Walks and Dates December 2012

Saturday 1st December 2012

Butterton Moor, Onecote and Grindon.

Distance: 9-10 miles. Climb: 1000'.Car park in Grindon. Grid ref: SK985545.
Leave Chester at 08-00 a.m.
The walk is based on a walk from Mark Richards's book "White Peak Walks - Southern Dales". He describes it an easy going excursion on Staffordshire moorland  with great  a panorama on breasting Butterton Moor. The extension from Grindon is via Hoo Brook and returns via Grindon Moor gate.
Walk change.

Thursday 6th December 2012.

Bersham, Erddig and King's Mill. 

Distance: Up to 10 miles. Climb:500'.
Start: Felin Puleston Car Pak. Grid ref:SJ325492.
Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.
This walk is a low level walk, exploring the Clywedog valley around Bersham and  Erddig. I thought that this would be a better option than the Minera walk as the weather forecast isn't good. If you ae a member of the National Trust please bring your membership card.

Thursday 6th December 2012.

This walk has been postponed - Around Minera Mountain.

Distance: 9-11 miles. Climb:1000'.
Start: Minera Lead Mine Centre: Grid ref: SJ276509.
Leave Chester 09-00 a.m.
This walk is taken from Dave Berrry's book "Walks Around Ruabon Mountain, the Clywedog Vallay and Hope Mountain". The walk includes an extension to the Exclusham Mountain and mines. The main walk explores the open moorland East of Worlds End and can be quite demanding.  I rather suspect that it will be pretty wet underfoot as well.  The walk is described as a walk of great variety, for experienced walkers!

Saturday 8th November 2012.

Garreg Fawr and Coedydd Aber.

Distance: 10 miles. Climb: 1800 -2000'.
Leave Chester at 08-00 a.m.
Start: Forestry Commission car park (pay and display)at Bont Newydd. Grid ref: SH62720.
This walk combines two walks from Dave Berry's book "Walks On the North Wales Coast" , well all of one walk and part of another!
The Garreg Fawr walk explores the foothills of the Carneddau between Llanfairfechan and Abergwyngeryn, giving us contrasting views of coast and mountains. The second walk visits Aber Falls using paths on each side of the valley. All the recent rain could make the falls spectacularly at their best.

Thursday 13th December 2012.

Holywell, Bagillt and Flint.

Distance: 10 miles. Climb:1000' at a guess.
Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.
This walk uses three walks from Dave Berry's book "Walks Around Chester and the River Dee."  This is essentially a linear walk, so we will have to arrange enough cars to have cars at both Flint and Holywell or use the bus to take us from Flint to Holywell. (Leaves Flint McDonald's on Holywell Road, at 10-14) .

Saturday 15th December 2012.

Mam Tor, Blue John Mine and Winnats Pass.

Postponed until a later date.
Distance: 9 - 10 miles. Climb: 1900'.
Leave Chester at 08-00 a.m.
These walks are taken from Mark Richards' Book "White Peak Walks - Northern Dales."  It is quite some time since we walked in this area. The views from Mam Tor are superb, and have been described as some of the best in the Peak District.  The other walk passes through Cave dale and goes close to Pevril Castle.

Thursday 20th December 2012.

Brown Knowl and the Sandstone Trail.

Distance: About 6 miles. Climb: About 1000'.

Start: Sherrington Lane, Brown Knowl. Grid ref : SJ496536. Roadside parking. Park near Fieldway, but remember large farm vehicles use this road, so choose your parking place carefully.
Both Phil and myself have to be at Christleton in the early evening, so we have decided to have a shortened walk, starting at Phil's home. The walk will take us Bickerton Hill and the Sandstone Trail.

Saturday 22nd December 2012.

To be announced later, if there is any demand.

Thursday 27th December 2012.

To be announced later, if there is any demand.
Saturday 29th December 2012.
To be announced later, if there is any demand.

Holywell to Flint Castle via the Coastal Path 13th December 2012

The start of the walk, but only as far as the bus stop in Flint.

Hoar frost, evident along most of the walk.

At the start of the path leading to the Greenfield valley past Battery Pool.

Battery Pool from its dam.

At Basingwerk Abbey- after PC's history lesson.

Bettisfield Dock with the A380 barge heading to Mostyn Dock.

Back at Flint Castle.

Walk stats: Distance: 9.5 miles. Climb: 430'.

Time: 4 hours 40 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.4 m.p.h Overall walk average: 2.1 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Annie H., Sue and Michel, Carol H., Paul and Celia.

This was an unusual walk for the group in that we parked the cars at the end of the walk and caught a bus to the start, a £3-40 trip from Flint to Holywell - thankfully I had a Welsh bus pass!

The walk started in glorious sunshine, very cold with plenty of hour frost decorating the trees hedges and grassland area. 

The gentle descent from Holywell through the Greenfield Valley was delightful, finishing with a history lesson as we went around Basingwerk Abbey ruins.

The main part of the walk was along the new Wales Coastal path from Greenfield Dock to Flint Castle, a route that was really superb.  The tide was at its highest and consequently lots of waders were seen quite close up. The bonus was seeing the A380 barge sailing down the river on its way to Mostyn Docks and onto France.

This coastal path all the way back to Flint was delightful, well worth repeating at any time of the year, and especially around high tide as today.

At the end of the walk we went around the ruins of Flint Castle for another history lesson.

We walked past the cars for a short extension along the coastal path towards Flint Marshes / Oakenholt Marshes. This proved to be somewhat bracing as we headed into the Easterly wind.

Birds seen or heard today included: Common blackbird, European robin, Winter wren, Pied wagtail, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Common starling, Great cormorant, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Mallard, Common teal, Eurasian curlew, Common redshank, Oystercatcher, Tufted duck, Little egret, House sparrow, Black-b illed magpie, Moorhen, Common coot, Mute swan, Grey heron, Black-headed gull, Great black-backed gull, Herring gull and Fieldfare.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn at Halkyn, where some of us sat by the fire in turns so that we could warm up!

Overall a superb walk, a good walk on which to finish our walks in 2012.

Around Garreg Fawr And Aber Falls 8th December 2012

The Afon Aber from Bont Newydd.

The first view of the sea.

Looking towards Ynys Mon.

Garreg Fawr ahead.

"A penny for them, Mike!

Celia at lunch.

A distant view of Aber Falls.

A close up view of Aber falls.

Walk stats: Distance: 8.8 miles. Climb: 1913'.
Time : 5 hours 21 minutes. On the move walking average : 2.1 m.p.h. Overall walk average :1.6 m.p.h.
Group : Martyn, Mike and Celia.
We started the walk in glorious sunshine, with blue skies and the Menai Straits looking blue. The views South towards the Cardeddau had snow on the tops, but thankfully we weren't going that high.
As we approached higher ground near Garreg Fawr, we felt the cold North west wind forced us to shelter behind a wall for lunch.
Just before lunch we met a young man with his 15 month old daughter taking her first steps on the Carneddau.
The final part of the walk was a there and back visit to see Aber Falls, always impresive at tthis time of the year. However by this time, the very fine rain had set in and wedidn't know whether it was spray from the fallsor the rain that was wetting our glasses!
By the time that we arrived at the car, we were glad to change into dry clothes and head for the Britannia.
Birds seen or heard today included : European robin, Pied wagtail, Common buzzard, Carrion crow, Raven, Black-billed magpie Chaffinch, and Meadow pipit.
As usual, we received a warm welcome at the Brit and the Lees bitter was at its best.

Bersham, Felin Puleston and King's Mill 6th December 2012u

The "rat run" near Felin Puleston, on the way to Bersham Visitor Centre.

The Visitor Centre at Bersham - closed at this time of the year, as well as the car park.

The Clywedog - devastation along its banks in Erddig Country Park.

The Clywedog on Erddig Country Park.

 Walk stats: Distance : 7.8 miles. Climb : 532'.
Group : Martyn, Phil, Celia and Annie H.Yet another good day for walking, a little on the cool side, but no rain and very little wind.
We started off on the walk on a "rat run", a path on the edge of an industrial building that had several rat baited boxes in place. Things did get better as we left industry behind and approached Bersham and returned along the Clywedog river bank. Once on the section towards Erddig, we encountered lots of dog walkers, but thankfully all were friendly. Lunch was taken just West of King's Mill, using a bench that took the natural bent shape of the tree from which it was cut. Thankfully the ground was a little frozen, and made what otherwise would have been very muddy, a little easier to negotiate.
Birds sen or heard today included:European robin, Common blackbird, Winter wren, Grey heron, Common buzzard, Mute swan, Black-heased gul, House sparrow, Pied wagtail, Woodpigeon and Fieldfare.
After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Pant yr Ochain, where the Snowdonia Ale was in good nick usual.
Overall a good walk, one that could be even better when Bluebells and other Spring flowers are in bloom.

Grindon, Butterton and Onecote 1st December 2012

The Cathedral of the Peak - Grindon church.

Butterton Village from the South.

On the edge of Grindon Moor on the way to Onecote.

Onecote church.

The Hams Valley.

Butterton village - nearly back at the car - light fading again!

 Walk stats: Distance: 11.3 miles. Climb:1390'.
Time: 6 hours 45 minutes. On the move walking average : 2.1 m.p.h. Overall average :1.7 m.p.h.
Group : Martyn and Mike.
Overall a glorious day for walking, a little on the cool side at times, but sunny most of the time. Quite a varied walk with plenty of good views despite the fact that we only reached a height of  just over 1000'.
Thankfully the ground was still pretty well frozen, or we would have had more difficulty crossing the muddy  fields on the way to Butterton for the first time.
Lunch was taken at Onecote, where we were able to take advantage of a bench in the village.As we sat in the sun, we decided that it would be wrong to send a text to Celia,reminder that  she had made the wrong decision to go back to bed and no come walking!
Once again we managed to extend the walk and ended up walking down the road as the light faded and my head torch came into use once again!
Birds seen or heard today included : Common blackbird, Fieldfare, Redwing, Goldfinch, Woodpigeon, Common starling, Chaffinch, European robin, Rook, Jackdaw and Carrion crow..
After walk drinks were enjoyed as always at the Wilkes Head in Leek. The Hartington Bitter,  the best bitter in the world, lived up to its reputation.

The River Dee from Higher Ferry to Hawarden Bridge 29th November 2012

One of the many Fieldfares seen today.

The bore on the River Dee - not the biggest, but it could still be seen and heard.

Great cormorants on the remains of one of the many former wharfs along the Dee.

Approaching the old bridge at Queensferry.

The River Dee from Hawarden Bridge to Queensferry.

An unusual rainbow type reflection in the water.
(The Sun was to the left and does not appear in this picture!)

Walk stats: Distance: 9.3 miles. Climb: 95'.

Time: 4 hours 21 minutes. On the move walking average: 2. 6 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.1 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Tim, Sue and Dave P.

What a glorious day for walking this turned out to be.  Sunshine and largely blue skies and very little wind.  We even had the bonus of seeing the bore moving along the river.

We started at Higher Ferry and headed towards Sandycroft on the Southern side of the river.  We arrived at Sandycroft to find that path had been closed and that we shouldn't have used it at all. On arriving back at the start the path had been closed at Higher Ferry as well. I'm sure the notice wasn't there when we set off!

At Hawarden Bridge we decided not to go on to Connah's Quay Docks and crossed the river to the  Northern side of the river ready for the return journey.

We had lunch, taking advantage of a seat near the old JS and S main building, sitting in warm sunshine, watching the ducks going downstream backwards!

Birds seen or heard today included: Fieldfare, Redwing, Common blackbird, Dunnock, Carrion crow, Woodpigeon, Great cormorant, Common buzzard, Canada goose, Great spotted woodpecker, Common redshank, Mallard, Black-headed gull, Common starling, Lapwing, Black-billed magpie and Pied wagtail.

After walk drinks were experienced at the Corner Pin in Saltney - no real ale, say no more!

Walks and Dates November 2012

Updated 28th November 2012 at 18-15.

Thursday 1st November 2012.

Newton Mountain Forest, Cae-Llwyd and Ty Mawr Reservoirs.

Distance: 10 miles. Climb: 1000'.
Start: Lay-by near Bethlehem Chapel, Rhosllanerchrugog. Grid ref: SJ289468.
To get to the lay-by enter Rhos on the B5097 from the North.go past Ysgol y Grango, and just past the Coach and Horses pub turn right along Mountain Street. At the junction by the Sun Inn, turn left along Hall Street to find a lay-by by Llys-y-Mynydd and opposite Bethlehem Chapel.
Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.
This walk combines another two walks from Dave Berry's book "Walks Around Ruabon Mountain, the Clyweog Valley and Hope Mountain". The walks explore the edges of Rhuabon Mountain and visits two of Rhosllanerchrugog's upland reservoirs.

Saturday 3rd November 2012.

A Walk in the "Last of the Summer Wine" Territory.

Distance: 9-10 miles. Climb: 1000'.
Start: Crown Bottom Car Park on Huddersfield Road, Holmfirth. Grid ref: SE14250837.
Leave Chester at 08-00 a.m.
This is a walk taken from "Great Walks In Great Britain - The Peak District". This walk is described as being moderately strenuous exploring the Holmfirth Valley. Talking to a walking group from Holmfirth when they were staying in the Mill in Chester, they described their home patch as being a superb area in which to walk. That couple with the fact that I like the series based there, made me decide to put this walk on, even though it is a little further than we normally travel. It looks as though I'll be driving!

Thursday 8th November 2012.

Bersham Iron Works and Ty Mawr Reservoir.

Distance: 9-10 miles. Climb: 1000'.
Strat: Nant Mill Visitor Centre. Grid ref: SJ289501.
Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.
This walk combines two walks from Dave Berry's book "Walks Around Ruabon Mountain and the Clywedog Valley and Hope Mountain".  This walk explores the Clywedog Valley Trail, and includes Offa's Dyke and the area South of the Clywedog. This walk will include repeating some sections twice, unless we decide that a shorter walk is what everyone wants!

Saturday 10th November 2012

Around Alltwen, Cwm Gyrach, Foel Lus and the Druids Circle.

Distance: 10 miles. Climb: 1600'.
Start: Top of the Sychnant Pass. Grid ref: SH750770.
Leave Chester at 08-00a.m.
This walk combines two walks from Dave Berry's book "Walks On the North Wales Coast."  We have completed these two walks several times before, but as far as I can remember, never together. One walk explores the scenic hills and valleys around the Sychnat Pass, and the second walk visits the Bronze Age Stone Circle.  On a good day we can look foreward to exhilarating panoramic views as we go around Foel Lus on the Jubilee path.

Thursday 15th November 2012.

Around Saughall and Shotwick.

Distance: 10 miles. Climb: Not a lot!
Start: Roadside parking in Church Way, Saughall (Between All Saints Church and the Junior School).
Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.
This walk combines three walks from Dave Berry's Book "Walks Around Chester and the Dee Estuary".  Much of this walk will be familiar to many of us, and includes visiting the historic Shotwich village and Shotwick Castle. It also explore the countryside around Saughall.

Saturday 17th November 2012.

Weets Hill.

Distance: 9-10 miles. Climb: 900'
Start: Saltersforth Wharfe near Barnoldswick. Grid ref: SD887545.
Leave Chester at 08-00 a.m.

This walk is taken from Terry Marsh's book "50 Classic Walks in Lancashire" . He describes it as a fairly easy walk , combining farm paths, moorland paths and canal towpaths. Weet Hill offers some of the best views in the South Pennines.
Thursday 22nd November 2012.

Around the Nant.

Distance: 10 miles. Climb:1000'.
Start: Northern end of Bwlchgwyn on the A525, by the Memorial. Grid ref: SJ263536.
Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.
This walk combines two walks from Dave Berry's book "Walks Around Ruabon Mountain and the Clywedog Valley and Hope Mountain".  This will involve walking along Nant-y-Frith, once in each direction. The walk explores the undulating ccountryside between Bwlchgwyn and Llanfynydd and visits the Roman settlement of Ffrith.

Saturday 24th November 2012.

Garreg Fawr and Coedydd Aber.

Distance: 10 miles. Climb: 1800 -2000'.
Leave Chester at 08-00 a.m.
Start: Forestry Commission car park (pay and display)at Bont Newydd. Grid ref: SH62720.
This walk combines two walks from Dave Berry's book "Walks On the North Wales Coast"  , well all of one walk and part of another!
The Garreg Fawr walk explores the foothills of the Carneddau between Llanfairfechan and Abergwyngeryn, giving us contrasting views of coast and mountains. The second walk visits Aber Falls using paths on each side of the valley.

Thursday 29th November 2012.

Both Sides of the River Dee Between Connah's Quay and Higher Ferry.

Distance: 12 miles. Climb: Minimal!
Start: Off road parking on the B5129 on the bend near to the footbridge over the River Dee at Saltney ferry. Grid ref: SJ368657 or alternatively just West of this bend near a pumping station on left of the road. Grid ref: SJ367657. Ideally contact me if you intend to come on the walk.

Leave Chester 09-00 a.m.
This walk combines two walks from Dave Berry's book "Walks Around Chester and the Dee Estuary".  A little longer than usual, but this is essentially a flat walk.Mostly on good paths, but the path between Higher Ferry and Queensferry on the South side of the river isn't as good as the cycle path on the Northern side of the river, which is now part of the Wales Coastal Path.

Nant y Ffrith (2) 22 nd November 2012

About to set off, but is everyone ready?

The first notice board as we entered Nant y Ffrith.

Along the path through Nant y Ffrith to Ffrith.

Do they know more than we do about the amount of rain that we are getting?

One of four boats, some quite large, and totally unexpected in this "upland" area East of Bwlchgwyn!

Any suggestions for this.

Located high on pole carrying power lines.

Walk stats: Distance: 5.7 miles. Climb: 1650' (May have been slightly winded assisted, especially towards the end of the walk).

On the move walking average: 1.9 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.6 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Tim, Sue and Michel.

Having listened to the weather forecast, even starting the walk was in doubt, but with Tim insisting that he didn't mind walking in the rain, we arrived at Bwlchgwyn determined to at least complete the first part of the circuit.

Thankfully at this point it was hardly raining and there was little wind, so we set off with much enthusiasm and hopeful that we might reach Llanfynydd.

On the first part of the walk, and especially on the descent through Nant y Ffrith, we were well protected from both wind and rain, making it a very pleasant start to the walk.

The bridleway from Nant y Ffrith was aptly described as delightful and also sheltered us from the gradually increasing blast of the wind.

As we approached Waen (Wern)  Farm, almost the highest point of the walk, the rain and the full force of the wind caught up with us, and the paths across the fields were somewhat boggy, but at least we arrived back at the car with beautifully clean boots, soles and all!

A delightful walk, but weather conditions now, persuaded us that the best option was lunch in the car and then an early visit to the Pant yr Ochain!

Birds seen or heard today included: Eurasian jay, Black-billed magpie, Common blackbird, Woodpigeon, Carrion crow, Common buzzard and Sue's partridge.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Pant yr Ochain, where as ever the Purple Moose, Snowdonia ale went down well, Tim enjoyed his Strathmore Mineral water and J2O, and even Sue's coffee tasted as good as it smelled!

We can now look forward to doing the second part of the walk later in the year or in 2013.

Weets Hill and More 17 th November 2012

The Leeds - Liverpool Canal near the start of the wlk at Saltersforth Wharfe.

Bancroft Steam Mill at Barnoldswick.

The Pendle Way, heading for Weets Hill.

At the trig point on Weets Hill.

Mike by one of the unique Pendle Way signs

Stansfield Tower on Blacko Hill.

Kestrel seen East of Slipper Hill Resrvoir.

Whooper wans on  Slipper Hill Reservoir.

A canal bridge bridge with just about  half a mile to the car, and with light fading rapidly.

Walk stats: distance: 12.5 miles. Climb: 1232'

Time: 6 hours 46 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.2 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.8 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn and Mike.

When does a 9 mile walk and end up being 12.5 miles and having to finish in the dark? When you don't read the route description and get tempted to visit a tower on Blacko Hill!

This turned out to be a really good walk, well worth repeating, but perhaps we won't be temped to do the same extension!

At times it was a little on the cool side, but when the Sun was out, it made really pleasant walking. The section over moorland on the Pendle Way around Weets Hill was superb, giving good views in all direction, but especially towards Pendle Hill.

The bonus today was on the extension when we had really good views of a Kestrel on a wall and then in a tree only about 50m away and the six Whooper swans on Slipper Hill Reservoir.

Birds seen or heard today included: Common blackbird, Mallard, Black-headed gull, European robin, Whooper swan, Common kestrel and Dunnock.

We arrived back at the car just about in the dark, and I had to use my head torch (for the first time) to get changed and make sure that I had put everything into the boot of the car!

after walk drinks were enjoyed at the Netherton Arms, where the Lees bitter was enjoyed once it had warmed up a little!

New Arrival

Congratulations

to

Freya and Christof Pelissier

on the safe arrival of their son

 Sebastean Luc

on Monday 12th November 2012.

Congratulations as well to Sue and Michel on becoming Grandparents again.

Around Shotwick and Saughall 15th November 2012

Shotwick Castle.

On the outer ramparts at Shotwick Castle.

On field paths heading for Shotwick.

The entrance to Shotwick church with its famous arrow sharpening markings.

The inside of hotwick Church.

The last few leaving Shotwick church.

Walk stats: Distance: 10.5 miles. Climb: 305'.

Time: 5 hours 13 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.5 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.0 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Sue and Michel, Annie H., Phil, David S., Paul, Celia, Carol H, Tim, Sue and Dave P.

Yet another good November day for walking, dry with plenty of sunshine and little wind.

This can definately be described as a low level walk with plenty of interest interspersed with plenty of field paths, a few of which were on the "boggy / muddy" side.

The highlight of the day was Shotwick church which was open, always good to see.  Another bonus was the people that we encountered were all very pleasant and helpful, including a farmer who pointed out to us that we were on the right path through his field, but most walkers didn't use the path, but instead used the embankment adjacent to it. In future we will do that and avoid treking through the muddy fields and avoid being blocked by tapes across the gateway of the last field.

I almost forgot, we did encounter one cyclist that managed to upset at least one member of the group, and wouldn't pass his cycling proficiency test if it include road etiquette!

Lunch was taken along the cycle way adjacent to the busy Queensferry road, and not everyone manged to sit for lunch. However to our surprise a pony and trap with two riders slowly passed us by, and speeded into a trot.

Birds seen or heard today included: Filedfare, Redwing, Common blackbird, Common starling, Collared doeve, Woodpigeon, Dunnock, Moorhen, Common buzzard, Chaffinch, House sparrow, Jackdaw, Black-billed magpie and Carrion crow.

Ater walk drinks were enjoyed at the Greyhound Inn at Saughall, where Theakston's Lightfoot went down well.  Another good local, open at times when tired walkers are in need of a quenching drink and a warm by the fire!