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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.

Thursday, 17 February 2011

The Thurstaston, Irby and Heswall Dales Round 17th February 2011

Does anyone know where the path is?
In the Dungeon (wooded valley).
I like horses to be friendly but not this friendly!
Heading back along the beach back to Thurstaston Visitor Centre.

Walk stats: Distance: 12.7 miles. Climb:681'.
Time: 5 hours 37 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.6 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.3 m.p.h.
Group:Martyn, Roger, Annie H., Phil, Sylvia and Dave J., Tim and Carol, Sue and Dave P.
Another good day for walking dry, sunny at times but occasionally accompanied by a gentle cooling wind!
The walk was a little longer than expected, but I put that down to the fact that a "gentleman" on horseback reminded us that we were walking on private land!
We were diverted back to the beach, thankfully just enough of it left as the incoming tide advanced, but this extended our walk just a little!
Conditions underfoot through the Dungeon and along the fields to Thurstaston church were less muddy that usual, but the beach made up for it later on!
Lunch was taken in Royden Park where we took advantage of the  picnic benches, and more important the loos nearby.  There was just a hint of a blue sky as we enjoyed our lunch.
The  walk through Heswall Dales was much longer than I remembered, but a definite bonus on the walk.
The route from the Slelldrake Restaurant along the beach for half a mile or so was somewhat boggier than we would have liked, but at least the sun came out and we were able to add few more birds to our list.
Birds seen or head today included: Common coot, Blackbird, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, House sparoe, Canada goose, Raven, Great cormorant, Common starling, Chaffinch, Kestrel, Common buzzard, Black-billed magpie, Jay, Carrion crow, Pintail, Mallard, Teal, Redshank, Curlew, Dunlin, Lapwing, Shelduck, Eoropean robin, Lesser black-backed gull, Black-tailed godwit, Blue tit, Great tit and Bullfinch.
After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Wheatsheaf at Raby where there is always a very warm welcome!
Brimstage Trapper Hat bitter went down particularly well, I think a Guinness did too!

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