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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, 27 November 2014

The Alun Valley,Llyn Gweryd and Limestone Pastures 27th November 2014

Setting off from Llandegla along the banks of the Afon Alun.
Lunch time on the Limestone rocks North of Creigog-isaf.
Looking towards Moel y Waun from the track South West of Llyn Gweryd.
A motte and bailey - Castell y Rhodwydd.
"Who said it as a flat walk?"
One of the many challenging stiles on the walk today.
"Smoking trees".
Walk stats: Distance: 10.1 miles. Climb: 880'.
Time 5 hours 24 minutes. On the move walking average; 2.3 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.9 m.p.h.
Group: Martyn, David S., Annie, Celia, Phil and Paul.
Having crossed Llandegla Moors in fog / low cloud we weren't very optimistic about seeing any views today. I started off in full Winter gear, but within half an hour I had to remove my jacket and walked for the rest of the day in just a short sleeved shirt.
 The Alun Valley is often quite boggy and today was no exception, but for once no-one was complaining.
 We had a rather early lunch, taking advantage of a little outcrop of Limestone that provided us all with good places to see and quite good views too. David managed to spot a Hare, but it had run away to quickly for anyone else to see.
 Too our surprise, after lunch the Sun came out and we managed to get some good views, especially towards the Vale of Clwyd and beyond as we approached Offa's Dyke and Moel Y Waun.
 We used the access track to Accre Hall, a good alternative to the muddy path leads from Moel y Waun to Accre Hall.
 We also had good views of  Castell y Rhodwydd, one of the best motte and baileys in North Wales.
 Birds seen or heard today included: Common pheasant, Grey heron, Common blackbird, European robin, Woodpigeon, Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Raven, Common buzzard, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Pied wagtail and Fieldfare.
 After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Red Lion at Penyfordd, although the Timoth Taylor Landlord wasn't quite at its best.

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