About Me

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When? Started: 1993 Who? Started with staff and friends from U H S, Chester. Organiser: Martyn Harris We walk every Wednesday and Saturdays, New Years day and May Day. How many walk? Walks take place as long as there are at least 2 wanting to walk on that day. More walk on a Wednesday than on a Saturday. Most ever: 29. Current group size walking: 2-7 in mid-week and 2-4 on Saturday. Where do we walk? Saturday: Anywhere in North and Mid-Wales, Peak District, Shropshire and the Long Mynd and as far North as the Trough of Bowland. Thursday: Anywhere within about 40 miles of Chester. Type of walk: Distance: 6 – 14 miles (but usually under 10 miles). Climb: up to 4000’ (but usually very much less!). People involved on walks in 2024:- Martyn Harris, Fran Murphy, Sue and Michel Pelissier, Mike Dodd, David Savage,, Ed Meads, Nigel and Elaine Taylor, Winston Feather.

Sunday, 22 February 2026

Llyn Geirionydd and Llanrhychwyn Church from Trefriw 21st February 2026

War Memoria in Trefriw, the start of our walk.
The lower Fairy Falls, Trefriw.
The Fairy Falls, Trefriw.
Another view of the Fairy Falls.
On the path through Coed y Wern.
Mike strids out to catch up after stopping to remove one of his garments.
Rainbow over Crafnant Valley.
Ed about to cross stone bridge.
Heading for Llyn Geirionydd.
The Llyn Geirionydd Monument.
The end of Llyn Geirionydd in mist.
It's not much better that way either!
At least someone is getting something from this Moderate breeze.
The boggy terrain that is our way to Llanrhychwyn Church.
The view from our lunch spot at the lychgate of Llanrhychwyn church.
Daffodils and Snowdrops at Llanrhychwyn Church.
I hope the Snowdrops will be better at Llantysilio Green next Wednesday.
Impressive moss on the wall at Llanrhychwyn.
The Grey Mare's Tail waterfalls.
"Smoke" rising from the trees.
The Gower Bridge, Llanrwst, but we won't be crossing it today.
This is the shortest way back to the start when it's lashing down with rain.
Distance: 7.2 miles.
Climb: 1312’. Wind assisted GPS reading)
Time: 4 hour 32 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.5 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.6 m.p.h.
Temperature: 10.5 Celsius. 11.5 Celsius at lunch next to Llanrhychwyn church.
Beaufort Wind Force: Mainly 3, just a Gentle breeze, but occasionally gusting to 4, a Moderate breeze Moderate breeze.
Group: Martyn, Mike and Ed.
The weather forecast for today wasn’t very good, but Ed was on holiday in Llandudno so we were committed to walk whatever the weather.
Until lunch time, the weather wasn’t too bad, although there was dampness in the air as we approached Llyn Geirionydd. In fact, the end of the lake was in cloud!
Distant views were none existent, and even Moel Siabod was out of view. Ed thought he may have just glimpsed a little of it.
Lunch was taken in the shelter of the lychgate at Llanrhychwyn Church.
With all of the recent rain, there was plenty of water coming down the streams and rivers, making the Fairy Falls and The Grey Mare’s Tail pretty impressive.
Not as many birds around today, but the birds seen or heard today included: European robin, Common blackbird, Herring gull, Black headed gull, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Great cormorant, House sparrow, Woodpigeon, Black billed magpie, Goosander, Mallard, Dunnock, Blue tit, Great tit and Grey heron.
Overall, an enjoyable walk, despite being in torrential rain for the last hour.  It's the wettest I have finished a walk for a long time, but at least our boots were clean!
After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Albion Inn in Conwy, where Ed was happy with his couple pints of Hafod’s Plum Porter and Mike enjoyed is Purple Moose’s Snowdonia Ale.
I had Coco cola, as a pot of tea wasn’t an option.

Thursday, 19 February 2026

The Little Orme and on to Rhos-on-Sea 18th February 2026

Setting off to the Little Orme.
Only sheep in the field today, the donkeys must be on holiday!
At the trig point on Little Orme Head.
Llandudno Bay and the Great Orme from the Little Orme.
Distant views of the northern Carneddau.
Penrhyn Bay from the Little Orme.
Looking at the Grey seals in Porth Dyniewaid ( Angel Bay).
Grey seals in Porth Dyniewaid on our first visit.
One Grey seal in the sea at Porth Dyniewaid.
Walking on the beach at Penrhyn Bay.
The waves crashing on the shore in Penrhyn Bay.
A Common welk egg sack washed upon the pebbles in Penrhyn Bay.
A Turnstone roosting on the rocks in Penrhyn Bay.
Discarded Christmas trees get everywhere!
Heading back to the Little Orme after lunch.
Grey seals on the Port Dyniewaid beach in the afternoon.
Grey seals playing at the water edge.
Grey seals again.
Heading to Craig-y-don on the path past the Craigside Inn.
One of several roosting Eurasian curlews in the field opposite Craig-y-don paddling pool.
Distance: 7.3 miles.
Climb: 1214’. Wind assisted GPS reading) . Would be nearer 700' on a calm day!
Time: 4 hour 28 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.5 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.6 m.p.h.
Temperature: 4.2 – 6.8 Celsius.
Beaufort Wind Force: 2-5. Maximum 21.9 m.p.h. Fresh breeze, but mainly a Gentle to Moderate breeze.
Group: Martyn, Mike, Nigel and Ed.
The weather forecast for today wasn’t very good, but Ed was on holiday in Llandudno so we were committed to walk whatever the weather. Thankfully it was better than expected, although it was very windy, felt cold and it didn’t rain.
Distant views from Little Orme Head were not very clear, walking in the Carneddau today wouldn’t have been a good choice.
It was good to se that the PC at Craig-y-don had been refurbished, but futer visits would cost 50p!
Despite the high tide being around 11-15, around 17 Grey seals were on the beach in Porth Dyniewaid (Angel Bay) on our first visit in the morning, with a few more on our return visit in the afternoon.
Lunch was taken at Rhos-on-Sea, where we took advantage of the shelters next to the paddling pool and play area.
As I was quite some time since Ed last joined on a walk, fortified fruit cake was provided to mark the6 occasion.
Not as many birds around today, but the birds seen or heard today included: European robin, Common blackbird, Oystercatcher, Eurasian curlew, Turnstone, Herring gull, Black headed gull, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Great cormorant, House sparrow, Woodpigeon, Black billed magpie and Great crested grebe.
Overall, an enjoyable walk as we caught up with the latest news from Ed.
As Nigel needed to pick up his car from the garage, we didn’t stop for a drink at the Albion in Conwy but headed homeward. We did however, call in at the Blue Bell Inn, Halkyn, for a quick pint of Lees bitter that was much appreciated!

Sunday, 15 February 2026

Conwy Mountain, Around Maed Esgob and Craigfadwen 14th February 2026

Not the best place to park today!
About to go under the walls into Conwy.
Conwy Harbour.
A Herring gull on the Harbour.
Common redshank on the estuary as the tide goes out.
Looking towards the Great Orme.
Daffodils in flower and it isn't even March.
On the delightful path across Conwy Mountain.
A couple of Conwy Mountain's residents.
A Raven on Conwy Mountain.
Looking towards the Hills from the path across Conwy Mountain.
Heading towards the Sychnant Pass.
Looking towards Puffin Island from the North Wales Path.
Snow on the hills, taken from my lunch spot.
I've had better views from my lunch spot!
The small lake on the north west side of Maen Esgob.
The Afon Conwy  from south of Craigfedwen.
A good patch of Snowdrops.
Alpacas in their usual field.
Friendly donkeys.
I wonder who lived in this house when it was first built.
I hope they find something worth eating.
The other entrance to the big house (this part is called "Middle House")
Distance: 7.3 miles.
Climb: 1398’.
Time: 5 hour 4 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.1 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.5 m.p.h.
Temperature: 4 – 10 Celsius. Mostly around 7 Celsius.
Beaufort Wind Force: 0-2. Occasionally just making a Light breeze.
Group: Martyn and Mike.
The weather forecast for today was looking good, with little rain expected. However, as ee set off there was dampness in the air and it briefly started to rain. However, from about 10-30, there was no rain, mainly sunny. However, it was not quite warm enough for me to be tempted to take my jacket off.
Distant views became clearer as the day went on and the high hills were covered in snow. Lots of people were out, taking advantage of the weather, many of them with dogs.
We had lunch, just before going around Maen Esgob. The wind was still quite cool, so sheltered behind the stone wall.
After lunch, we took the path heading south from the gate near our lunch spot, unfortunately this meant that we missed out going past llyn y Wrach. We realised our mistake when we reach a small lake that we knew was not Llyn y Wrach.
Conditions underfoot were good, until we crossed the field towards Mount Pleasant. This field was the muddiest I have ever experience on this walk., cleaning boot would be necessary when we got home.
Birds seen or heard today included: European robin, Common blackbird, Dunnock Woodpigeon, Wood nuthatch, Black billed magpie, Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Rook, Great tit, Blue tit, Common redshank, Great spotted woodpecker, Great cormorant, Herring gull, Red billed chough, Mallard, Raven, Mistle thrush, Wigeon and Song thrush.
Overall, an enjoyable walk, finishing in warm sunshine. Once again, I was home in time to clean my boots before it started to rain.
After walk drinks, were enjoyed at the Blue Bell Inn at Halkyn, where Lees bitter went down well.