West Kirby, Hoylake, Gilroy NR and Grange Hill 6th November 2024

West Kirby Marine Lake from the Yacht Club end.

Two female Goosander on West Kirby Marine Lake.

Three female Goosander on West Kirby Marine Lake.

Hilbre Island from West Kirby Marine Lake.

Common redshank and a Herring gull on the pontoon in West Kirby Marine Lake.

A Little egret in the long grass on West Kirby Beach.

Red Rocks from Hilbre Point.

The War Memorial on Grange Hill.

The new information board on Grange Hill.

The view of Hilbre from our lunch spot on Grange Hill.

A different view of the War Memorial on Grange Hill.

Escaping from Grange Hill.

The Parish Church of St. Bridget, West Kirby.

The information board at the entrance of Ashton Park, West Kirby.

The lake in Ashton Park, West Kirby.

Walk stats: 8.6 miles. Climb: 315’,
Time: 4 hours 25 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.6 m.p.h. Overall Walk average: 1.9 m.p.h.
Temperature: 11.5 Celsius to 14.87Celsius
Beaufort Wind Force: Mainly 0-1. Mainly Calm, but occasionally just about a Light air around the marine lake and on Grange Hill at lunch time.
Group: Martyn, Fran and Nigel.
The weather forecast indicated that there was little chance of rain, winds around 8 m.p.h., but little chance of any Sunshine.
This was pretty accurate, although we see brief spells of sunshine was being experience by people a few hundred yards ahead of us. Hilbre Point Lighthouse (now a house) was in sunshine at one point.
Only Goosander, Common redshank and Herring gulls were seen on the Marine Lake this morning. This proved to be quite a dangerous road to walk on, with many vehicles travelling too fast, and some drivers gesturing to us as though we had no right to be walking on the road.
We had hoped to have lunch in Gilroy Nature Reserve, but alas we could find no suitable places to sit. We ended up having lunch on the top of Grange Hill, where there was ample number of benches on offer.
We deviated from the planned route, and ended up at Long Rake Farm on the B5192.
Fruit cake was again provided, and this time there was more evidence of cherries in the pieces of cake on offer.
Distant views over the estuary were rather misty and once more Moel Famau couldn’t be seen. Although, not particularly, the Anglican cathedral in Liverpool could be seen.
Birds seen or heard included: Carrion crow, Feral pigeon, Herring gull, Black headed gull, House sparrow, Pied wagtail, Goosander, Oystercatcher, Eurasian curlew, Common redshank, Meadow pipit, Moorhen, Common coot, Mallard, Tufted duck and Common blackbird.
After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Wheatsheaf at Raby, where brews from the Conwy brewery and Brimstage brewery were sampled.
Overall an enjoyable walk.

West Kirby, Parkgate and RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands 2nd November 2024

 

West Kirby Marine Lake from the yacht club end.

A Turnstone searching for food.

Looking across the estuary towards Wales.

A Common redshank feeding on the beach before the tide comes in.

Hilbre in the mist.

A pair of Goosanders on the Marine Lake.

A male Goosander on the Marine Lake.

West Kirby Marine Lake from the water sports end.

The beach walk to Red rocks - part of the walk on Wednesday 6th November.

Turnstones roosting on the pontoon in West Kirby Marine Lake.

It's only 09-27, but there aren't many spaces left for roadside parking next to the Marine Lake.
Hopefully there will still be one left when we arrive there on Wednesday.

Parkgate from Donkey Stand.

Looking over Neston Reedbeds towards Moel Famau, but there was no chance of seeing the Jubilee Tower today.

The Main Scrape at RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands, taken from the Bunker Hide.

The Centenary Pool from Border Hide.

Teal roosting next to the Centenary Pool.

Shovelers, Teal and  lots of Black tailed godwits on Centenary Pool.

The new Border Pool and in the distance the main Border Pool.

A Great spotted woodpecker at RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands.

A Great spotted woodpecker at RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands.

A pair of Gadwall seen from he Reedbed screen at RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands.

Walk Stats. 

Distance: 5.0 miles. Climb: 100'.

Temperature: 12 Celsius to 14 Celsius, although it felt quite cool at times and I wore my fleece throughout. 

Beaufort Wind Force: 0. Calm throughout, no noticeable wind.

Rather overcast, and at times a little dampness in the air. 

Birds seen or heard today included:  Common redshank, Turnstone, Eurasian curlew, Oystercatcher, Little egret,  Herring gull, Goosander, Feral pigeon, Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Black tailed godwit, Shoveler, Ruff, Teal, Shelduck, Greenfinch, Blue tit, Great tit, Long tailed tit, Mallard, Tufted duck, Pintail, Marsh harrier, European robin, Winter wren, Cetti warbler, Cattle egret, Wigeon, Gadwall, Grey heron, Goldfinch and Great spotted woodpecker.

A good morning at RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands, despite the Visitor Centre being closed. All other facilities including the café were available.

Walks and Dates November 2024.

 

Saturday 2th November 2024.

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

Contact me if you fancy a local Saturday walk.

Wednesday 6th November 2024.

West Kirby, Gilroy Nature Reserve, Grange Hill Caldy Hill and the Wirral Way.

Distance: 9 miles

Climb: 400' .

Start. South Parade, West Kirby. Grid ref: SJ214860. Park near the Life Boat Station and old Baths, towards the Southern end of the Marine Lake.

Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m. 

Those planning to walk: Martyn, .

Those not walking: Mike, .

Usually we start this walk by walking around the Marine Lake and the walking along the beach to Red Rocks, but high tide is at about 13-19 and is at 8.6 m / 28.1.

We should be able to walk along the beach from West Kirby to Red Rocks.

Assuming we can continue the walk in a clockwise direction.

At Red Rocks follow Stanley Road to the cross roads at The King's Gap, turn right and at the roundabout go straight to Station Road.  After crossing the railway turn right into Carr Lane and follow this to its end when it becomes a footpath.  At a junction of paths, turn right towards power lines. When the path meets a fence turn left along the fence. This footpath eventually goes to Gilroy Nature Park and then onto Gilroy Road. 

 From here we will head across Grange Hill and descend to the beacon on Column Road.

 From the beacon, our route takes us south to Caldy Hill to met King's Drive. Heading down hill, turn right onto a path that leads to the Caldy Road.  At Caldy Road we will turn left and the right into Croft Drive West. At the junction with Croft Drive, we will turn right, heading towards the estuary.  We will then turn right and follow the Wirral Way as far as Ashton Park in West Kirby and then head west through the houses back to South Parade and the start of our walk.

Saturday 9th November 2024.

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

Contact me if you fancy a local Saturday walk.

Wednesday 13th November 2024. 

Rhosesmor, Sychdyn and Northop.

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, ..

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 16th November 2024.

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

Contact me if you fancy a local Saturday walk.

Wednesday 20th  November 2024.

The Trent and Mersey Canal, Great Budworth and More.

Start: Marbury Country Park car Park (Pay and Display £2-50 last time). Grid ref: SJ652763.

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

Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, . 

Those not walking: Mike. 

The main 7 mile walk is taken from the "Pathfinders Guide to Cheshire". This is described as a varied walk with plenty of historic interest, including the Anderton Boat Lift.. The extra mileage will be made by exploring the Anderton Nature Park, Marshall's Wood, Carey Park, Ashton's Flash and Neumann's Flash.  Bring binoculars with you if you can. 

Saturday 23rd November 2024.

No walk planned.

Contact me if you fancy a local Saturday walk.

Wednesday 27th November 2022.

Cwm Conwy, Castle Wood and Moel Y Gaer.

Distance:7 - 10 miles. Climb: 1200'.

Start: Rhosesmor. Parking area next to the children's play area. Grid ref:SJ214684.

Leave Chester at 9-00 a.m.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, .

Those not walking: .

This walk is based on a walk  from Dave Berry's book "Walks Around Holywell and Halkyn Mountain".  The Cwm Conwy walk is one of my favourite walks in the Halkyn area at any time of the year. The extension continues the walk as far as the old cemetry at Halkyn, but any additional extension would need to include Halkyn Mountain itself - not to everyone taste! 

Saturday 2rd November 2024.

No walk planned.

Contact me if you fancy a local Saturday walk.

Saturday 13th April 2019.

A Walk Around Disley.

Distance: 9-10 mile. Climb: 1200'.

Start: Disley Station Car Park. Grid ref: SJ972845. (If the car park is full, we will go to Lyme Park and park there, so if you are a National Trust member, bring your membership card with you.)

Leave Chester at 08-45 a.m.

This walk combine a walk from Jen Darling's book "More Pub Walks in Cheshire and the Wirral", with a walk from the "Pathfinders Guide to Cheshire".

The latter route takes us along the Gritstone Trail through Lyme Park and up to the Bowstones, where on a good day you get good views of Shutlingsloe and the Cheshire Plain.  The other walk on the East side of Disley, climbs Black Hill and gives good views towards Kinder.

The last time we did this walk, we did the Disley walk first, that meant we could take advantage of the picnic tables in Lyme Park for lunch.

Walks and Dates December 2024

 

Wednesday 4th December 2024.

 Farms and Halls - the Southern Circular.

An Amazing Whitchurch Round.
Distance: 9.3 miles. Climb: 450!
Start: New starting place. Jubilee Park, Car park Sherrymill Hill, Whitchurch SY13 1BN. Grid ref: SJ537416.

Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, .

Those not walking: Mike, .

As we didn't like the narrow lanes leading t the Brown Moss car park, I have switched to a different car park, the Jubilee Park Car Park.
On approaching Whitchurch on the A41, at the roundabout turn right, continuing on the A41 (Whitchurch by-pass), take first road on left Chemistry/Smallbrook Road. Smallbrook Road leads into Sherrymill Hill with the Jubilee Park on the right.
Leave Chester 09-00 a.m.
The walk description starts from the centre of Whitchurch, but we will start at the Brown Moss Nature Reserve as this is on the route.
This is described as a longish walk that takes in part of the revised Shropshire Way, passing plenty of interesting houses and farms, including Blackoe Cottages, Alkington Hall and Dearnford Hall.

Saturday 7th December 2024

Around Cwm Ceirw.

Distance:8-9 miles.

Climb: 1400'..

Start: Car Park in Cerrigydrudion. Close to the garage on the left approaching the village from the Ruthin road.

Grid ref: SH954488.

Alternative car park a Lay-by east of Llangwm Grid ref: SH966446.

Leave Chester at 09-00. or maybe 08-30.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, .

Those not walking: , .

If time allows I would like to investigate a possible parking area on the A5 just down the road near Glasfryn. It is a layby on the left just before a garage and before entering the village at Grid ref: SH917502. If this parking area is OK then there are another a couple of good walks that start from Glasfryn that we can do.

This walk is taken from Dave Berry's book "Walks around Hiraethog Moors and Lakes" or the updated booklet " Walks in the Hidden Heart of North Wales"..

He describes it as a walk exploring the the remote hills and valleys between Cerrigydrudion and Llangwm.

Wednesday 11th December 2024.

St. Cwyfan's Trail and More.

Distance: 9-10 miles. 

Climb: 770'.
Start: Roadside parking in Llandyrnog on the Llangynhafal road (Gladstone Terrace) . Park on the wider part of the road after Nant Glyd. Grid ref: SJ109650.
Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.

Those planning to walk to date: Martyn, .

Those not walking: ,

The main part of the walk is taken from Dave Berry's book "Walks in the Clwydian Hills" and the extension is around the lower slopes of Penycoddiau along the Clwydian Way.
It is described as a delightful walk in the countryside North of Llandyrnog and visits the smallest church in the Vale of Clwyd.

Saturday 14th December 2024.

Around Bosley Cloud.

Distance: 8- 9 miles. Climb:1200'.

Start: Lay-by on the A523, South of its junction with the A54. Grid ref: SJ917657.

Leave Chester at 08-30.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, . 

Those not walking: .

This walk is taken from Jen Darling's book "Best Pub Walks in Cheshire", although we won't take her advice on the local hostelries! The walk takes us to the top of Bosley Cloud with its panoramic views over the Cheshire plain.. After visiting the trig point on Bosley Cloud, the walk heads West to meet up with the Macclesfield Canal, which we follow for an easy four mile stretch.

Wednesday 18th December 2024.

Wepre Park, Aston Hill and Northop Hall.

Distance: 9.5 miles. Climb: 860'.
Start: Wepre Park, South of Wepre Drive, Connah's Quay. Grid ref: SJ295684.
Leave Chester at 09-30 a.m. (to start walking by about 10-00.)

Those planning to walk: Martyn, .

Those not walking: .
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, our route eventually follows the dismantled railway track shown on the original route that will leads us back to Wepre.

Saturday 21st December 2024.

No Planned Walk. 

Contact me if you want a walk to escape from last minute Christmas shopping.

Wednesday 25th December 2024.

No walk.

Saturday 28th December 2024.

No planned walk.

Contact me if you want me to organise a walk.

Wednesday 1st January 2025.

Let me know if you want me to organise a walk on this day. 

If you do want a walk, let me know how long you want the walk to be.

The Leete, Around Cilcain Reservoirs, Moel Famau and Ffrith Mountain 31st October 2024

 

The Alyn from the bridge at Loggerheads.

Part of the Leete Path heading northward.

More of the Leete Path heading northward.

The entrance to mine workings, seen from the Leete.

On the Leete Path.

Our first view of the restored site after removing the two reservoirs.

A different view of the restored site, showing the breach in the dam wall and Nant Gain flowing through it.

Nant Gain flowing into the restored site.

Nant Gain flowing through the restored sit (after the removal of the west reservoir).

The upper reservoir (south of Garth farm).

The upper reservoir seen from our lunch spot.

"I don't think it is worth going to the top of Moel Famau for the view!"

Back on track, after missing out the summit of Moel Famau.

Looking south east across the slopes of Ffrith Mountain.

A magnificent oak in autumnal colours.

Walk stats: 10.4 miles. Climb: 1332’
Time: 5 hours 46 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.3 m.p.h. Overall Walk average: 1.8 m.p.h.
Temperature: 10.6 Celsius to 11.8 Celsius
Beaufort Wind Force: Mainly 0. Calm, never enough to measure or drive the mist /low clouds away.
Group: Martyn, Fran and Nigel.
The weather forecast indicated that there was little chance of rain, winds around 4 m.p.h., mist early on. In fact, Moel Famau and the Clwydian never put in an appearance, just like the Sun!
This walk was planned at the last minute, and its main objective was to see how the Nant Gain restoration had been completed after removing two small reservoirs.
Nature seemed to have taken over already and with vegetation on both sides of the river. Part of one of the eastern damhad been removed to allow the river to flow through it.
As we were overlooking the restored site, we all were convinced that we had heard an owl calling.
We had planned to have lunch at the top of Moel Famau, but decided not to climb that high as we would have been in the mist / cloud. Instead, we stopped on the Tir Gofal path north of Pwll-y-Rhos where there plenty of suitable stones on which to sit.
Fruit cake was provided, the first tasting of the last of the fruit cakes made last January.
Despite the overcast conditions, non-existent distant views, this was an enjoyable varied walk.
We were even able to have a chat with the Ranger at Loggerheads where he informed us about the flood damage that occurred two weeks ago and what work was now being done to rectify the damage.
Birds seen or heard included: Carrion crow, Raven, Common buzzard, Tawny owl, Common pheasant, Red grouse, Winter wren, Woodpigeon and Stonechat
After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Glasfryn, where Purple Moose’s Cwrw Eryri was the refreshing beer of choice. The drive enjoyed her pot of tea.