The first evidence that Storm Doris has been here, but worse was to come.
Crossing the footbridge, heading South from Gresty's Waste Car Park to Primrose Hill.
The way ahead just twent yards after the footbridge.
Looking across the gallops from Primrose Hill.
The way to King's Gate Car Park also blocked.
Looking towards Liverpool from North of Dodd's Rough, Kelsall.
Looking South East from Manley Common towards the microwave station on Pale Heights.
Daffodils in flower along the Sandstone Trail at Eddisbury Lodge Cottage.
At Pale Heights looking towards Moel Famau.
Looking towards the new Runcorn bridge from Pale Heights.
Walk stats: Distance: 8.6 miles. Climb: 1188'.
Time: 5 hours 7 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.2 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.7 m.p.h.
Group: Martyn and Mike.
The Saturday weather forecast for Betws-y-coed seemed like a repeat of Storm Doris that had caused us to abandon our walk on Thursday. However late on Friday we noticed that one forecast suggested it would be slightly better in the Delamere Forest area. There was a window of about five hours that suggested that we wouldn't get drenched, but might have to put up with strong blustery winds.
We decided that it was worth attempting a walk from Gresty's Waste Car Park, even if we had to abandoned the walk if the weather turned for the worst.
Thankfully it didn't and we were able to complete the walk in the dry and the really strong winds didn't materialise.
Soon after heading towards Primrose Hill we saw our first evidence of Storm Doris's wind power, with a large tree across the footbridge, but a few yards away a lot more trees had been blown over, completely blocking the footpath. We eventually managed to get round them by contouring just below the blockage and climbing up to the Sandstone Trail on the Western side of the blockage.
That wasn't the last of the fallen trees that we would see, another one had fallen across the track leading to the King's Gate Car Park, but that was easy to get round.
We experienced the worst of the mud (well just Mike really) as we approached a farm at Brine's Wood. Having watched Mike go nearly ankle deep in smelly mud, I was able to take a different route around it. In fact getting home, might boots were almost clean that they took just five minutes to give them a quick wipe and clean.
This route certainly has more ups than you might expect, but overall it is probably one of the best and most varied walks in the Delamere Forest area.
At times we had pretty good distant views, particularly towards North Wales and Liverpool.
Birds seen or heard today included: European robin, Common blackbird, Blue tit, Great tit, House sparrow, Wood nuthatch, Woodpigeon, Jackdaw, Mallard, Carrion crow, Fieldfare and Redwing.
Lunch was taken in Delamere Forest about a mile to the East of Manley Common. We were able to take advantage of a bank on the side of the Sandstone Trail, having failed to find any suitable fallen trees on which we could perch as we had lunch.
Probably the highlight of this walk is Pale Heights with its superb views in all directions, lifting your spirits as you make the final descent back to the car park.
Overall a good walk on a day when we didn't think that we would get one!
After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Farmer's Arms in Kelsall, where two of Weetwood's brew were sampled and enjoyed. Unfortunately as w enjoyed our drinks, we heard some bad news - Scotland had just taken the lead in the Six Nations Rugby match at Murrayfield!
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