Walks and Dates January 2013

See 31st January 2012 for the latest info on our meal at Netherton Hall.

Happy New Year

Tuesday 1st January 2013.

The Old Quay and Denhall Quay.

Distance: 5.5 miles. Climb: Not a lot!
Start: Wirral Country Park Car park. Grid ref: SJ284779.
Leave Chester at 09-30 a.m.
This walk is taken from Dave Berry's book "Walks Around Chester and the Dee Estuary". The walk is described as  a walk featuring two old historic coastal ports, delightful bridleways and an attractive section of the Wirral Way.  As the first part of the walk is along the estuary, it will probably be worthwhile bringing binoculars with you if you have them.
It is anticipated that we will  check out "The Architect" in Chester for after walk drinks, expecting to be there about 13-30.

Thursday 3rd January 2013.
Rhyl to Rhuddlan Riverside Walk with extensions to Rhuddlan L.N.R . , The Brickworks Pool N.R. and the Forydd.

Distance: 10-11 miles. Climb: 200'.
Start: Car park by the Marine Lake, turn right off Westbourne Avenue, if approaching from road from the Forydd Bridge. Grid ref: SJ001806.
This walk is an annual favourite, at least for those that like to birdwatch as well. It is a good time of the year as there are lots of Winter visitors that frequent coastal areas and river estuaries. Bring binoculars with you.  Last time we had lunch in the Rhuddlan L.N.R.  Hopefully the footpath on the Western side of the river will be open this time.

Saturday 5th January 2013.
Mam Tor, Blue John Mine and Winnats Pass.

Distance: 9 - 10 miles. Climb: 1900'.
Start: Castleton village car park: Pay and display. Grid ref: SK148829. North of the A625 , main road through the village.
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 10th January 2013. 
Moel Famau - Twice!

Distance: 9 miles. Climb: 1600'.
Start: Moel Famau Forest Car park (pay on entry. £1 last time we used this car park), just East of the PC block.
Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.
This walk combines to routes from Dave Berry's Books, one from "Walks in the Clwydian Hills" and one from "Walks in the Clwydian Hills - New Edition."  It is quite a while since we visited Moel Famau from this car park, and I can't remember visiting the Jubilee Tower twice on the same walk before!  The walk is like a figure of eight, with the summit being the link point. Let's hope for a calm, windless day with plenty of warm sunshine!

Saturday 12th January 2013. 
A Coastal walk from Llanfairfechan to Aber Ogwen and the Spinnies L.N.R.

Distance: 10-11 miles. Climb: 200'.
Start: Llanfairfechan Promenade / Coastal car Park. Grid ref: SH679754.
Leave Chester at 08-00 a.m.
This is essentially a linear there and back walk, but if the tide allows we will walk along the beach on the return route from the Aber Ogwen pic-nic site (lunch spot the last time we did the walk). There should be plenty of birds to see on the coast, and we will probably visit at lest one of the four bird hides on the route. Bring binoculars with you if you have them.  High tide at about 10-40 a.m., quite a big one at 32.2 ' / 9.8 m.

Thursday 17th January 2013. 
Raby and Willaston.

Distance: 9 miles. Climb: 500', probably an exaggeration!
Start: Hadlow Road Station. Grid ref: SJ312773.
Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.
This walk combines two walks from Anthony Annakin-Smith's book "Wirral Walks". The two walks are  liinked along minor minor roads and field paths. The walk passes a former racecourse pretty woodlands, the Wirral's largest windmill and even a Glow-worm site, not that we are likely to see one!
An easy walk, although at this time of the year, paths can be waterlogged!

Saturday 19th January 2013. 
Postponed due to the weather. 
It will probably appear later in the year when there is no chance of snow or ice on the roads.
Hartington Old Station Aleck Low and Minninglow.

Distance: 12 miles. Climb: 800'.
Start: Hartington Old Station Car Park. Pay and Display. Grid ref: SK149612.
Leave Chester at 08-00 a.m.
This walk combines two walks from Mark Richards's book "White Peak Walks - Southern Dales". Slightly longer than usual, but much of the walk will be easy going as it uses the High Peak Trail and the Tissington Trails along disused railway tracks.  If I remember correctly this walk proved delightful, with plenty of things of interest on route and good view, particularly from the High Peak Trail.

Thursday 24th January 2013.
Halkyn Limetone, Lead and Moel Ffagnallt.

Distance: 9-10 miles. Climb: 1500'.
Start: Britannia Inn, Halkyn Car Park. Grid ref: SJ211711.
Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.
This is walk that we complete at least once a year, and often several times as there are several variations around Rhes-y-cae and Moel Ffagnallt.  The exact route taken after leaving the the summit of Moel Ffagnallt, will be weather dependent and decided after we have had lunch!

Saturday 26th January 2013. 
The Point of Ayr RSPB Hide and Talacre to Prestatyn.

Distance: 10 miles. Climb: 200'.
Start at Talacre Beach Car Park, on the right just before the Smugglers Inn. Grid ref: SJ124848.
Leave Chester at 08-00 a.m.
This is a walk that is always on the list at this time of the year, as it is always a good time to see Winter visiting birds along the coast., so bring binoculars with you. As a change, we will complete the walk in the opposite direction to the one that we will normally take. The walk will start with a walk to the Point of Ayr RSPB hide, and then set of through  Nature Reserve on the inland route to Prestatyn. Our return route will then be along the coast, on the beach if the tide permits, hopefully the tide will be on the way out by then. High tide at about 10-30 a.m. 28.8' / 8.7 m.

Thursday 31st January 2013.

Helsby Hill.

Distance: 6.5 miles. Climb: 1000'.
Start: Netherton Hall on A56 just outside Frodsham. Grid ref: SJ512770.
It is planned that we have our annual meal together after the walk.
I have been to Netherton Hall and have booked us in for our meal. We can leave our cars in their car park, parking in the area opposite the side entrance.  The manager said he will arrange that we can use the facilities  before we set off on our walk. Netherton Hall are going to send me a copy of their menu, which I will distribute as soon as I can, so that everyone can let me know their choices which I can forward to the pub on the Monday before the walk.

Please send me your meal choices by 13-00 on Monday 28th January 2013.

It is anticipated that we would start the meal at about 13-30, assuming that we start walking by 10-0 a.m.
The walk is taken from Jen Darling's book "More Pub Walks in Cheshire and Wirral.".
This walk includes one of the better part of  Sandstone Trail, and is linked by field paths and country lanes.  We have completed many sections of this walk on previous occasions, but we have never started a walk from Netherton Hall before.

As we are eating after the walk, there is no need to bring food, although I will provide fruit cake to keep us going, as I anticipate having a short stop for drinks at some point on the walk (about half way round).

If I have your e-mail address, I have sent you  a copy of the Winter Menu from Netherton Hall. If you haven't received it let me know,  and I will send one to you.  If you know that I don't have your latest e-mail address and you want me to send you the menu , text me your e-mail address. Alternatively you could go to the Netherton Hall web site and access it from there via the "wine and dine" section and then the menu. (I did have to try a couple of times before the menu downloaded).
Their web address is : www.nethertonhallpub.co.uk.

Currently there are 20 coming to the meal.
Those walking are:
Martyn, Sue and Michel.
Mike D, Carole H, Celia and David S.
Phil.
Annie H.
Tim and Carol.
Wendy.
Those joining us just for the meal are:
Dave and Sylvia.
Roger and Margaret.
Fran and Tito.
Gordon and Sheila.