The Point of Ayr Lighthouse i the middle of a deserted beach at low tide.
Looking back towards Prestatyn.
"Did you say we should be able o see Blackpool Tower from Here?"
"Yes just to the left of the flag!"
One of the new sculptures depicting the use of pit ponies at the Point of Ayr Colliery (Closed in 1996).
The sculpture was put place in July 2017.
Th view from our lunch spot at the RSPB Hide at the Point of Ayr.
Panorama from our lunch spot during lunch.
Panorama from our lunch spot just as we were about to leave.
The Warren and Talacre sand dunes.
Gronant sand dunes looking towards the Point of Ayr.
Not far to go now - the Prestatyn Beach Hotel clearly in view.
Walk stats: 10.5 miles (just over 11 miles for Ed). Climb: (1470' GPS wind assisted reading) nearer 70' in reality.
Time: 4 hours 59 minutes. n the move walking average: 2.5 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.2 m.p.h.
Group: Martyn and Ed.
The forecast was for >10% rain in the morning, accompanied by 20 m.p.h. winds, and feeling like about 8 Celsius. As we set off they were probably right, but as we walked along the beach near Presthaven Holiday Park, it began to rain, not much but it was there!
Only dog walkers seemed to brave the elements today, and there were plenty of them. Distant views this morning were minimal.
As we went through the dunes at Talacre we heard a few Skylarks singing, the irst that I have heard in 2018. A Skylark singing is a special sound to cheer anyone up!
As we approached our normal lunch spot at one of the pic-nic tables adjacent to the path to the Point of Ayr Hide, it was still raining. It would have been somewhat unpleasant to use one for lunch today.
We decided to head for the RSPB Point of Ayr Hide to see if it could afford us shelter from the wind and the wet stuff.
We discovered that a new Circular Point of Ayr Cycle Route had been created and the set off along it as it also indicated that the hide was that way too.
We went as far as the new pit pony sculpture before retracing our steps a little and heading for the hide.
Although it largely an open structure it did have a roof and sides that gave us the shelter required. Although it was well before mid-day we decide an early lunch was the best option. This was a good choice as it stopped raining and the views started to open up and by the end of lunch Hilbre and the Wirral could clearly be seen.
The path around the Point of Ayr Gas terminal is now well marked and easily to follow it round to rejoin the circular Cycle route east of the visitor centre.
On the way to the Warren nature Reserve, we approached it by going down a road called Gamfa Wen, rather than following Station Road to its end.
The Caravan park was quieter than usual, although Winter structural work was in progress and a few people were working on their vans.
The last part of the walk was back along the beach from the "Little Tern Observation point". at least we could now see the Great Orme in the distant.
Birds seen or heard today included: Common starling, House sparrow, Jackdaw, Rook, Mallard, Moorhen, Common blackbird, Oystercatcher, Carrion crow, Common snipe, Mute swan, Teal, Black-headed gull, Herring gull, Black-billed magpie, Winter wren, European robin, Skylark, Shelduck, Eurasian curlew and Stonechat.
Overall a really good and enjoyable walk, especially so when at one point I thought the weather forecast suggested I might be going on a bus trip! Even the strong wind in our faces for the last mile or so didn't matter!
We arrived back at the car at about 14-30, but Ed had a little further to go as he had parked on Marine Road East rather than contributing to the profits of the Beach Hotel.
After walk drinks were enjoyed when I arrived home an hour later - another thirst quenching cup of tea with a drop or two whisky added was all that was required to set me up for watching the FA Cup matches on TV at 19-45.
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