Around Peckforton and Beeston 12th December 2018

On the Sandstone Trail heading towards Peckforton Castle.

Looking South towards Beeston Castle.

On the trail along the West side of Peckforton Hill.

On the path heading towards Willis's Wood.

Looking towards Peckforton Mere.

A Common kestrel in a tree as we approached the road to Beeston Castle.

Crossing a harvested maize field.

The way ahead - West from Beeston Iron Locks.

Looking South west towards Beeston Castle as we headed along the Sandstone Trail towards Castlegate Farm.

Walk stats: Distance: 7.9 miles. Climb:626'.

Time: 3 hours 42 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.5 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.1 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Roger, Celia, Paul and Scrumble.

Dull and overcast with a cool wind making it feel like about 4 Celsius was what we were expecting according to the weather forecast.In fact this was pretty accurate and gloves/mitts were essential particularly during the morning a we crossed the side of Peckforton Hill towards Hill Lane.

 So far conditions underfoot wee good, even when crossing fields and good progress was made. We arrived back at Beeston Castle just after mid-day and decided to use the picnic tables at the cafe grounds for lunch. To our delight, the Sun came out as the clouds wee blown away. Even better Roger had brought us a Christmas treat ,some of Margaret's excellent mince pies. Thank you Margaret.

 In fact we had sunny spells all afternoon and conditions underfoot were soon going to change for the worse!

 Approaching Beestion Cattle Market we had to skirt around deep mud and piles straw/horse/cattle bedding to void sinking ankle dep in the quagmire.

 Once on the towpath, conditions underfoot improveduntil we approached the railway underpass South of Wharton's Bridge. the section from the underpass towards Castlegate Farm, was the muddiest 100 yards on the walk, resutling boot caked up with mud and needing to be cleaned as soon as I arrived at home.

 Birds seen or heard today included: Black-billed magpie, Woodpigeon, Rook, Carrion crow, Pied wagtail, House sparrow, European robin, Eurasian jay, Mallard, Moorhen, Common blackbird, Goldfinch and Common buzzard.

 Overall a very enjoyable walk, although next time we will avoid the path South of Wharton's Bridge and carry on along the canal as far a Bate's Mill Bridge and back the the Beeston Castle Car Park along the road, a little longer, but guaranteed NO MUD!

Traeth Lavan and its Foothils 8th December 2018

Looking North over Abergwyngregyn.

The lighthouse at Penmon Point on Anglesey in sunshine, burt can you believe it?

Looking Eastward along a delighful section of the path from Abergwyngregyn.

Looking towards the higher peaks of the Carneddau as we jouned the North Wales Path.

A delightful section of the North Wales Footpath looking Eastward towards Abergwyngregyn.

Looking south West along the North Wales Footpath.

Looking Eastward as we left our lunch spot Aber Ogwen.

Not many birds seen today, but this Dunlin was one of them.

Walk stats: Distance:8.7 miles. Climb: 1684' (wind assisted on the GPS), in reality just 1100'

time: 4 hours 15 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.6 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.0 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn and Jim.

We set off from Abergwyngregyn with blue skies above a strong but relatively warm breeze that accompanied us all the way to the North Wales Footpath. So far the distant views wer pretty good,both towards Anglesey and towrds the Carneddau, although the higher tops were in cloud. 

 Heading Westward along ther North Wales Footpath, it wasn't long before it started to rain and heading into the wind as well.it wasn't very pleasant, especially if you were wearing spectacles. Thankfully it was still relatively warm.

  after leaving the North Wales Footpath, I had planned to take a path via Tan-y-y-marian bach, but this was closed,and notices suggested an alternative route Plas-uchaf (this looks like a better option that I will use sometime in the future). however today we kept to the easy option long the road through Tal-y-bont along the road  to Aber Ogwenin order to miss out the notorious "cow dung slurry" footpath that went past.the farm approaching Aber Ogwen.

  We arrived at the main bird hide at The Spinnies, but having been informed that he Kingfisher hadn't been seen, we headed along the beach to the main picnic site at the car park area o the coast.

 Much to our surprise and delight, w e were able to enjoy our lunch, using one of the picnic benches, sitting in warm sunshine!

 After lunch, heading Eastward, it wasn't long before it started to rain, making any attempts to bird watch somewhat difficult.

 The rather awkward section of the coastal path from the beach to the good access track hasn't improve since our last visit, in fact it has become slightly worse.

 Approaching  University Farm, the rain became torrential, so much so that we sheltered under the A55 road bridge for a few minutes to allow it to ease off a little.

 Within a few minutes of arriving back at the car, it stoppe4d raining. How blessed we were to experience no rain today at the start, at lunch time (with warm sunshine) and at the end of the walk.

 Birds seen or heard today include: Common blackbird, Common gull, Woodpigeom, Oystercatcher, Common redshank, House sparrow, Mallard, Eurasian curlew, Great cormorant, Black-billed magpie and Dunlin.

 Overall an enjoyable walk, especially if you forget that at the end of the walk we were  on the wet side, including my new gloves - left had dry, right hand wet (holding a Leki at the same time enables water to get through the membrane. Good gloves, but not if you are a walking pole user!

. After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Blue Bell in Halkyn, where Lees Bitter  was enjoyed as well as the Gwynt-y-Draig Balck Dragon Cider. Having a real fire, you always have a warm welcome in this hostelry offering 4 real ales and at least 5 real ciders.

Waun-y-Llyn Country Park, Hope Mountain and Wood Pitt 28th November 2018.

At the topograph in Waun-y-Llyn Country Park.

A "Tie Tree" - the first that I have ever seen!

Looking across the quarry toward Waun-y-Llyn.

At the trig point in Waun-y-Llyn Country Park - point where the wind was at its strongest.

or is Sue saying

 "Why am I here? 

Roger doesn't look that happy either!

The trig point on Hope Mountain - will I ever get there?

Good to see St. Michael's Church, Llanfynydd. is still being used.

The Southern entrance to Wood Pitt Nature Reserve.

Lunch along the old railway track in Wood Pitt Nature Reserve.

Rainbow over the Railway Inn  at Pontybodkin.

Walk stats: 5.0 miles. Climb: 1001'.

Time: 2 hours 55 minutes. On the move walking average; 2.3 m.p.h (2.6 m.p.h. on my newest GPS. Overall walk average: 1.7 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Roger, Sue and Michel.

This wasn't a day where walking in warm sunshine was very likely., showers were the best we could expect, not cold (shorts temperatures really), but winds gusting to over 30 m.p.h. forecast.

 We set off towards Waun-y-Llyn Country Park with a sort of dampness in the air, but anything we could really call rain. However as we entered Waun-y-Llyn Country Park, it was now raining, enough to put rain drops on the lens of my camera which can't be removed satisfactorily even with appropriate it software!

 Crossing the ridge through Waun-y-Llyn Country Park, we should have had our best distant views, but today rain clouds got in the way. 

 Between Waun-y-Llyn Country Park  toposcope ant trig point we came across a tree adorned with several ties - was this a way that escaped classroom teachers celebrated not needing to ever wear a tie unless they actually wanted to do so?

 Although it wasn't too unpleasant, the persistent rain as the main reason why we decided to shorten the walk and one or two short cuts were taken.

 As we entered Wood Pitt Nature Reserve we anticipated having lunch back at the car, but part way along we located a suitable bench, just at it stopped raining. Happily we stopped to enjoy our lunch the great outdoors. Initially I sat in my short sleeve shirt, but after about 15 minutes I had to put my waterproof back on as it had started to rain again.

 As we arrived back at the car park at Coed-Talon/Pontybodkin a rainbow appeared over the Railway Inn, but this wasn't enough to encourage us to extend the walk further - refreshments at the Bridge Inn seemed a much better idea, especially we weknew it would have a real fire!

 Weetwood Best Bitter was the only real ale on offer, but went down well as we cooked around the fire.

 Not many birds seen or heard today, but those we did include: Goldfinch, House sparrow, Woodpigeon and Common blackbird.

  Checking my e-mails when I got home, good news  from David S, he has been given the go ahead to resume walking and hopes to join us on the walk next Wednesday.

A Third Llanddulas Adventure 24th November 2018

Craig y Forwyn.

The stile south west of Cefn Castell that beat us - secateurs were not enough!

Just for Mike in memory of half an hour using a pair of secateurs.

Looking South from our lunch spot.

The limestone ridge East of Llysfaen.

Approaching Craig y Forwyn.

Looking East towards Cefn-y-Ogof.

On the path below  Craig y Forwyn.

Fallen leaves everywhere - here on the North Wales Path east of Llandduklas Quarry.

Walk stats: distance: 8.6 miles. Climb: 1333'.

Time: 4 hours 28 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.3 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.9 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn and Jim.

The weather today was somewhat overcast and distant views were never good.

 Nevertheless once leaving the coast it was never cold, in fact wearing Paramo gear wasn't really appropriate.

 Once again on this walk we encountered problems, first at Nant Gyd, where the route through Nant Gyd Farm wasn't easy to find, then a stile South west of Cefn Castell DEFEATED US (my secateurs weren't goof enough!) and this was after the unwelcome reception of two dogs as we went past the farm house. They weren't as bad a we retraced our steps!.

 In order to avoid many of our problems around farms today, we did a fair amount of rod walking.

 Lunch was taken South of Llysafen where a fallen tree provide a good seat for lunch. 

 as we approached Llysfaen, we enjoyed watching a farmer with two sheepdogs, and wondered why one one seemed to head off in the wrong direction. the farmer later informed us that he thought that this twelve year old dog didn't do what he was told to do, but chose to do what he thought he was supposed to do (but was often right!).

 As we descended below Craig-y- Forwyn there was a larger walking group but unfortunately we couldn't pass them, so our on the move walking speed dropped below the 2.5 m.p.h. recorded on the GPS at lunch time.

 Not many birds heard or seen today, but those we did included: Great cormorant, Oystercatcher, Common blackbird, Carrion crow and Woodpigeon.

  Overall a pleasant and enjoyable walk, but if repeated it would need to be adjusted to ensure that farms in the area were all avoided!

After walk drinks were enjoyed ast the Blue Bell Inn at Halkyn, where the real fire had just been lit and the choice of real ciders was excellent - Black Dragon being the one that I enjoyed most.

Deborah's Well, Around Moel Findeg and Big Covert 21st November 2018.

Looking West towards the Clwydians on the path to Gwernymynydd.

Is this what they call a face off?

Moel Findeg ahead, but not or everyone!

A Raven in a tree a tree headed South of the path on East side of Burley Hill Quarry,

Our sheltered lunch spot South of Big Covert
or
 "I wonder how many minutes left for lunch?
or
The sermon today is taken from ,,,,,,".

Our path Northward through Big Covert.

Ration Book memories at Cholomendy concerning  Liverpool and WW2.

Walk stats: Distance: 7.9 miles. 1000' (a little more foe Mike who took the shorter route  over Moel Findeg).

Group: Martyn, Roger, Mike and Wendy.

The weather forecast wasn't very good, but in fact we it was much better than expected and it it was only after lunch that we had a little sleet ans dampness in the air.

 Distant views today were allows shrouded in mist, but where  we were was always OK.

 The first surprise we of the day was to find the information board at Deboroh' Well missing, presumably it will be returned once it has been restored

 Lunch was taken near the road on the South side of Big Covert, where a fallen tree trunk gave us the perfect perching places,

 after lunch was just a pleasant stroll through Big Covert and he joining the Clwydian Way back to Loggerheads.

 Birds seen or heard today included: Woodpigeon, Eurasian jay, Black-billed magpie, Blue tit, Great tit, Coal tit, Common chaffinch, Wood nuthatch, Carrion crow, Raven Common blackbird and Common pheasant.

 The highlight of the day was seeing a Coal tit and soon after a Stoat crossed the field less than 20 metres in front of us.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Glasfryn, real fires in charge, and Pheonix "Back Bee Porter" the best brew on offer.

Walks and Dates November 2018

Updated 16th November 2018.

Saturday 3rd November 2018

Mow Cop, Congleton Edge and More. 

Distance: 9-10 miles. Climb: 1100'.

Start: New start Point. Cheshire's Close lay-by on Congleton Road, Mow Cop. Grid ref: SJ8673058565

Leave Chester at 08-30 a.m.

This walk combines a walk from Carl Rogers's book "Circular Walks Along The Gritstone Trail" and part of a walk taken from the "Pathfinder Guide to Cheshire". This walk is a little shorter than the one that we did in 2008. Good views from the ridges.

Wednesday 7th November 2018.

The Sandstone Trail. Primrose Hill And Pale Heights.

Distance: 10-11 miles. Climb:1260' .

Start: Gresty's  Waste car park on the A54. Grid re: SJ540686.

Leave Chester 09-00 a.m.

This is another walk on the Sandstone Trail.The main walk is a  route described in Carl Rogers's book "Circular Walks Along the Sandstone Trail". This includes the section as far as Fishersgreen and returns via Utkinton and Primrose Hill Wood.  We will start with the extension that includes a visit the viewpoint on Pale Heights before heading to The Yeld and King's Gate where we pick up the described route.
I n all proababilty we will probably take a few short cuts to reduce the mileage a little.

Saturday 10th November 2018.

The Ceiriog Trail East of Pontricket.

Distance: 8.5 miles. Climb: 1100'.

Start: The Pontricket Layby on the B4500 , about 3 miles South of Glyn Ceiriog. Grid ref: SJ186343.

Leave Chester at 09-00.

This is a variation of the walk we did in September, but includes much more of the Llwybr Ceiriog Trail and visits the Pen-y-Gwely Reservoir. We may also be able to explore paths that avoid having to descend the steep unpleasant bridleway from Cefn-y-braich-uchaf with its concrete enclosed drainage pipes.

Wednesday 14th November 2018.

Wepre Park, Aston Hill and Northop Hall.

Distance: 9.5 miles. Climb: 800'.

Start: Wepre Park, South of Wepre Drive, Connah's Quay. Grid ref: SJ295684.

Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.

This walk includes the four mile "Wepre" walk from the booklet "Rural Walks in Flintshire", but has been extended to explore the area around Northop Hall. The Wepre walk is described as a moderate walk and includes a wooded river valley and a ruined castle.

 The extension heads for Ewloe Green via Aston Hill on the way to Northop Hall. After exploring the countryside North of Northop Hall, it eventually rejoins the dismantled railway track shown on the original route that will leads us back to Wepre.

Saturday 17th November 2018.

Ramshaw Rocks and the Roaches.

Distance: 8 miles. Climb: 1400’.

Start: Lay-by on West side of Hen Cloud, opposite the track to Windygates. Grid ref: SK006618.

Leave Chester at 08-00.

This walk allows us to explore Ramshaw Rocks seen so many times as we have walked over the Roaches. Ramshaw Rocks from a distance have always looked to be an interesting place in which to walk. This time Ramshaw Rocks will be our main objective with a North to South traverse of the Roaches a bonus towards the end of the walk. If time and legs permit, Hen Cloud may be included as an extension.

The route heads North and then North west leading to Well Farm. From Well Farm field paths are used to reach the Churnet Way near Naychurch. The Churnet Way is followed North over Ramshaw Rocks and then leaves the Churnet Way and heads North to visit Black Brook Nature Reserve, After a complete circuit of the Reserve the route drops down to the road South of Newstone Farm. The road is then followed North for about a mile before heading west across Goldstich Moss in to the Black Brook Valley. After crossing the brook on a footbridge the path then rises to Roach End. At Roaches End the main path over the Roaches is followed past the trig point and Doxy Pool back to the start.

Wednesday 21st November 2018.

Deborah's Well, Moel Findeg and Big Covert

Distance:7-8 miles. Climb: 1300'.

Start: Lay-by on the  Cadole to the Pantymwyn road. Grid ref: SJ205627. after passing the former Rainbow Inn (now a building site), take the next road on the right just before the newsagent. The lay-by is almost immediately on the right by the telephone kiosk.

Leave Chester 9-00 a.m.

This walk combines two walks from Dave Berry's book "More Walks in the Clwydian Hills".  This is another chance to visit the summit of Moel Findeg with its fine views of the Northern Clwydians  and across the Cheshire plain to Peckforton and Beeston.  Hopefully we will make it as far as the ancient Deborah's well this time. We may even do it first this time, if we park in the Cadole lay-by.

Saturday 24th November 2018.

A Third Llandulas Adventure Revisited.

Distance: 7-8 miles. Climb: 1200'.

Start Llanddulas Beach Car Park at the end of Station Road/Beach Road. Grid ref: SH906786

Leave Chester at 08-30 a.m.
The route from Llanddulas is essentially South along the Afon Dulas Valley, heading for Cefn Fran Farm.

Both times that we have completed ths walk, once in July 2015 and again in January 2018, we encountered difficulties locating the route through Derwen farm and fields heading North.  This time, we will not attempt to go anywhere near this farm and will use the minor roads around it. We will use field path and minor roads as far as Llysfaen where we can pick up the North Wales Path back to the cars.

Wednesday 28th November 2018.


Hope Mountain, Waun-y-llyn and Wood Pit.

Distance: 9-10 miles. Climb: 1000'.

Start: Coed Talon Car Park by the old chapel. Grid ref: SJ268588. To get to the car park, approach Coed Talon from Pontybodkin on the A5104. At the Railway Inn, just past the speed camera) turn left along Tir y Ffron lane, signposted "Country Park". The small car park is on the right.

This walk combines two walks from Dave Berry's book " Walks Around Ruabon Mountain, The Clywedog Valley and Hope Mountain". He describes the walks as exploring the attractive countryside between Coed Talon, Llanfynydd, Herob and Ffrith.

Ramshaw Rocks and The Roaches 17th November 2018.

The Roaches from the path on the South side leading to Well Farm.

The Southern end of Ramshaw Rocks.

Ramshaw Rocks.

 Our lunch spot near Hazel Barrow.

Looking towards The Roaches from our lunch spot.

A Common kestrel near Shawside.

Dog-like rock formation on The Roaches.

At the trig point on The Roaches.

On the ridge path across the The Roaches.

Doxey Pool on The Roaches.

Ramshaw Rocks from The Roaches.

Hen Cloud from the West.

Walk stats: Distance: 7.6 miles. Climb: 2308' wind assisted on the GPS, in reality about 1200'.

Time:  hours 43 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.0 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.6 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Celia, Mike and Jim.

The weather today was on the cool side, but out of the wind and in the sunshine it was very pleasant. Distant views were good, but thee was always an air of mist that threatened to clear, but never did.

The wind at at times, particularly as we crossed the The Roaches was too strong for comfort and cold enough to make wearing gloves  necessity.

 Crossing Ramshaw Rocks we only saw a few walkers and rock climbers, but on The Roaches we were never in doubt as to the popularity of this area.

 On this occasion we decided to follow the road from Hazel Barrow past Shawside to Roach End and in so doing avoid the more boggy route near Black Brook.

 Not many birds seen today, although we did get good views of a Common kestrel near Shawside and displaying Ravens near Doxey Pool on the Roaches.

 The surprise of the day was seeing how much damage had been caused by wild fires across The Roaches and areas where walkers are now requested to avoid to enable it to recover.

 Overall a very enjoyable walk capped by a superb pint of Whim Ales, Hartington Bitter in the Wilkes Head in Leek, but I wouldn't expect anything less from my favourite beer.