A Walk From the Boat House and More 30th January 2014

Normally I start by posts photos on the walk that we have just done, but today I  felt must start by saying thank you to everyone for the above card and your comments as well as the generous gift that gave me too.

As a point of interest, the walk this Saturday is the Lledre valley which is shown on the picture.

Back to the normal routine with pictures linked to the walk:

Not lunch time, but late elevenses, just for a drink.

setting off from Neston Quay, but not for long!

The Little egret, for some the bird of the day. This one seen at Parkgate.

Waiting for the first course at the Boat House, Parkgate.

"You can't be serious?"

Still being patient!

"It's that way"

Walk stats: Distance: 6.8 miles/ Climb: 155'.

Time: 2 hours 55 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.7 m.p.h Overall walk average: 2.3 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Phil, Roger, Carol, Tim,, Annie, David S., Paul, Wendy, Ian, Sue Pelissier, Michel, Sue Pearson, Dave P., Celia, Margaret,Sheila, Gordon, Dave J. and  Sylvia.
15 of the group set off, hoping to see the supposedly high tide get quite close in at Parkgate, alas it didn't get that close. Nevertheless we did see a couple of Hen harriers (ring tails) as we set off past the golf course.
 The weather was kind, it didn't feel as cold as the forecast feel of -1 Celsius, and the possible showers never materialised.
 We stopped for a drinks break at Neston Quay, where we could take advantage of suitable stone walls to sit on and wonder why at least four people were walking quite far out on the marsh, presumably they were wildfowlers on a duck count.
 The birds seen or heard today included: Hen harrier, Lapwing, Black-headed gull, Eurasian curlew, Pied wagtail, Linnet, Blue tit, Great tit, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Long-tailed tit, European robin, Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Little egret, Mallard, Black-billed magpie, Woodpigeon, Common blackbird and Winter wren (seen by Carol as we waited for lunch at the Boat House).
 Most of the group enjoyed their choice of meal, as did I, but I must admit the vegetable burritos looked superb! The service received was excellent.
 Trappers Hat was the beer of choice, it's always good to support a local brewery (Brimstage)

Walks and Dates January 2014

Updated on 30th January 2014.

Happy New Year
I called round to see Richard this morning, had a cup of tea and chatted for about an hour. Annual Walkers Meal 30th January 2014.
The Boat House, Parkgate.
See separate post above.

Wednesday 1st January 2014.

A West Kirby Round.

Distance: 5-6 miles. Climb: 500'C

Start: The Parade, West Kirby. Park near the old baths / opposite the IRB station. Grid ref: SJ213860.

Leave Chester at 09-30.

The walk starts by going around the Marine Lake, if the tide permits. High tide is at 10-26. It is quite a big tide, 9.6 m /31.6'.  After the Marine lake we will walk along the beach to Red Rocks and then head through Hoylake Gilroy Nature Reserve, before heading up Grange Hill with its impressive War Memorial. The return is via the Beacon on Column Road and down to West Kirby through Ashton 

Park. 

 Bring binocular with you if you have them.

 Fruit cake will be provided, as long as I know that you are coming!

Thursday 2nd January 2014.

No walk.

Saturday 4th January 2014.

Tegg's Nose and Macclesfield Forest.

Distance: 9 miles. Climb: 1865'.

Start: Tegg's Nose Country Park Car park. Pay and Display. Grid ref: SJ950732.

Leave Chester at 08-30 a.m.

This walk is taken from the "Pathfinders Guide to Cheshire". It is described as a varied walk with good views from Tegg's Nose. We will visit Tegg's Nose first, rather than at the end of the walk. The walk is also described as an undulating walk exploring the countryside on the edge of the Peak District.


Thursday 9th January 2013.

Rhuddlan L.N.R ., the Rhuddlan to Rhyl Riverside Walk with extensions to the Brickworks Pool N.R. and the Forydd.
Distance: 10-11 miles. Climb: 200'.

Start: Park at the Rhuddlan L.N.R. car park. Grid ref: SJ02076.  New start location.

The car park is on the Western side of Rhuddlan. To get to the car park, from the A55, turn right on to the A525 (St. Asaph Road towards Rhyl and Rhuddlan), at the next roundabout take the 3rd exit onto Station Road (to Rhuddlan centre / Castle). The car park is on the right, opposite a derelict pub. If you get to the bridge over the river you've gone too far!

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.  We will probably visit the Foryd first, to see if there are any Snow buntings there this year.


Saturday 11th February 2012

Mynydd Garthmyn and the Fairy Glen.

Distance: 10 miles. Climb: 1500'.

Start: Main car park at Betws-y-coed. Grid ref: SH795565.

Leave Chester at 08-00 a.m.

This version is taken from Carl Rogers' book "Walking in the Conwy Valley" and only varies a little from the walk that we usually do. Both walks are described as being varied walks with stunning views, especially to the West.


Thursday 16th January 2014.

Moel Findeg, Deborah's Well, Bryn Alyn and Nercwys Mountain (A Tale of Two Mountains).
Distance: 10-11 miles. Climb: 1400'.

Start: Lay-by opposite the Loggerheads Boundary Monument on the A494 Mold to Ruthin road. Grid ref: SJ202626.

Leave Chester 9-00a.m.

This walk combines two walks from Dave Berry's book "More Walks in the Clwydian Hills".  This is another chance to visit the summit of Moel Findeg with its fine views of the Northern Clwydians  and across the Cheshire plain to Peckforton and Beeston.  


Saturday 18th January 2014


The Edge to Nether Alderley and the Edge and Hough.



Distance: 9-10 miles; Climb: Not a lot (less than 1000' at a guess).

Start: National Trust car Park close to the Wizard Restaurant, Alderley Edge. This is a Pay and Display car park - Free to National Trust Members. Grid ref: SJ860773.

Leave Chester at 8-30 a.m. and meet at the car park.




This walk combines two walks from Graham Beech's book " East Cheshire Walks". He describes it as being moderate. The walk will again probably give us views of the communications tower on Croker Hill/Sutton Common. We may also get the opportunity to visit Nether Alderley Mill (National Trust- so bring your N.T cards with you if you are members.)

Thursday 23rd January 2014.

Big Covert and Bryn Alyn.

Distance: 10 miles. Climb: 1900'.

Start: Layby on the A494 Mold to Ruthin Road, about 1/2 mile South of Llanferres. Grid ref: SJ187597.

Leave Chester 09-00 a.m.

This walk uses two walks from Dave Berry's book More Walks in the Clwydian Hill".  We have combined these walks on several occasions before and the section over Bryn Alyn is always good. However this time our route will only use part of one walk and will take us on both sides of Big Covert, one path quite close to Burley Hill Quarry.

It will also give us another opportunity to test our route finding skills through Nercwys Forest, although last year we did get right!

Saturday 25th January 2014.

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 17-00., so there shouldn't be any problem.

Thursday 30th January 2014.

A Short Walk followed by our Annual Walking Group Meal 

at the Boathouse, Parkgate.

A Parkgate Round.

Please note on this occasion I am not going to sort out transport arrangements. 

It up to those living in similar areas to arrange transport between themselves. 

Latest (Thursday 06-500) weather forecast suggests it should dry partly cloudy, cold (about 1 Celsius, feeling like -1 Celsius), possible Wintry showers around mid-day with East south easterly winds of 6-10 kph (7-8 mph on the BBC).

Distance: 5-6 miles. Climb: 200'.

Start: Boathouse Inn and Restaurant car park, Parkgate: SJ275787.

Leave Chester at 09-00.

High tide is at about 10-24 and is quite a big one at 9.1 m / 31.4'.  Hopefully the car park won't be full, but expect it to be busy as lots of birdwatchers are likely to be around for high tide.

 The walk starts by heading past the golf course, before heading inland to the Wirral Way. We will follow the Wirral Way as far as Neston, we will head back to the estuary at Neston Old Quay. The final part of the walk will be along the coastal path. Much of the walk is the same as the walk that we did on 12th December 2013, but in the opposite direction.

Bring binoculars with you if you have them.



As we will be eating at about 13-30, I anticipate stopping about half way round or slightly earlier, if a suitable spot is found so that those that want to have a drink or small snack can do so.

Walkers Meal 30th January 2014

Walker Meal 30^th January 2014 
Boat House Inn, Parkgate.
Those walking should be back at the Boat House by 13-00, ready start the meal at about 13-30.

Those planning to come for the meal to date:
Martyn - choices made , transport arranged*, 
Dave and Sylvia - choices made,
Phil - choices made,  transport arranged*, 
Wendy and Ian - choices made, transport arranged*, 
Celia - won't decide until the day, transport arranged*, 
Annie - choices made, transport arranged*,
David S. - choices made, transport arranged*,
Sue and Michel,- choices made, transport arranged*,
Gordon and Sheila - choices made,
Sue and Dave P transport arranged*, 
Roger and Margaret - choices made, transport arranged*,
Paul, 
Tim and Carol - choices made, transport arranged*.
* those planning to walk.

Hopefully I have managed to e-mail everyone with the menus from the Boat House. If not I apologise for missing you out.  Just in case this is the case, the 3 menus that they have sent me are as follows:

Menu 1

Chef’s Soup of the Day

Served with bread

Deep Fried Whitebait

With paprika mayonnaise brown bread & butter

Galia & Honeydew Melon Balls

With poached pear

Black Pudding & Portobello Mushrooms

On toast with blue cheese & a tomato sauce

Somerset Brie Wedges

On a poached pear & walnut salad

~~~

Trio of Sausage

Three Styles of Sausage : Black Pudding, Mature Cheddar & Tomato Served on a bed of creamy garlic & rosemary mash with an onion gravy.

Crayfish & Cod Fishcakes

Served with Celeriac Coleslaw

Oven Roasted Salmon Fillet

On a bed of Beetroot Risotto

Vegetable Burrito

Served with Savoury Rice, mixed salad & sour cream

Chicken Breast & Mushroom Gnocchi

Topped with Goats Cheese, in a creamy garlic sauce

~~~

Trio of Ice Cream: A choice of 3 from;

Vanilla, strawberry, mint choc chip, rum & raisin or chocolate

Warm Double Chocolate Brownie

With vanilla ice cream

Blackberry & Apple Crumble

With custard, cream or ice cream

Passion Fruit Crème Brulee

With Shortbread biscuits

Eton Mess

Strawberries, whipped cream & meringue

2 course £16 or 3 courses £21

_________________________________________________________________________

Menu 2

Chef’s Soup of the Day

Served with bread

Black Pudding & Portobello Mushrooms

On toast with blue cheese & a tomato sauce

Somerset Brie Wedges

On a poached pear & walnut salad

Chicken Liver Pate

Served with a tomato & blackberry chutney

Breaded Confit Duck Cakes

With a ginger & Hoi Sin Dip

~~~

Whole Filleted Sea Bass

With Lyonnaise potatoes, fine green beans & a fish cream sauce

Pork Loin Steak topped with Apple & Blue Cheese

With a Black Pudding Mash

Oven Roasted Salmon Fillet

On a bed of Beetroot Risotto

Chicken Breast & Mushroom Gnocci

Topped with Goats Cheese, in a creamy garlic sauce

Blue Cheese & Mushroom Gnocchi

Served with garlic focaccia & a green salad

~~~

Trio of Ice Cream A choice of 3 from;

Vanilla, strawberry, mint choc chip, rum & raisin or chocolate

Warm Double Chocolate Brownie

With vanilla ice cream

Blackberry & Apple Crumble

With custard, cream or ice cream

Passion Fruit Crème brulee

With Shortbread biscuits

Eton Mess

Strawberries, whipped cream & meringue

2 courses £19 or 3 courses £24

_______________________________________________________________

Menu 3

Potted Shrimps

Served warm with lemon butter & wholemeal toast

Breaded Duck Cakes

With a ginger & Hoi Sin Dip

Somerset Brie Wedges

On a poached pear & walnut salad

Chicken Liver Pate

Served with a Tomato & Blackberry chutney.

Eggs Benedict

With roasted ham, poached egg, spinach & a hollandaise sauce on a toasted muffin

~~~

Whole Filleted Sea Bass

With Lyonnaise Potatoes, fine green beans & a fish cream sauce

Slow Roasted Lamb Shank

With dauphionoise potatoes & honey glazed Chanteney Carrots

Roast Gressingham Duck Breast with Cherry Sauce

With dauphinoise potatoes & fine green beans

Plaice Fillets with Smoked Salmon & Prawn Mousse

Served with new potatoes & fine green beans

21 day aged 8oz Shropshire Sirloin Steak

With mushroom, tomato & chips

~~~

Trio of Ice Cream A choice of 3 from;

Vanilla, strawberry, mint choc chip, rum & raisin or chocolate

Warm Double Chocolate Brownie

With vanilla ice cream

Passion fruit Crème Brulee

With a shortbread biscuit

Sticky Toffee Pudding

With toffee sauce & vanilla ice cream

Baked Blueberry Cheesecake

With White Chocolate Sauce

2 courses £23 or 3 courses £28

_____________________________________________________________________

    I assume that we can choose from any of the the three menus as long as we, as individuals keep within one.  

   I would be grateful, if you would let me know your choices by Sunday 26th January 2014, so that I can let them know on the Monday.

 If you find that you are unable to join us for the meal, I would be grateful if you would let me know by 26th January 2014.

A Coastal Walk From Llanfairfechan 25th January 2014

Recent storm damage in a woodland adjacent to the Afon Aber.

On of 5 sightings of Little Egrets today.

A Chaffinch seen from the hide at the Aber Ogwen nature Reserve.

Roger walking past the storm damage on the way Morfa Madryn nature Reserve.

One of the many Wigeon seen today.

Brent geese seen West of Llanfairfechan.

Walk stats: Distance: 10.8 miles. Climb: GPS wind assisted 1670', in reality about 100'!

Time: 5 hours 36 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.4 m.0.h. Overall walk average: 1.9 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn and Roger.

We arrived at the start with the car registering temperature of 10 Celsius, and at times wondered why we were in full Winter gear! However the Westerly / South westerly wind, whilst not being cold was enough to keep us relatively cool. No rain at all during the morning stroll to the Aber Ogwen Nature Reserve.

 The tide was pretty well at its lowest, so most of the birds were only seen in the distance, but on the way back a few more came in closer as the incoming tide approached.

 As it was still on the breezy side, I decide our best option for lunch was to take advantage of one of the hides on the Aber Ogwen Nature Reserve.

 This turned out to be a good choice as we saw quite a few birds as we enjoyed our lunch, but more important we were able to sit out, an horrendous storm in which the thunder was so close it made the seats in the hide shake!

 Having sat out the storm, we had one shower on the way back, not that much, and the wind was in the right direction to assist our progress. 

 Birds seen or heard today included: Feral pigeon, Mallard, Mute swan, Goosander, Brent goose, Wigeon, Teal, Shelduck, Lapwing, Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Black-headed gull, Herring gull, Great black-backed gull, Eurasian curlew, Oystercatcher, Blue tit, Great tit, House sparrow, Chaffinch, Moorhen, Grey heron, Common starling, Dunlin, Little egret, Common redshank, European robin, Common blackbird and Black-billed magpie.

 Overall a delightful coastal walk, even if Roger did manage to get wet as he changed his boots at the end of the walk!

 After walk drinks as always were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn at Pentre Halkyn, where the Lees bitter went down well. It was good to see the Britannia so full that we had to go into the small room on the opposite side of the bar to our normal place by the fire!

All Around Big Covert and Bryn Alyn 23rd January 2014

Waiting for the "twitcher"!

Heading for the lunch spot.

Early lunch on the edge of Burley Hill Quarry.

Looking across Burley Hill Quarry from the East.

Looking east towards Nercwys Forest, the next objective.

Our final approach from Bryn Alyn, heading for Llanferres.

Walk stats: Distance: 9.2 miles. Climb: 2100' (GPS wind assisted reading!).

Time: 5 hours 37 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.0 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.6 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Roger, Annie, Sue and Michel, Phil, Tim, Wendy, David S., Sue and Dave.

A record number for 2014 on a Thursday set off, optimistic that the weather would be kind, thankfully that proved the case, and the only complaints that in the morning everyone was too warm!

 Although the extension at the start of the walk was little contrived in that it took up and down Big Covert and went on both sides of Burley Hill Quarry, it was a good option and gave us other ideas for future walks. another bonus was that we used another couple of paths not used before by us.

 Lunch was taken a little early (started at 11-58), and members of the group thought I might be ill! However it was a suitable spot, plenty of stones to sit on and in the Sun sheltered from any wind, and I new had we gone further lunch spot opportunities would be difficult to find. So lunch was taken despite the fact that it was early and we'd only walked 3.5 miles and climbed about 800'!

 Once again we managed to find the right path through Nercwys Forest and found a much dryer path than the described path to Eryrys, one that will be used again on future walks.

 At times, particularly around the tops of Bryn Alyn, the wind was on the breezy side, but in reality the temperature was ideal for a Winter walk, and considering all even Wendy and roger couldn't complain too much about the mud!

 Not many birds seen or heard today, but they included: Common blackbird, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Raven, Common buzzard, Blue tit, European robin, Great tit and House sparrow.

 after walk drinks were enjoyed at Red Lion at Penyffordd, where Speckled Hen went down quite well!

Alderley Edge, Hough and Nether Alderley 18th January 2014

The view from The Edge.

A different part of the Edge.

Looking towards Sutton Common.

"Don't you like our hat?"

"What am I doing here?"

On the new footpath over the Alderley Edge by-pass, heading for Nether Alderley.

Walk stats: Distance: 9.1 miles. Climb:1100'.

Time: 4 hours 56 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.2 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.9 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Roger and Mike.

Not knowing what weather to expect, we set off with full waterproof gear on. Alas we should have believed the BBC forecast that said "no rain". They were pretty well right as the only rain was a a few spots during the morning, and then in the car on the way home.

Quite surprisingly we had The edge to ourselves, and could enjoy the views without masses of people swarming everywhere.

  On the edge the walk quite appropriately described the path as being "mushy in places, it wasn't just these paths either. "Some of the fields we had to cross were quite wet, and some would say quite muddy too, especially where many cattle had done their best to enhance underfoot conditions!

 Lunch was taken in a small wood, where Mike and Roger took advantage of a fallen tree to sit on, I used  a step on a stile. 

 The last part of the walk was along the cobbled Bradfield Lane, by which time, Roger had forgotten about his muddy adventures.

 Birds seen or heard today included: Song thrush, Blue tit, Great tit, Wood nuthatch, Fieldfare, Redwing, Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Woodpigeon, Common buzzard, Black-billed magpie, European robin, Dunnock, Common blackbird and Mike said he heard a Great spotted woodpecker.

 Overall an enjoyable walk, perhaps one day I'll have to do it as a Summer walk.

 After walk drinks were enjoyed at the recently refurbished Shrewsbury Arms on the Helsby Road, where Mike sampled both the Green King and the Blacksheep bitters that were on offer, Roger enjoyed his two bottle of Becks, and the driver enjoyed a pot tea!

A Loggerheads Round 16th January 2014

Setting off from Loggerheads towards Maeshafn.

Our first sighting of a Mosaic on the Denbighshire Trails.

A new view of Moel Famau.

Heading towards Colomendy Outdoor Centre on a new path (to us).

Another mosaic, depicting the search light in Liverpool, during the 2nd World War.

Walk stats: Distance: 9.2 miles. Climb: 1167'.

Time: 5 hours 36 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.0 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.6 m.p.h. 

Group: Martyn, Roger, Annie, Sue and Michel, and Phil.

We were pleasantly surprised today as the showery weather forecast didn't materialise, and we experienced no more than a few spots of rain, and most of those were within the last half a mile.

 We have done this walk several times before, so today we decided to vary the walk by taking a different path though Aberduna forest to Maeshafn. This proved to be a good choice and I am sure will be used in future when heading for Maeshafn from Loggerheads.

 Lunch was taken at Eryrys, where most of the group were able to take advantage of the seat in the bus shelter, a lunch spot chosen anticipating rain showers.

 On the return journey, we decided to miss out Deborah's Well and investigate another path to Loggerheads from Gwernymynydd  via the outdoor centre and the mosaic trail. This too was a good choice and gives us another good variation to the normal described route.

 We arrived back at the car, with surprisingly weary legs, but thankfully still dry, muddy boots excepted.

 Birds seen or heard today included: Blue tit, Great tit, Chaffinch, Common blackbird, European robin,Woodpigeon, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Black-billed magpie, Eurasian jay, Redwing, Common pheasant, Raven and Common buzzard.

 After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Golden Cape on Mold, where a Spitting Feathers brew was enjoyed by some.

Mynydd Garthmyn and more 11th January 2014

On top of the world!

On the summit of Mynydd Garthmyn.

panorama from Mynydd Garthmyn, looking towards Snowdonia.

Moel Siabod from our lunch spot near Capel Garmon burial chamber.

Panorama from Capel Garmon burial chamber.

Part of the cascading Afon Conwy.

The Moon above.

Walk stats: Distance: 9.9 miles. Climb: 1611'.

Time 6 hours 8 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.0 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.6 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Mike and Roger.

This was a glorious day for walking, almost wall to wall blue sky, pleasantly warm Sunshine and very little wind. This truly could have been a shorts day (for some), but at least there was no need to wear a fleece/jacket (for some)!

 The views today were superb, especially when the snow covered peaks of Northern Snowdonia came in to view.

 Roger was so keen o get to the lunch spot that at one point he ran down hill so fast (reaching over 8 m.p.h.), it was almost like a "Compo" scene on "Last of the Summer Wine"!

 Lunch was taken near the Capel Garmon burial chamber site, where we sat enjoying the warm sunshine on our backs, with glorious views towards Moel Siabod and the high peaks of Snowdonia.

 One or two sections of the walk were a little steeper than our more recent walks and the last descent towards Betws-y-Coed took its toll on our knees, and we were grateful to get back to the car and be able to sit down and take the weight off our feet.

 Birds seen or heard today included: Blue tit, Great tit, Coal tit, Chaffinch, European robin, Common blackbird, Jackdaw, Black-billed magpie, Eurasian jay, Common buzzard, Common snipe, Carrion crow, Wood nuthatch, Meadow pipit, Dunnock and Fieldfare.

 After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn, where the Lees bitter was back on and was in good nick!