Thurstaston Common, Stapledon Wood and the More 6th January 2011

The Liverpool skyline from Thurstaston Hill.

The group at the toposcope on Thurstaston Hill.

Dave and Paul on Thor's Stone.

Part of the group on the steps of the Alfred Paton Memorial.

Hilbre from our lunch spot near the Alfred Paton Memorial erected in 1933.

Walk stats: Distance:9.7 miles; Climb:656'.

Time:4 hours 53 minutes.

On the move walking average: 2.5 m.p.h.; Overall walk average: 2.0 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Roger, Gordon, Annie H., Michel, Phil, Dave J., Fran and Tito, Celia, Paul, Sue and Dave P.

It was good to see Sue and Dave Pearson join the group on their first opportunity after retiring at Christmas.

Initially we started off with a little rain in the air, but pleasantly warm for this time of the year, and from lunch time onwards the weather got better and better, and the the beach back to Thurstaston we were in warm sunshine.

As ever our trek across Thurstaston used paths that we hadn't used before, touching the described route on Thurstaston Hill and by Thor's Stone.

We had lunch by the Alfred Paton Memorial, talking advantage of the seats and steps available. We had superb views across Caldy towards Hilbre and the North Wales Coast beyond.

We decided to extend the walk a little by heading to West Kirby and going around the Marine Lake. It was one of those days when the tide was such that people walking along the causeway looked as though they were walking on water. Only six of the group decided to go along the causeway, whilst the other seven sat on seats in a shelter along the promenade!

The route along the beach was only just passable in places as tide had only partially gone out.

Birds seen or heard included:Collared dove, Woodpigeon, European robin, Nuthatch, Mallard, Common coot, Moorhen, Kestrel, Buzzard, Blue tit, Great tit, Carrion crow, Redwing, Fieldfare, Shoveler, Greylag goose, Tufted duck, Black-tailed godwit, Dunlin, Redshank, Great cormorant, Oystercatcher, Shelduck, Black-headed gull, Herring gull, Great black-backed gull, Knot, Red-breasted merganser, Turnstone, Curlew, Blackbird and house sparrow.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Wheatsheaf at Raby. Brimstage Trapper's Hat went down well. The very efficient stove made the a lovely warm feel to the room we were in.