Another Stroll from Home to Shotton 11th July 2026

Wildflowers near Saltney Ferry Footbridge.

Looking towards Queensferry from Saltney Ferry Footbridge.

One crop ready for harvesting.

Rising tide after the bore had passed.

Looking across the river towards Moel Famau.

One crop ready to harvest and another(possibly potatoes) needs more time.

Looking across the river towards Hawarden Castle.

One crop in the process of being harvested.

A field of Maize, still needing to grow a little more before harvesting.

A steady stream of traffic over the Queensferry Road Bridge.

Not so much traffic crossing the old Queensferry Bridge

 (Swing Bridge  Blue Bridge).

Not many pedestrians or cyclists crossing Hawarden Bridge at the moment.

Hedge bindweed?

A Transport for Wales Train crossing Hawarden Bridge on the way to Wrexham.

The pedestrian way across Hawarden Bridge.

The wildflowers in the Alexandra Road Park, Shotton.

Fox sculpture in the Alexandra Road Park, Shotton.

Owl sculpture in the Alexandra Road Park, Shotton.

Distance: 5.7 miles.  Climb: 200'.
Time: 2 hours 30 minutes.  Overall walk average: 2.3 m.p.h.
Temperature: 20.2 Celsius at the start. 22.3 Celsius in the shade at the end of the walk. 27.5 Celsius in the Sun near Hawarden Bridge.
Beaufort Wind Force: Max 2, a 5 m.p.h. Light breeze.
Birds seen or heard today included: Lesser black back gull, Herring gull, Black headed gull, House sparrow, Greater whitethroat, Goldfinch, Jackdaw, Barn swallow, Carrion crow, House martin, Lapwing, Grey heron, Little egret, Common kestrel, Winter wren, Common blackbird, Mallard, Great cormorant, Woodpigeon, Black billed magpie, Feral pigeon and Oystercatcher.
I left the house at 07-00, in order to finish my walk before the hottest part day. I arrived at the Central Hotel in Shotton, at 09-30 with temperature only a couple degrees or so higher than when I started. Plenty of people had decided to do the same, and even the cyclists seemed happy to take it easy, no-one doing time trials today!
The surprise of the day was seeing the tidal bore, so small and quiet, I nearly missed it!
It very noticeable that some crops had been harvested, others about to be and a couple needing a bit longer.
The wild flowers near Saltney Ferry Footbridge were nowhere near as good as they were a few weeks ago.  However, the wildflowers on Alexandra Road park were still pretty good.
Overall, a very pleasant stroll, worthy of celebrating with a breakfast and a cup of tea or two or even three!

Walks and Dates July 2026

Advanced Notice.

Wednesday 1st July 2026

The usual first Wednesday in the month short walk will not take place today so that many of the usual group can go to Meirion Ellis's Funeral.

Meirion’s funeral, will be held at Chester Crematorium at 12.00 on Wednesday 1st July.

John says that everybody is welcome to attend the funeral.

After the funeral there will be a celebration of Meirion’s life at Upton Golf Club and, again, all are welcome to attend.

 Wednesday 8th July 2026.

A Walk From Hadlow Station.

Distance: 4.1 miles. 5.5 miles with optional extension. (The extension comes at the end of the 4.1 miles main walk.

Climb: 65’. 82’ with optional extension.

Start Hadlow Station Car park: Grid ref: SJ332773 Post code: CH64 2UF.

Take the A540 from Chester. After passing the garden centre turn right onto the B5151 to Willaston. The car park is on the right immediately after going over the former railway crossing. (Turn in front of s garage).

Leave Chester 09-00.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, Sue and Michel, Nigel, Elaine, Fran .

Those not walking:  Mike,  .

This is another walk taken from Anthony Annekin-Smith's book "Wirral Walks".

We have walked many times from Hadlow station, but this walk includes several paths that we haven't used on previous walks.

The route passes through quite farming country and includes Roman, medieval and turnpike roads. If they are still there, we will go past some Black poplars, one of the UK's rarest trees.

The walk final part of the main walk is along a short section of the Wirral Way.

Wednesday 15th July 2026.

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

Cancelled.

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 .

Those not walking: Mike, 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.

Wednesday 22nd July 2026.

A Two Canal Walk from the Anderton Boat Lift.

Distance: 8-9 miles, Climb: < 400ft

Start; Anderton Boat Museum Car Park, Lift Lane, Anderton - CW9 6FW - SJ646754. Pay & Display.

Leave Chester 09-00.

Those planning to walk: Martyn (I will drive) , .

Those not walking: Mike, Nigel.

From the Anderton lift descend to Winnington Swing Bridge and take the Weaver Navigation tow path downstream almost to Acton Swing Bridge. Here go right and up a slight rise to gain the Trent & Mersey Canal at Bridge 208. Go right along the tow path to Bridge 207 where go off left to reach Little Leigh. Suggested lunch break in the village. Leave Little Leigh on a path which leads back to the Trent & Mersey at Bridge 204. Continue left along the tow path and negotiate two tunnels by walking over the top. The descent from the top of Barnton Tunnel and another mile of tow path leads back to the car park.

Wednesday 29thJuly 2026.

Chirk - Offa's Dyke, Two Canal Tunnels and a Castle.

Distance: 9.0 miles. Climb: 800'.
Start: Chirk Centre Car Park. Grid ref: SJ291377 or roadside parking on Ffordd-yr-Orsaf (Station Road) Grid ref: SJ285377.

Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.
Those planning to walk: Martyn,  . 

Those not walking: Mike.

This walk is taken from Dave berry's booklet “Walks Around the Berwyns and The Ceiriog Valley". It is described as a walk of great variety and explores the attractive undulating countryside around Chirk. At times it follows the Offa's Dyke Footpath. Part of the route follows the Llangollen canal towpath and includes going through a short tunnel we may in fact go through a second tunnel. You may wish to bring a torch, but there is a handrail to guide you.

A Forgotten Halow Walk 8th July 2-26.

The start of our walk fom Hadlow Station.

When Hadlow Stion was working a it was meant to do so!

Hadlow Station , the start of our walk.

Crossing the first crop field (taken  by F.)

I hope crossing fields will always be a easy as this!

It mist be this way!

This is the way,  believe it or  not.

Friendly  Alpacas

"I don't think so".

Photo by F.

" Do you remember Jenny?"

Can you  spot a Black poplar, we couldn't!

We didn't spot  Black poplar here either!

Up for a fight, but hopefully only verbally.

Phpto taken by E.

On the way to the Wirral Way.

Less than a mile to go!

Distance: 4.4 miles.

Climb: 82'.

Time: 2 hours 19 minutes.  

Climb:
Time: 2 hours 19 minutes.
On the move walking average: 2.5 m.p.h.
Overall walk average: 1.9 m.p.h.
Temperature: Max - 31.2 Celsius in Sun. Mainly around 27 Celsius when not in the Sun.
Beaufort Wind Force: Max - 1, just Light air briefly felt towards the end of the walk.
Group: Martyn, Sue and Michel, Fran, Nigel and Elaine.
The weather forecast indicated that the temperature could reach the high twenties by mid-afternoon, so everyone agreed to a leave Chester at 09-00, rather than the usual 10-00 for our short walks.
The south of the river contingent were delayed by traffic and road works issues, so were late arriving at the start point. We arrived to find the Upton contingent ready and waiting and wondering why it has taken us so long.
Nevertheless, we were still able to start walking well before 10-00.
We were all impressed with the amount of work that had been done on the old Hadlow Station, particularly around the thriving cafe. Hadlow station had had an upgrade, making it a go to place for cyclists, walkers and coffee shop lovers alike.
I didn't expect a lot from this walk, but managed to get round without too many problems in route finding.
We had wall to wall blue skies all day, and instead of seeking the Sun, we were more happy to be walking on the shade. We were walking across fields, that today were dry.snd the ground hard, but we did recognise that it had the potential to be a muddy encounter had we done the walk on the Winter!
No unusual features to look out for, except for some Black poplar trees, and we weren't sure we saw them!
Birds seen or heard today included: Common blackbird, Common buzzard, Goldfinch, House sparrow, Long tailed tit, Woodpigeon and Carrion crow.
We did se lots of butterflies, including: Painted lady, Small white, Large white and Meadow brown.
We had a couple of "hydration" stops on route, on keeping with the "World Cup"!
We arrived back at the start, having had a pleasant stroll around this part of Wirral, but looking forward to lunch, if we could find a seat on the shade.
Thankfully we did find a couple of benches pm the east side of Hadlow Station, pm the opposite platform to always busy cafe!
And the best not of the walk, was enjoying lunch together, in the shade on those benches on Hadlow Station!
The Upton contingent probably joined up again at the Wealstone for a couple of refreshing drinks, so I thought I would do likewise, and went to the Square Bottle for a pint of Plum Porter and Black dragon cider!

RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands NR 4th July 2026

 A Few Photos from my stroll around RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands NR Today.

Grey heron on Reception Pool.

A Greylag goose on The Mere.

Great willowherb.

Rosebay willowherb.

Bindweed.

Oystercatcher on Bridge Pool near Marsh Covert Hide.

Red soldier beetle on a thistle heard.

A female Tufted duck with at least eight ducklings.

An Oak eggar moth caterpillar.

A young Moorhen foraging on the boardwalk.

Black tailed godwits, Knot and Shelduck on Centenary Pool.

Lapwing  on Centenary Pool.

Black tailed godwits, Black headed gulls and a Spotted redshank on Centenary Pool.

Black tailed godwit, Black headed gull and the Spotted redshank.

A different Spotted redshank on Centenary Pool.

A feeding Buff tailed bumble bee.

The beauty of a thistle head.

A Great white egret on the Reception Pool.

Looking over the Main Scrape towards Moel Famau.

Birds seen or heard at RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands NR today included: Woodpigeon, Common blackbird, Black headed gull, Teal, Avocet, Shoveler, Shelduck, Jackdaw, Common coot, Moorhen, Tufted duck, Mallard, Lapwing, Grey heron, Little egret, Great white egret, Canada goose, Black tailed godwit, Knot, Greylag goose, Chiffchaff, Sedge warbler, Great whitethroat, Winter wren, Dunnock, Goldfinch, Blackcap, Cetti warbler and Marsh harrier.

An Early Morning Walk Along River to Chester 24th June 2026

Wildflowers at the Saltney Ferry Footbridge Parking area.

A better picture of the wildflower at the Saltney Ferry Footbridge parking area.

The Ox-eye daisies haven't woken up yet!

The Cornflowers are looking good.

Looking towards Saltney from the Saltney Ferry Footbridge.

The footpath all to myself! 

I rarely had the path to myself, even during the solo walking days of the pandemic!

The Black Poplar 

(Grown at Chester Zoo and the sapling was planted here on te Welsh side of the border before the pandemic).

Lady's bedstraw next to the Coastal Path.

Pedestrian traffic lights on the riverside path at The Cop on Sealand Road, Chester.

Major works requiring pedestrian traffic lights at The Cop, Sealand Road, Chester.

Looking towards Crane Wharf on the way to Chester.

Gateway to The Roodee Racecourse.

The Riverside Promenade past the racecourse.

Spot the Great cormorant perched on the branch of a dead tree.

The Groves, Chester.

Grosvenor Park, Chester.

Preparing for a major event in Grosvenor Park.

I think this is that event.

Distance: 5 miles. Climb: 200'.
Time: 1 hour 50 minutes. 
Overall walk average: 2.7 m.p.h.
An early start, I was on Saltney Ferry Footbridge before 07-00, when the temperature was very pleasant, around 20 Celsius. However, by the time I arrived at Chester Roodee Racecourse, it was already starting to feel too warm and quite muggy. The feel-like temperature must have been getting close to 30 Celsius.
Ideally, I should have left home and hour earlier than I did, but had I done that I might have arrived before the Square Bottle was open, and I would have to wait for my breakfast!
Today was more of a bird hearing walk than a birdwatching walk.
Birds seen and heard  today included: Carrion crow, Jackdaw, House sparrow, Winter wren, House martin, Barn swallow, Long tailed tit, Mallard, European robin, Great cormorant, Herring gull, Lesser black back gull, Black headed gull, Oystercatcher, Common blackbird and Woodpigeon.
Birds only heard: Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Greenfinch, Common buzzard, Sedge warbler, Greater whitethroat, Collared dove
and Black billed magpie.
The newly created wildflower area by Saltney Ferry Footbridge car parking area was still looking good, even if the Ox-eye daisies hadn't fully opened up.  The Cornflowers were even better than they were on Sunday.
Plenty of early morning dog walkers were out along the riverside path (Coastal Path), as well as a few cyclists (thankfully none were lycra louts!).
I arrived at the Square Bottle, thankful that I had decided to have a walk in the "coolest" part of the day, but still needing to change my shirt  before going on for an excellent full English breakfast.

I arrived home and measured the temperature at home. It was 29.7 Celsius in the shade and 36.7 Celsius in the direct sunshine in front of my house.

Wildflowers growing in the pots at home.

Wildflowers growing in the pots at home.

Wildflowers growing in the pots at home.