Walks and Dates November 2017

Advanced Notice
Change of Walk Day.
I have decide that starting in January 2018,
I will be switching the mid-week walk day 
from 
Thursday to Wednesday.
The reason for changing the day is to give my knees an extra day to recover before the Saturday walk.
It also means that our Annual Meal will also be switched to the Wednesday.
Advanced notice.
Harris Hikers Annual Meal 2018.
Probable Venue: The Red Fox, Thornton Hough. 
This is another Brunning and Price hostelry.
Date: Wednesday 7th February 2018.
I haven't approached the Red Fox yet, and won't do so until early in January 2018, so if you prefer another venue, I am open to suggestions.
I will contact everyone by e-mail in December to check how many are interested in joining us for the meal.
Thursday 2nd November 2017

Deborah's Well, Moel Findeg and Big Covert

Distance:7-8 miles. Climb: 1300'.

Start: Lay-by on the  Cadole to the Pantymwyn road. Grid ref: SJ205627. after passing the former Rainbow Inn (now a building site), take the next road on the right just before the newsagent. The lay-by is almost immediately on the right by the telephone kiosk.

Leave Chester 9-00 a.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.  Hopefully we will make it as far as the ancient Deborah's well this time. We may even do it first this time, if we park in the Cadole lay-by.

Saturday 4th November 2017.

A Walk Around Disley. Postponed

Distance: 9-10 mile. Climb: 1200'.
Start: Disley Station Car Park. Grid ref: SJ972845. (If the car park is full, we will go to Lyme Park and park there, so if you are a National Trust member, bring your membership card with you.)
Leave Chester at 08-45 a.m.
This walk combine a walk from Jen Darling's book "More Pub Walks in Cheshire and the Wirral", with a walk from the "Pathfinders Guide to Cheshire".
The latter route takes us along the Gritstone Trail through Lyme Park and up to the Bowstones, where on a good day you get good views of Shutlingsloe and the Cheshire Plain.  The other walk on the East side of Disley, climbs Black Hill and gives good views towards Kinder.

Thursday 9th November 2017.

Grindley Brook to Marbury.

Distance: 8-9 miles. Climb: 200' at a guess.
Start: Layby on the A41, East of Grindley Brook Locks Cafe and about 400 m before the roundabout / junction with the A49. Grid ref: SJ 524428.
Leave Chester at 09-00.
This walk is one that Phil saw in the Times, planned by Christopher Somerville, so ignoring the preduces of many of the group I decided to give a go! The walk starts at the Horse and Jockey, but we will start in the layby a little East of that particular hostelry.
The walk is described as one which goes through a countryside that is a maze of drumlin hills and kettlehole lakelets. I womder if we will be able to identify these two features of the landscape. He describes the walk as being boggy in places, but he did it in February, hopefully it won't be as bad for us! The walk included parts of Bishop Bennett's Way, the Sandstone Trail, South Cheshire Way and parts of the Shropshire Union Canal.

Saturday 11th November 2017.

Jumbles, Wayoh, Turton and Entwistle Reservoirs. 

Distance:10 miles. Climb:1100'.

Start:Waterfold Car Park, off Bradshaw Road (A676), Jumbles Country Park. Grid ref: SD736139

Leave Chester 8-30 a.m.

This walk is based on a walk taken from Terry Marsh's book "Fifty Classic Walks in Lancashire". He describes the walk as a pleasant walk on good paths. The extension to Turton and Entwistle Reservoirs includes another section of the Witton Weaver Way and crosses Turton Heights and a hill called Cheetham Cross. A good and varied walk. Has been known to be on the boggy side on the descent from Cheetham Cross! The last time we did this walk, we missed out Cheetham Cross, making the walk just over 9 miles.

Thursday 16th November 2017.

Owain Glyndwr's Mount, Nant Friddisel and the Pen y Grog Mines,

Distance: 6-7 miles. Climb: 1400'.

Start: Grid ref: SJ115437. Road side parking on B5437 on the South side of Pont Carrog.

This walk is a little shorter than usual, but takes in to account that route finding might be more difficult than usual. The main objective is to visit the Pen y Grog disused mines using a footpath that would be an extension to our normal walk which we last did in July, but having climbed Moel Fferna no-one has been very keen to extend the walk further. The call of the Grouse Inn might have had something to do with it!

 This route starts by heading alongside the river, before taking the paths that climb up to the mine. After retracing our steps the walk uses a path through the Carrog Plantation that we have used before and may take some finding. Having successfully negotiated our way through the forest and on to open moorland we then follow familiar paths towards Carrog-uchaf, but just before the farm we head back South in to the Carrog Plantation to contour on forest paths around Owain Glyndwr's Mount and finally descend to Llidiart y Park and along the B5437 back to Pont Carrog. 

Saturday 18th November 2017.

Ramshaw Rocks and the Roaches. 
Postponed until Summer 2018.
I'm having electrical work done at home.

Distance: 8 miles. Climb: 1400’.

Start: Lay-by on West side of Hen Cloud, opposite the track to Windygates. Grid ref: SK006618.

Leave Chester at 08-00.
Ramshaw Rocks were visited for the first time last year and combined with The Roaches it makes a superb walk, worth repeating on a n annual basis.

This walk allows us to explore Ramshaw Rocks seen so many times as we have walked over the Roaches. Ramshaw Rocks from a distance have always looked to be an interesting place in which to walk. This time Ramshaw Rocks will be our main objective with a North to South traverse of the Roaches a bonus towards the end of the walk. If time and legs permit, Hen Cloud may be included as an extension.

 The route heads North and then North west leading to Well Farm. From Well Farm field paths are used to reach the Churnet Way near Naychurch. The Churnet Way is followed North over Ramshaw Rocks and then leaves the Churnet Way and heads North to visit Black Brook Nature Reserve, After a complete circuit of the Reserve the route drops down to the road South of Newstone Farm. The road is then followed North for about a mile before heading west across Goldstich Moss in to the Black Brook Valley. After crossing the brook on a footbridge the path then rises to Roach End. At Roaches End the main path over the Roaches is followed past the trig point and Doxy Pool back to the start.

Boggy area guaranteed!

Thursday 23rd November 2017.

Sandbach and More.

Distance: 9 miles. Climb: 500'.
Start: Waitrose Car park on Brookhouse Road,  Sandbach. Grid ref: SJ758605. Park at the bottom of the car park near the A533/534 roundabout, well away from the supermarket itself.
Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.
Although the described walk starts in the centre of Sandbach, this is a figure of eight walk around the village of Hassall Green.
The main part of the walk is taken from the Patherfinder Guide to Cheshire. Whilst part of the walk includes the centre of Sandbach, most of the walk visits more secluded areas just outside the town. It is described as including peaceful sections, including two secluded valleys and a section of the Trent and Mersey Canal.
The extension takes us East along th Trent and Mersey Canal as far as Thurlwood, before heading for Lawton Heath End and returning to the car park along the Salt Line.
 This is a new walk for the Thursday group. As it is only 45 minutes from Chester to Sandbach, I thought it would be within distance for a Thursday.

Saturday 25th November 2017.

Llugwy and Lledre. 

Distance: 8-9 miles; Climb: 1000'.

Start: Railway station car park in the centre of Betws-y Coed. Grid ref: SH795565. 

Leave Chester at 8-30 a.m. (It takes about 1 hour 10 minutes from Saltney)

This is another walk taken from Dave Berry's new book "Walks Around Betws-y-Coed and the Conwy Valley". This walk links the beautiful wooded Llugwy and Lledre Valleys. It takes in Sarn Helen, the former Roman Road, and reaches over 800' before descending in to the Lledre Valley. It involves a steep climb to Llyn Elsi or at least that is what Dave Berry says!
The last couple of times I have done this, the weather has not been kind, but hopefully at this time of the year it may not be quite so wet!
This is about the fifth time that I have attempted to put this walk on, hoping for good weather and have ended up postponing the walk. Hopefully this time it will go ahead.

Thursday 30th November 2017.

Gadlys, Nant-y-Flint and More.
This walk has been modified by request!

Distance: 7 - 9 miles; Climb:1100'.

Start: Public car park adjacent to the Stag Inn at Bagillt. Grid ref:SJ219753.

Leave Chester 9-00 a.m.

This walks is taken from Dave Berry's book "Walks Around Holywell and Halkyn Mountain" and is nominally 7 miles. The walk explores the attractive undulating rural hinterland between Bagillt and Flint.

This walk was last done in 2010 and our desire for walks over 10 miles has waned a little since then, so I have of reduced by missing out most f the east of Holywell walk that we did last time. This means that walk will be between 7 and 9 miles, depending on whether we decide to extend the walk a little from the described walk. there are two possible short extension, one to the West and one to the East. We can decide on the day if we want to do both, one or none of them!
 Some of the field paths have been known to be somewhat muddy on past visits and we have had to wade through longish grass - gaiters recommended!

Bryn Euryn and Around the Little Orme 25th November 2017

The Little Orme as we set off.

The Little Orme from the North side of Creigiau Rhiwledyn.

One of the Grey seals in Porth Dyniewlad.

Another the Grey seal in Porth Dyniewlad.

Porth Dyniewlad.

On Penrhyn Bay beach heading towards Rhos on Sea.

Lunch at Llys Euryn.

Llandudno and the Great Orme from the Northern slopes of Bryn Euryn.

At the trig point on Bryn Euryn.

At the trig point on Bryn Euryn.

The final stages of our walk ahead. Taken from the Western path on Bryn Euryn.

"Go on, tell me how we are going to get through this gate."

Oystercatchers on flooded fields North east of Glanwydden.

Eurasian curlew in fields North east of Glanwydden.

The new lifeboat station the Great Orme as we finished the walk.

Walk stats: Distance: 8.3 miles. Climb: Wind assisted GPS reading 1590', but about 1000' really.

Time: 4 hours 26 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.3 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.9 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Mike and Ed.

We knew that it was going to be a shower day with strong cooling winds, but we didn't anticipate the 30 minute hail storm accompanied by a very strong wind. It happened just as were about to climb to the trig point on Little Ormes Head and was enough to head away and take the path around the North side of Creigiau Rhiwledyn.

 Distant views of Snowdonia did not look very inviting, covered in dark clouds, making us thankful that we had decided to switch the walk.

 Arriving at Porth Dyniewald we saw three Grey seal in the bay, a bonus as we thought that they would probably stay at sea in bad weather.

 Once w had left the beach at Penrhyn Bay, there was a good stretch of road walking through the houses until we reached Bryn Euryn Nature Reserve.

 Lunch was taken in the ruins of Llys Euryn, where Ed bagged the hot seat in the old fireplace.

  After lunch we headed to the summit of Bryn Euryn on the Summit trail path that I have in the past used for descent and used the Western Summit Trail Path to descend. This was a path that I had never used before, but Ed. This was a much better path and will be one that we use whenever we visit Bryn Eurhyn.

 After passing the rugby club, as we approached Glanwydden, we decided to take a footpath across fields, but isn't a path we will use again. The footbridge over the Afon Wydden was so overgrown with brambles that it had become unusable and the adjacent wooden beams of the farm bridge were precariously balanced. Having carefully crossed it once, none of us wanted to repeat the experience again.

 It was as we crossed these very boggy fields that we saw most of the birds seen today. They included: Eurasian curlew, Oystercatcher, Rook, Carrion crow, Moorhen, Black headed gull, Herring gull. Other birds seen included: Great cormorant, House sparrow and Common blackbird.

The rest of the walk was a pleasant stroll along tarmac paths, pavements and a short section on a stoned track. 

 After the hail storm of the morning, the rest of the day was largely dry and pleasantly warm whenever we were sheltered from the wind.

 Overall we had a really good walk, one that will be added to the list of our walks that include the Little Orme.

 After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Blue Bell in Halkyn, where Wicked Was Cider went down well.

A Sandbach Walk 24th November 2017

On the towpath from Hassall Green to Sandbach.

On the towpath from Hassall Green to Sandbach.

St. Nary's Church, Sandbach.

Tall Chimnys.

The final approach to Hassall Green.

Not the signs we were expecting.

Walk stats: Distance: 6.9' miles. Climb: 607'.

Time: 3 hours 43 minutes. On the move walking average:2.2 m.p.h. Overall wal average: 1.9 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Celia, Mike and David S.

This walk didn't get off to a good start, we arrived at the Waitrose car park in Sandbach to find it full and it took us 10 minutes to get out of it! 

 We set off in search of a new parking place, and i remembered that we did start the walk on a previous occasion at the Salt Line car park at Hassall Green. we arrived there to find that the Salt Line Footpath was closed blocking off the return route of the extension part of the walk.

 The workmen spotted us looking at our maps and pointed out the way we could get round the closure by the M6 road bridge.

 We set off along the tow path in the direction of Sandbach, and it wasn't long before the >5% chance of rain turned into 100%!

 We sheltered underneath a bridge while waterproof trousers were put on by those that hadn't set off wearing them. As the rain stopped I set off on my own, knowing that that they would soon catch up with me, hoping that I might have the opportunity to do a bit of bird watching. Thankfully I did, as it wasn't long before I saw that vivid flash of blue as a Kingfisher flew past me, heading towards the rest of the group. Alas they didn't see it!

 We followed the Trent and Mersey Canal as far as Wheelock Warf where we crossed to the opposite side of the canal before taking a footpath Northward towards Sandbach.

 We arrived at Sandbach at about 12-15, where several seats around Sandbach Crosses seemed like the ideal spot for lunch, but was rejected by one member of the group as being too public!

 We continued on our way, but didn't find anywhere suitable to stop, and ended up using two stiles by Betchton Road near the M6. At least we were in the warm sunshine, even if we could hear the constant drone of the vehicles on the motorway.

 We were expecting the muddy sections to be along the canal towpath, but on this occasion the path South east from the Tall Chimneys was the worst. I must remember that if we do this walk again, not to do it after a heavy spell of rain!

 Having set off after 10-30, we decided not to attempt the extension to the walk, and complete the walk as descried.

 Birds seen or heard today included: Wood nuthatch, Moorhen, Common blackbird, Mallard, Fieldfare, Carrion crow, House sparrow and Kingfisher.

 We arrived at the Farmer's Arms at Kelsall to find that it wasn't open, in fact they were getting it ready to open tomorrow after having been closed since July.

 We were just about to set off in the car, when w were called back and invited to sample some of the beers as they were pulling them through and checking to see that they were all OK in time for the grand Friday opening.

 Celia was happy with the lager that she tried and Mike and David enjoyed draught Guinness. As no real ales were available (still settling in the cellar), I wasn't going to have a drink, but was offered a coffee which also went down well.

 We were all impressed with their welcome and wish this local family well as they try to bring life back into this hostelry. We will certainly return whenever we walk in this side of Cheshire. They had a very friendly black lab called Meg that demanded to be fussed by everyone, including Celia!

Pen y Grog Mine and Nant Ffriddisel 16th November 2017

Pen y Grog from Pont Carrog.

Pen y Grog from Pont Carrog Mine.

Fishing on the Dee West of Pont Carrog.

Autumnal colours on show.

Playing the waiting game.

At Pen  Grog Mine.

An old boiler at Pen y Grog.

The llantysilioMountins from the slopes above Carrog Newydd.

Carrog Station, but no trains running today.

Walk stats: Distance: 5.9 miles. Climb: 1227'.

Time: 4 hours 4 minutes. On the move walking average: 1.8 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.4 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Roger, Sue and Michel.

Approaching Carrog it was raining quite hard and all nearby hill tops were in cloud, and it was hard to believe that the weather forecast would be right and it would clear mid-morning. After waiting ten minutes in the car it did, and we managed to set of on the walk, experiencing only a few spots of rain for the rest of the day.

 The views across the Dee Valley towards the Llantysio Mountains were superb, enhanced by Autumnal colours.

 The final climb up the grassy slope to the Pen y Grog Mine is never inviting and Sue decided the best option was sit on a convenient rock admiring the view and enjoying the warm sunshine.

 The rest of us reached the old mine where one or to old carts were still in reasonable condition near the tram way.

 As we started the climb through Nant Ffriddisel, were learned that there was a Pheasant shoot taking place in the afternoon in the location that we had hoped to explore on the way back to Carrog, so we had to revise our route and walk back along the road to Llidiat y Parc.

 Lunch was take just after leaving the Carrog Plantation where we could take advantage of an old stone wall. At this point we were in bright sunshine, but being more expose it was accompanied by quite a cool wind.

 Sue provided us all with some delicious apple cake, made from some of windfall apples collected on the walk last week.

 As we descended the views of the Llantysilio Mountain and Eglwyseg Escarpmnts  opened up, looking superb with blue skies above.

 Birds seen or heard today included: House sparrow, Blue tit, Common blackbird, Common buzzard, Rook, Jackdaw, raven, Fieldfare, Grey heron, Common chaffinch, raven and Peregrine falcon.

 We arrived back at the car, having had a good walk and ready to enjoy refreshments at the Grouse Inn. as usual the Lees bitter was excellent.

Jumbles, Waho, Turton and Entwistle Reservoirs 11th November 2017

Looking South from Cheetham Close.

On the slopes of Cheetham Hill with Winter Hill in the background.

At the trig point on Cheetham Close.

Winter Hill from Cheetham Close.

Crossing the footbridge at East end of Turton and Entwistle Reservoir.

Turton and Entwistle Reservoir from the East.

Walk stats: Distance: 10.3 miles, Climb: 822'.

Time: 5 hours 3 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.5 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.0 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Mike, Elaine and John.

The forecast suggested that we would be i n for a cold but dry day, so I decided to switch to my Paramo Winter gear - big mistake! it turned out to be pleasantly warm all day, especially when the Sun came from behind the occasional cloud.

 The views from Cheetham Close were well worth the effort of the climb to the trig point and the bog hopping descent afterwards. Thankfully we all avoided getting wet feet.

 Lunch was take by Turton and Entwistle Reservoir, where we found a bench to sit on as we basked in the Sunshine and watched the dog walkers pass by as we enjoyed our refreshments.

 After lunch, much of the walk was along the Western side of all three reservoirs, but alas their notoriety as being a haven for birds did not materialise except for a some Mallards, Great cormorants and a few Black headed gulls.

 We arrived back at the car park, having had a very enjoyable walk with plenty of time to catch up all that was happening with our friends at Bolton.

Grindley Brook and Marbury 9th November 2017

On the South Cheshire Way Bishop Bennet Way East of Grindley Brook.

St Michael's and All Angels Church, Marbury.

On the path adjacent to Big Mere, Marbury.

Our approach to St Michael's and All Angels Church, Marbury.

Some of the local residents on Big Mere, Marbury.

Two local residents at Grindley Brook.

Walk stats: Distance: 9.3 miles. Climb: 487'.
Time:4 hours 33 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.4 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.0 m.p.h.
Group: Martyn, Sue and Michel, Roger and Mike.
With less than 5% chance of rain we were optimistic that waterproofs would not be needed, but alas that wasn't to be the case and within an hour we were all donning full waterproofs! Thankfully it didn't last and it was safe to remove them when we stopped for lunch.
 Walks like this, are pleasant enough, but don't give many opportunities of seeing views of note. The best view was the that of St Michael's and All Angels Church, Marbury, looking across Big Mere from the South.
 Fieldfare seemed to be everywhere, another sign that Autumn is here.
 Most of the route after lunch involved a pleasant 4 miles stroll along the towpath of the Shropshire Union Canal from Church Bridge, Marbury Northward back to Grindley Brook.
 Birds seen or heard today included: Common starling, Woodpigeon, Rook, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Common buzzard, Black-headed gull, Lesser black-backed gull, House sparrow, Blue tt, Common blackbird, Canada goose, Great crested grebe and Sparrowhawk.
 We arrived back at the car, delayed slightly when a few of the group took advantage of the offer to help yourself to some windfall apples. Thankfully those that did only needed to carry them a couple of hundred yards back to the car.
 After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Horse and Jockey at Grindley Brook where we were first welcomed by the resident dogs, one of which was quite old. The bar staff were very pleasant too.
 As we left the landlord was heard to say " That's what I like to see - a man in still shorts at this time of the year". I wonder who that might be! 
Overall a very pleasant walk.

Deborah's Well, Moel Findeg and Big Covert 2nd November 2017

At Deborah's Well.

A small flock of Badger sheep watch us as we approach the  back of the Hafod Hotel.

 Autumnal colours stating to show.

Moel Findeg on the horizon.

Moel Famau from Moel findeg.

What is it this showing through the trees? 

A closer look showed them to be electricity pylons.

The now disused Burley hill Quarry.

Autumnal colours seen in the Southern edge of Big Covert.

Leaves on the path through Big Covert.

More leaves on the path through Big Covert.

The path through Big Covert, looking South.

Moel Famau from the path that skirts around the West side of Colomendy Outdoor Centre.

Walk stats: Distance 7.2 miles (7.8 miles on some GPSs). Climb: 977'.

Time: 5 hours 0 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.1 m.p.h. (2.4 m.p.h. on some GPSs). Overall walk average:1.4 m.p.h. (1.6 m.p.h. on some GPSs).

Group: Martyn, Roger and David S.

We arrived at Cadole, just as it started to rain, too much to encourage us to get ready to start the walk, so we sat in the cars for about ten minutes, before putting on waterproofs and setting off.

 As a change we were completing this walk in a clockwise direction, the opposite way round to the way that we usually do the walk. 

 It is amazing how different the walk can appear to be, sometimes showing buildings and views we hadn't noticed on previous occasions.

 As we approached the rear of the Hafod Hotel, the rain had stopped completely and we were beginning to suffer from "boil in the bag syndrome", so it was time to remove waterproofs and cool down. Thankfully we didn't need them for the rest of the walk.

 after visiting the top of Moel Findeg, we decided to head for Maeshafn, where we knew there would be a bench that we could take advantage of for lunch. 

After lunch we set off pat the Miners Arms for the path on the East side of Burley Hill Quarry. It was on this section that David had an unpleasant experience with a large spaniel that took a dislike to him and decide to bite him. Thankfully it didn't draw blood, but there is a good chance that David will have a bruise on his leg in the morning.

 The Southern most part of the path as it descended around the quarry was new to me, and provided us with quite a pleasant way of avoiding a fair amount of tarmac normally encountered on this section.

 The route through Big Covert, left us with no doubt that Summer was over and Autumn was here with many leaves in all shades of orange rustling below our feet.

 We arrived back at the cars to find the driver's side of the car covered in a white dusting of limestone/chalk. No doubt this was the spray from the many quarry lorries as they passed the lay-by and left on the cars as the water evaporated in the warm afternoon sunshine.
Overall a very good walk and one I am sure we will do again in the future.

Birds seen or heard today included: House sparrow, Winter wren, Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Blue tit, Wood nuthatch, Black billed magpie, Common blackbird, European robin, Goldfinch and Bullfinch.

 On this occasion after walk drinks were enjoyed at home I didn't want to risk the Glasfryn running out of tea pots again!