any of the group, even those that had walked through it before.

The last part of the walk through te streets on the north east side of Frodsham went without any problems and we arrived back at the cars, having had a good walk and looking forward to refreshments at the Helter Skelter in Frodsham.

Birds seen or heard today include European robin, Woodpigeon, Common blackbird, House sparrow, Carrion crow, Raven, Blue tit and Commom buzzard.

At the Helter Skelter, renovated since our la visit (pre - covid), Weetwood, Shropshire and Invonation Brewery (chocholate stout) beers were enjoyed by the group, while two of the group supped their tea and looked forward to their visit next week when they weren't driving and made the trip on the bus!

 

Pincyn Llys from Bontuchel 7th January 2023

Moel Famau from the Bontuchel to Hiraethog Road / Clwydian Way.

The Clwydian Hills from the Bontuchel to Hiraethog Road / Clwydian Way.

Part of the new path to Pincyn Llys from the car park north on the Bontuchel to Hiraethog Road / Clwydian Way.

The Clwydian Hills from the trig point on Llysy Frenhines.

Time for a rest at Pincyn Llys, but alas too early for lunch.

View southward from our lunch spot.

Rainbw over Cyffylliog.

One of the chapels in Cyffylliog.

Lots of water coming over the weir on the Aon Clywedog west of Bontuchel

Walk stats:

Distance: 10.1 miles. Climb: 1532'.

Time: 5 hours 2 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.4 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.0 m.p.h.

Temperature: 7.8 Celsius to 10.1 Celsius.

Beaufort Wind Force: 1 - 3. Mainly light breeze , gusting to a gentle breeze (12.1 m.p.h.).

Group: Martyn and Ed.

We set of from the Bontuchel forest car park, in bright sunshine, but anticipating we would get rain at some point on the walk.

Much of the walk today was on minor roads, in fact the only part not on firm surfaces was the track to Pincyn Llys. The descent from Pincyn Llys southward to the forest track through the forest was not very nice - steep with many fallen trees  needing to be negotiated. A note has been made - "never try descending southward from Pincyn Llys ever again!"

After lunch it started to rain quite heavily and I had to make use of my bathing hat and umbrella once more.  After about an hour the worst of the rain stopped and afterwards it was just very light rain on and off.

Thankfully it totally stopped as we got back to the car.

Birds seen or heard today included: Great tit, Common blackbird, Blue tit, House sparrow, Winter wren, Carrion crow, Mallard, Common pheasant and Common buzzard,

Despite the amount of road wa;lking involved, we dit get lots of good views of the hills in all directions and we did hae the bonus of seeing a rainbow as well.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at Wetherspoons Castle Hotel in Ruthin, where Ed enjoyed some Lancaster Red and I had a couple of coffees!

 

Rhuddlan to Rhyl Riverside Walk and Brickfield Pool 4th January 2023

The Afon Clwyd from the Rhuddlan road bridge.

A posing Grey wagtail.

Wigeom and Teal on the Afon Clwyd.

Great cormorants on the banks of theAfon Clwyd.

Lapwing and Dunlin feeding on the mud exposed as the tide goes out.

Lapwing and Eurasian curlew.

Tufted duck on Brickfield Pool.

Pont y Ddraig, Rhyl Harbour.

THe beach at the Foryd, Rhyl.

Enjoying lunch!

A penny for their thoughts after lunch.

Lapwing in the air.

"I think it's Moel Famau!".

Walk stats:

Distance: 9.1 miles. Climb: 702' wind assisted GPS reading, realistically about 150'.

Time: 4 hours 26 minutes. On the move walking average: 2,5 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.0 m.p.h.

Temperature: 12.2 - 13-4 Celsius.

Beaufort Wind Forcece: 2 - 5. Light breeze, mainly a gentle breeze/moderate breeze, occasionally gusting to  rough breeze (18.2 m.p.h.).

Group: Martyn, Sue and Michel, Fran, Nigel, Wendy and Ed.

I know this walk is one I put on because I know we have a good chance of seeing lots of birds, butI thnk most of those on the walk today appreciated that and some even brought teir own binoculars.

Despite the wind, the temperature throught the walk was around 13 Celsius, so we never felt cold.

The highlight of the walk was when Michel shouted "Kingfisher" and every one in the group turned round and were able to see this wonderful bird as it flew quite near us.

Lunch was taken by Rhyl Marina, where we took advantage of the many seats that sheltered us (more than some)  from the breeze.

At lunch some us saw a superb disply of Lapwings taking to the air.  Tose that ddn't weren't to be disappointed as they wentinto the ar over the Afon Clwyd as we returned along he riverside path.

Birds seen or heard today included: Kingfisher, Pied wagtail, Stonechat, Common starling, Herring gull, Great black backed gull, Great cormorant, Teal, Wigeon, Black headed gull, Eurasian curlew, Oystercatcher,  Dunlin, Lapwing, Shelduck, Canada goose, Collared dove,  Feral pigeon, Common coot, Moorhen, Little egret, Grey heron,  Mute swan, Goosander, House sparrow, Tufted duck, Carrion crow, Jackdaw and Common blackbird.

Overall a great and enjoyable wal; that would have been even better had we seen the Snow bunting and Black redstart seen on te Foryd yesterday.

Nevertheless most of us were able to njoy a superb pint of Lees bitter at the Blue Bell at Halkyn. The Tatton Brewer Gold was also enjoyed. 

 

Around The City Walls and More For Some 1st Jnuary 2023

My Route into Chester.

High Street, Saltney.

Crossing the border

The approach to Grosvenor Bridge.

Passing The Abode Hotel on the way to Grosvenor Street.

Bridge Street.

Eastgate Street.

The start of the walk - Eastgate Clock.

King Charle's Tower.

The rest of the group on the nineteen sixties bridge over St. Martin's Way.

Water Tower.

Moel Famau on the skynine abover Water Tower Gardens.

The Old Bridge to Handbrige from the City Walks,

The River Dee and the Suspension Bridge from the City Walls.

Walk stats City Walks Section.

Distance: 1.8 miles. Climb: 130'.

Group: Martyn, Sue and Michel, Fran, Nigel and Elain and Terry Green. 

Extras: Martyn - 4.4 miles (walking from Saltney and to Newtown).

Sue and Michel - 3.0 (walking from Westminster Park and to Whipcird Lane)

Nigel and Elaine - 3.0 miles (walking from Whipcord Lane to start point and back).

Terry - 2 miles (walking to Newtown to the start and back).

Fran - no walking extra, but she did cycle to the start from Upton and back (about 5 miles).

It turned out to be a lovely day for a January 1st stroll around the City Walls, but we weren't the only ones to think that, and most of spotted someone we knew as we went round.

Trying to take photos with only our group in the picture wasn't easy, and of course we had to have that first of the year photo of Moel Famau!

An enjoyable walk, after which we headed to Fran's where Sue and Dave joined us for a group meal.  Celia did make to Fran's, but unfortunately didn't feel very well and accepted Nige's offer of a lift home. Hopefully she will feel better soon.