Thursaston Common, Royden Park, Stapledon Wood, Caldy and More 9th October 2024.

View across the estuary towards North Wales from the Wirral Way ayt Thursaston.

Grazing Canada geese.

A new sign to the Dungeon.

The Dungeon ahead.

View across the estuary from the top of the Dungeon steps.

Looking at the waterfall in the Dungeon.

St. Bartholomew's Church, Thursaston.

Is this an old bell tower in the grounds of St. Bartholomew's Church?

If not, DS will put us right!

The front of St. Bartholomew's Church,

Autumnal colour as the bracken starts to die back.

At the toposcope on Thursaston Hill.

Volunteers cutting back the vegetation around the trig point on Thursaston Hill.

Royden Park Pond life.

A Moorhen on the water lilies on Royden Park Pond.

The view from our lunch spot in the gazebo in the Royden Park Walled Garden.

Under the laburnum arch in the Walled Garden in Royden Park.

Caldy Church of the Resurrection and All Saints.

Looks lik we can make it back to Thursaston Country Park along the beach.

Hilbre Island from Caldy beach.

A couple of Turnstones.

A few more Turnstones.

The fisherman's cottage on the beach at Thursaston.

Thursaston Country Park pond and some of the birdlife.

Thursaston Station and the end of our walk.

Walk stats: 8.6 miles. Climb: 650’
Time: 4 hours 31 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.5 m.p.h. Overall Walk average: 1.9 m.p.h.
Temperature: Mainly around 12 Celsius at the start. Max 14.7 Celsius at lunch in the Walled Garden in Royden Park
Beaufort Wind Force: Mainly 0-2. Mainly Calm, but did rise to a 5.7 m.p.h. Light breeze at the toposcope on Thursaston Hill.
Group: Martyn and Mike.
The weather forecast wasn’t very good, with around 50% chance of rain all day, but not feeling cold and not much wind.
That was pretty accurate, and my umbrella was up more often than not.
Lunch time and just after was probably the longest spell of no rain that we had.
Once gain we took advantage of the gazebo in the Walled Garden in Royed Park for lunch.
The distant views were not very clear, with low cloud being very low on the Welsh sie of the estuary. Moel Famau was hiding in cloud all day.
We managed to walk along the beach from Clady to Thursaston Country Park, and with the incoming tide high up the beach, we had good close-up views of several waders.
Birds seen or heard included: Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Woodpigeon, Common blackbird, Blue tit, Coal tit, Black billed magpie, Little egret, Moorhen, Common coot, Mallard, Mute swan, Oystercatcher, Common redshank, Canada goose, Great crested grebe, Common buzzard, Grey heron, Turnstone, Dunlin, Eurasian curlew and Wigeon.
Overall, an enjoyable walk, despite the many showers.
After walk drinks were enjoyed, sitting by the fire at Rake Hall. Brimstage Brewery’s Trappers Hat was the beer of choice.

Walks and Dates October 2024

Latest Information About Harris Hikers from 23rd March 2023.

After much discussion between group members, those present decided to follow DS’s suggestion that “Short walks with an. option of a meal at a nearby venue” should take place on the fifth Wednesday in a month, and members of the group would take it in turns to plan the walk and venue.
There is only one such Wednesdays left in 2024. 

This is  October 30th.

It was also agreed that Wednesday Walks should in the main be walks of around 8 miles with no more than about 1200’ of climb. If proposed walks exceed these suggestions routes should have obvious short cuts to reduce distance and / or climb involved.
It was also agreed that each month a different member of the group should plan the walk.
This walk should be for the Wednesday in the month and that would include the “Short Walk and Meal Option” on the fifth Wednesday.
In order to include that walk in the monthly “Dates and Walks Post", details of the walk need to be sent to me by 15th of the previous month.
Wherever possible I would like people to let me know of their intention to walk or not to walk by Monday afternoon/early evening prior to the walk on Wednesday. There isn’t an issue with last minute cancellations for any reason. This happens anyway when adverse weather is forecast at the last minute.
Where the “Short Walk and Meal” is concerned, the person planning the walk and meal should

be contacted directly and informed of their intentions as soon as you have made your decision.

I am always happy to receive suggestions for Wednesday, Saturday or the Short Walk on 30th October.

Wednesday 2nd October 2024.

Moel Famau, Moel Dywyll and Moel Llys-y-coed.

Distance: 8.0 miles. Climb: 1700'.
Start: Car park area West of Cilcain. Grid ref: SJ170652.

Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.

Those planning to walk: Martyn (I will drive, picking Mike up just before 09-00), Fran, Mike.

Those not walking: Sue and Michel, Nigel.

To get to the parking area, at the crossroads in Cilcain turn right (Westward), past the White Horse, Church and Village hall, at the end of a few houses on the right turn, left and the parking area is a few hundred yards further on on the right. 
This walk includes three hills along Offa's Dyke Footpath - Moel Famau, Moel Dywyll and Moel Llys-y-coed. The latter hill is not one of my favourite hills in the Clwydian range.  It is the ascent from North to South that I dislike so much, the fact that we will be descending from South to North - last time we did the walk in 2020, I think it was much better.
 On a good clear day we should get excellent views in all directions.
The last time we did this walk, we missed a path and then encountered a farmer that accused us of missing the path sign and ending up in his farm yard.  This time we will take a different path and so avoid any chance of confrontation.

Saturday 5th October 2024.

Traeth Lafan and Its Foothills.

Distance:7-8 miles. Climb:1000'.

Start: Abergwyngeryn Free Car Park Grid ref: SH0652728. Post code: LL33 0LF

PC (opens about 09-30) nearby and a café at the outdoor centre that allows walkers to use the toilets (opens earlier than PC.)

Leave Chester at 08-30 a.m.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, Mike.

Those not walking: .

This walk taken from Dave Berry's book "Walks On the North Wales Coast". The Traeth Lafan and it Foothills. This walk is an annual favourite and has in the past given us some wonderful experiences, especially in Winter trampling through soft fluffy knee deep snow, that didn't stick or wet our legs.  You never know we may get some  snow, this time too. It should be worthwhile bringing binoculars with you as we may visit The Spinnies Nature Reserve on the way back to our car.

This walk is described as walk of contrasting coastal and upland scenery with good views from the higher points on the North Wales path.

 This time we will use the road to The Spinnies, and avoid the unpleasant smelly muddy experience of taking the path through the farm yard,

High Tide is at about 12-45  and is 9.1m / 29.7', so hopefully we will arrive at The Spinnies at a time when we might have a better chance of seeing a Kingfisher.

Wednesday 9th October 2024.

Thurstaston Common, Stapledon Wood, Caldy and More.

Distance: 8-9 miles. Climb: 700'
Start: Thurstaston Visitor Centre Car Park. Grid ref:SJ239835.

Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.

Those planning to walk: Martyn and Nigel.

Those not walking: Mike, Sue and Michel, Fran.

This is a repeat of the walk that we did last las April, but is a good walk to do at any time of the year. and combines two walks from Raymond Roberts' booklet "Wirral Walks - the West Wirral Six". This is a relatively easy walk with good views along the way, especially from Thurstaston Hill. We hope to walk back Thurstaston along the beach, if the tide hasn't covered the beachby the time we get there, so bring binoculars with you.  The Winter waders have started to arrive,  so hopefully we will see  some waders as the tide pushes them towards us. High tide is at 15-25 and is a 26.4' tide (8.1 m), 

Saturday 12th October 2024.

No walk planned - Going for my flu jab at 09-02.

Contact me if you fancy a local Saturday walk.

Wednesday 16th October 2024.

Rhosesmor, Sychdyn and Northop.

Postponed due to a very wet weather forecast all day.

Distance: 9.0 miles. Climb: 1000'.

Start: Parking area next to playground, Rhosesmor. Grid ref: SJ214681.

Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, Nigel, Fran.

Those not walking: Mike, Sue and Michel.

This walk includes the "Northop - Sychdyn" walk from the booklet "Rural Walks in Flintshire". The "Northop - Sychdyn" walk starts from Northop and is only five miles. The car park in Northop is very small, and when I went on a reccy it was full. Starting at Rhosesmor overcomes that problem and extends the walk by four miles.

The "Northop - Sychdyn" walk is described as including a traveller's resting place, grand houses, parkland and woodland. It is also described as a moderate walk with many stiles and some boggy places.

The "Northop - Sychdyn" walk was completed fo the fist time in 2016.

 The link-up paths from Rhosesmor include many of the paths that we have used on Gwystaney walks from the same parking area.

Saturday 19th October 2024.

No walk planned.

Contact me if you fancy a Saturday walk.

Wednesday 23rd October 2024.
Leasowe Lighthouse to New Brighton.
Distance 9-10 miles Climb: 200'.
Start: North Wirral Coastal Park car park. Grid ref: SJ257915.
To get to this car park, instead of turning left towards the lighthouse, as the A551 turns right onto Leasowe Road, go straight on (past PC block on right and café /snack hut on left). This car park has a good tarmac surface.
Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.
Those planning to walk: Martyn.
Those not walking: Mike, Fran, Sue and Michel.
Usually this is a walk along the beach to Perch Rock Fort, However this time, High tide is at about 15-55, 8.2 m, 27.0'. We should be able to walk along the beach s far as Perch Fort Rock,  although we still have the option of to walk along the promenade. From Perch Fort Rock, we will continue onto Vale Royal Park (where we in the past we have had lunch) and onto Wallasey Gardens. Hopefully the weather will be a little less windy than last recent years, but if it is there is always the Wind Shelters by the Marine lake to sit in as we have lunch.
 It is quite some time since we last did this walk, and I thought it would be a change to do it when it is less likely to be too Wintery!
Saturday 26th October 2024.
No walk planned.
Contact me if you fancy a Saturday walk.
Wednesday 30th October 2024.
This is the fifth Wednesday in the month, a Wednesday that we said would be a short walk followed by the option of a  meal.
Volunteer needed to organise this walk and meal.

Traeth Lavan and Its Foothills 5th October 2024.

 

Looking down over Abergwyngregyn.

Looking towards Penrhyn Castle and Anglesey.Looking over Abergwyngregyn  towards the Great Orme.

Panorama looking towards the coast as we joined the North Wales Path.

The northern Carneddau from the point where we joined the North Wales Path.

A delightful section of the North Wales Path.

Eryri's Mountains.

Eryri's Mountains.

Penrhyn Castle from Tal-y-bont

Sailing on the Menai Straights.

The Spinnies Nature Reserve from the main hide.

Not a good photo, but you can just make out the Little egrets roosting at high tide.

One of four Mute swans on the sea at Aber-Ogwen.

The wonderful sound of the sea.

The coastal panorama from Coed Gyfynys.

The view of the Great Orme (looking like an island) and the Little Orme as we approached Cwrtiau.

I may not look easier, but it's better than it was!

Part of the raft of Wigeon on the sea near Cwrtiau.

Walk stats: 8.9 miles. Climb: 1171
Time: 5 hours 30 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.4 m.p.h.
Overall Walk average: 1.6 m.p.h.

Temperature: 14.8 Celsius at the start, but mainly around 11.8 Celsius
Beaufort Wind Force: Mainly 0-2. Mainly Calm, but did rise to a 7.5 m.p.h. Light breeze at the highest point in the walk (around 950’).
Group: Martyn and Mike.
The weather forecast looked good, in fact it turned out to be a perfect day for walking., not too hot, not too cold, very little wind and lots of sunshine.
This is one of my favourite walks although only reaching an elevation of about 950’, it gives superb views towards Puffin Island, Anglesey and the Great Orme. You also get good views of Eryri, particularly the northern peaks of the Carneddau.
After visiting The Spinnies Nature Reserve, we had lunch at the Aber Ogwen picnic site, before continuing along the coastal path back to Abergwyngregyn
Even the difficult bit on the path where lots of rubble has been dumped, was easier today, with some rubble placed to make it easier to climb from the beach up to the access track.
Birds seen or heard included: Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Meadow pipit, Stonechat, Red billed chough, Woodpigeon, Common blackbird, Blue tit, Coal tit, Black billed magpie, Little egret, Moorhen, Common coot, Mallard, Mute swan, Oystercatcher, Common redshank and Wigeon.
Overall, an enjoyable walk and capped with a visit to the Albion in Conwy, where Hafod Brewery’s Vanilla Stout went down well, as did the Gwynt-y-Draig’s Black Dragon cider.
Once again, home earlier enough to clean my boots outside and remove the evidence that we had been walking in sheep country!

Moel Famau, Moel Dywyll and Moel Llys-y-Coed from Cilcain 2nd October 2024

 

First view of Moel Famau.

On the unexpected path and a new path for some.

Now which way, Mike.

There's no way across the Nant Gain, so do we go now?

Heading for Garth.

The Clwydian "Sycamore"

The trudge along the "Tir Gofal" path.

"I hope we make it to the top!"

Looking down to the upper reservoir from the Tir Gofal Path.*

The Jubilee Tower on Moel Famau.

The view from our lunch spot.

Offa's Dyke Footpath from Moel Famau towards Moel Dywll

Flooded fields in the Vale of Clwyd.

Moel Arthur ahead, but only to look at today.

The final descent down the steps on Moel Llys-y-coed.

Looking towards the Vale of Clwyd from th foot of Moel Llys-y-coed.

There is a good crop of berries on the Rowan trees this year.

That looks as though it wil be good fun to get round!

Final views of Moel Famau from near the viewpoint near the start.

Walk stats: 8.2 miles. Climb: 1837' (wind assisted GPS reading). 1728' (Memory Map calculation).

Time: 5 hours 20 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.1 m.p.h. Overall Walk average: 1.5 m.p.h.
Temperature: 10.1 Celsius / 12.1 Celsius. Mainly around 11 Celsius.
Beaufort Wind Force: Mainly 3, a Gentle breeze, but increasing to 4, a Moderate breeze along Offa’s Dyke Footpath from Moel Famau to Moel Llys-y-coed.
Group: Martyn, Mike and Fran
The day didn’t start well, we arrived to find the first Viewpoint car park full with cars from a large Ramblers Group. Thankfully the higher viewpoint car park still had a couple of spaces left.
The planned route was to walk down the road as far as the former pumping station, but alas today the road was flooded, passable with wellies, but not walking boots.
We decided to get round this by taking a path that headed to a farm called Garth, hoping to rejoin a good path that goes along the south side of the reservoirs. Unfortunately, the place where we expected to cross the river was also was not passable. Nant Gain was too deep at the ford. Rather than retrace our seps back to the start, we headed along to path that ended at Garth, where we used the access track to get back to the footpath we wanted. After passing the upper reservoir, we headed up a Tir Gofal (Care for the land agreement) path leading to Pwll-y-Rhos and then joined the Offa’s Dyke Footpath west of Moel Famau.
Reaching the tower, it was very difficult finding a sheltered spot out of the wind. We eventually used one of the alcoves in the Jubilee Tower that had a ledge that we were able to sit on. Martyn’s cup of soup was knocked over and Fran spilt her coffee milk which was mopped up using one of Martyn’s shirts.
After lunch we returned to the Offa’s Dyke Footpath and followed it northward over Moel Dywyll and Moel Llys-y-coed. The Sun had now decided to shine on us and it seemed much warmer than the 12.1 Celsius measured.
Distant views weren’t that clear, but we could see lots of flooding in he fields in the Vale of Clwyd.
The final part of the walk was along the bridleway leading to Gronfell, and it was along this that we encountered another flood that was too deep to walk through. This time there was a slightly raised bank that were able to use with care to get round the flood.
We arrived back at the car, having had a good and varied walk, with more challenges than we expected.
Birds seen or heard today were few, but included: Wood nuthatch, House sparrow, Red legged partridge, Red grouse, Common pheasant, Great cormorant, Common buzzard, Meadow pipit and Raven.
After walk drinks were enjoyed at Rake Hall, where Brimstage’s Oystercatcher and Trapper’s Hat were sampled. It was a good cup tea as well!

I arrived home at 18-00, but still managed to clean my boots before going out at 19-00.