Dates and Walks December 2010.

Updated 27th December 2010.

Thursday 23rd December 2010.

Weather conditions and the road conditions in Flintshire are very dodgy to say the least, even the snow ploughs haven't had much success on the Broughton to Saltney A5104. I have decided to cancel the proposed walk from the Britannia Inn originally planned for Thursday.

However as an alternative I suggest that we do one of walks that we did last year in similar conditions. The walk proposed is the Chester to Eccleston walk (about 9 miles), along the river and back through the Duke's Drive. I suggest that we meet at the Band Stand near the Suspension Bridge at 09-30. Please let me know if you want to join me on this walk.

Wednesday 29th December 2010.

Roger and Margaret Smith have kindly invited members of the walking group to their "at home" between 15-00 and 18-00.

Thursday 2nd December 2010.

Wilmslow to Castle Hill and More.

Distance: 10 miles; Climb:800' at a guess.
Start: Twinnies Bridge car park, Wilmslow. Grid ref: SJ839822.
Leave Chester at 9-00 a.m.
This walk is taken from Graham Beech's book "East Cheshire Walks". he walk starts on Racecourse Road, but we will start at Twinnies Bridge. This walk may not be everyone's cup of tea unless you are into aircraft spotting! The walk goes very close to Manchester Airport and its runways. He describes the walk as "can be muddy after rain", not that that should deter plane spotters and stile connoisers!

Saturday 4th December 2010.

Chester to Queensferry along the River Dee.

Outward journey along the Southern banks and return along the Northern bank.

The walk is 14-15 miles.

Meet at the Suspension Bridge in Chester at 9-00 a.m.

The walk below has been postponed as road conditions to the start point are impassible due to snow/ice. This walk will now be added to the January list.

Errwood and Burbage Edge.

Distance:9-12 miles. Climb:2000'.
Leave Chester 8-00 a.m.
Start: The Street car park at the Eastern end of Errwood Reservoir. Grid ref:SK013757.
This is another walk taken from Graham Beech's book "East Cheshire Walks". This is another walk from the Goyt Valley and involves sections in Derbyshire and Staffordshire, if we take the longer route. He describes the views on the walk as being outstanding. We have walked in this area several times, but I don't think we have walked on both sides of Errwood Reservoir on the same walk.

Thursday 9th December 2010.

Greenfield Valley, Moor and Estuary as well as Pen-y-Ball.

Distance: 9-10 miles miles; Climb:1500'.
Start: Greenfield Valley Country Park on the A548. Grid ref: SJ197775.
Leave Chester at 9-00 a.m.
This walk uses two walks from Dave Berry's book "Walks Around Holywell and Halkyn Mountain". The first part of the walk goes through the Greenfield Heritage Park with its historic buildings and the remains of Basingwerk Abbey and on past St Winefride's Well before ascending Pen-y-ball Hill, not one of my favourite approaches to the Monument. On this occasion we will miss out the part of the second walk, leaving out the section around Pantasaph.

Saturday 11th December 2010.

Clip-y-Orsedd and Foel Lus.

Distance:11 miles. Climb:2400'.
Leave Chester 8-00 a.m.
Start: Car park behind the bank in Llanfairfechan. Turn right of Village Road. Grid ref:SH682747.
his walk uses two walks Dave Berry's book "Walks on the North Wales Coast." These two walks combine to make one of my favourite walks in this area as they explore the hills behind Llanfairfechan and Penmaenmawr. Hopefully we will visit the impressive Druids' Stone Circle and contour around the superb high level Panoramic Walk round Foel Lus.

Thursday 16th December 2010.

Graig Fawr and Coed yr Esgob.

Distance:9-10 miles; Climb:1500'.
Start: Prestatyn beach car park. Grid ref: SJ068840. There is a large car park by the toilet block, just before the beach car park, but we usually park on the one that overlooks the beach.
Leave Chester at 9-00 a.m.
This is a walk that I have done many times before and always enjoy. The route uses the North Wales Path and Offa's Dyke path to link the start point with a walk from Dave Berry's book "Walks in the Clwydian Hills".

Saturday 18th December 2010.

Bodlondeb Wood, Conwy Mountain, Alltwen and Cwm Gyrach.

Distance:9 - 10 miles. Climb:1600'.
Leave Chester 8-00 a.m.

Start:Park on Mount Pleasant (2nd turning on the left after going through the arch in the town's West wall. Turn left over the railway bridge, then bear right and park on the right adjacent to the wall. Grid ref:SH779776.
This walk uses two walks Dave Berry's book "Walks on the North Wales Coast." We have done our own version of the Conwy Mountain walk, but as yet we haven't included Bonlondeb Wood and Cwm Gyrach before. The first walk starts by exploring part of the magnificent walled town of Conwy and offers superb views throughout. The second walk explores the scenic hills and valleys around the Sychnant Pass with its ever changing views.

Thursday 23rd December 2010.

Halkyn, Limestone, Lead and Moel Ffagnalt.

This walk has been cancelled. See above for alternative walk.

Distance: 10 miles; Climb:1500'.
Start: Car Park at the Britannia Inn Pentre Halkyn (with the Landldy's permission). Grid ref: SJ211711.
Leave Chester at 9-00 a.m.
This walk uses two walks from Dave Berry's book "Walks Around Holywell and Halkyn Mountain". It has almost become traditional that the last Thursday walk before Christmas starts and finishes at the Britannia Inn. As everyone knows, this is one of my favourite walks in the Halkyn Mountain area. On a clear day we can expect superb views across the Dee Estuary and inland towards the Clwydian Hills. I never tire of exploring the mine ravaged limestone countryside around Halkyn Mountain or celebrating the walk afterwards at the Britannia Inn.

Saturday 25th December 2010.

No walk - celebrating the real meaning of Christmas at WEF church.

Wednesday 29th December 2010.

Roger and Margaret Smith's "At Home".

15-00 - 18-00.

Thursday 30th December 2010.

Knutsford and Several Peovers.

Distance: 10 miles; Climb:Not a lot expected'.
Start: Long stay car park on Tatton Street, Knutsford. This is a pay and display car park, £2-90 for over 6 hours according to the Knutsford web site. Grid ref: SJ750789.
Leave Chester at 9-00 a.m.
This walk is taken from Jack Baker and Jack Hanmer's book "Walking in Cheshire". This book was published in 1974 and updated in 1978, so following the directions may prove challenging. They describe the walk as a walk over fairly level, but pleasantly wooded country, although places can be muddy in Winter. This will give Annie a chance to leave home a little later than usual to meet us for a Thursday walk!