The Horseshoe Falls, Barber's Hill.Vivod estate and Berwyn Halt 27th February 2019

The Horseshoe Falls from the llantysilio Green Car Park.

Snowdrops in the churchyard at llantysilio Green.

The Horseshoe Falls.

Weeds under the clear water of thwe llangollen Canal.

Weeds under the clear water of thwe llangollen Canal.

On the tow path of the llangollen canal.

Looking West from the bridge at Llangollen.

Snowdrops near Cae-Madog.

The Eglwyseg Escarpment from the Glyn Ceiriog Road.

Looking North east across the Dee Valley towards castell Dinas Bran.

More Snowdrops next to the path leading to the A5 at Berwyn.

Looking North east from the Chain Bridge.

Walk stats: Distance: 7.8 miles. Climb:1189'.

Time: 4 hours 31 minutes. On the move walking average 2.4 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.7 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Sue and Michel, Roger, Wendy, David S, Paul and Scrumble.

This was another superb day for walking, cool at first but soon warming up to a very pleasant temperature in the mid-teens Celsius. Bright and sunny throughout and hardly any wind. The views today were superb, particularly towards the Llantysilio Mountains,  Eglwyseg escarpment and Castell Dinas Bran.

 The Snowdrops in the churchyard at Llantysilio Green were past their best (we should have been two weeks earlier), but we did find small pockets of Snowdrops at their best later in the day.

 A bonus today was being able to see inside the church.

 We even had close views of the Llangollen to Corwen steam train as it ran alongside the canal path and again later a it stopped at the Berwyn Halt.. 

  Lunch was taken just before we descended the Glyn Ceiriog road to Vivod. We sat on the grassy bank,basking in the Sun or if you were lucky on nearby tree stumps.

 Much of the walk after lunch was along minor roads that frequently gave superb views across the Dee Valley.

 Our final view of the River Dee was as we crossed the Chain Bridge.

 We arrived back at the car, having had a really good walk and with boots that for once din't need a major clean to be ready for the next walk.

 Birds seen or heard today included: Blue tit, Great tit, House sparrow, Rook, Jackdaw, Mallard, Common buzzard, Black headed gull, Goosander, European robin, Common blackbird and Common chaffinch.

 After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Sun Inn at Trevor, where the Weetwood Eastgate bitter was so good it require a second pint!

Coed-y-Felin, Moel Ffagnallt and Moel y Gaer 23rd February 2019

The upper path through Coed-y-Felin.

The Clwydian Hills fro the road North of Clicain Hall, Hendre.

Rhes-y-cae and Halkyn Mountain from Moel Ffagnallt.

Snowdrops in the church yard at Rhes-y-cae.

A newly created "football pitch" at Rhes-y-cae.

What everyone does as soon as they have finished lunch!

A Common buzzard Mount Villas, Moel-y-crio.

Part of Moel y Gaer ramparts.

Moel Fammau is over there somewhere!

Walk stats: Distance: 8.9 miles. Climb: 1208'.

Time: 4 hours 28 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.5 m.p,h, Overall walk average: 2.0 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Jim and Ed.

This was another good day for walking, plenty of warm sunshine, but with a cooling breeze - no chance of overheating! The position of the Sun in the sky made wearing a sunhat beneficial at times.

 We set off from the Coed-y-Felin car park and decided to take the higher path through the nature reserve, a pleasant alternative to the waymarked lower path.

 Our best views of the Clwydian Hill was from the road North of Cilcain Hall, later in the day distant views were all somewhat misty.Nevertheless near views were good.

 Good progress was made during the morning and we had walked 5 miles as we approached Moel-y-crio and we all agreed it was tine for lunch (allowed now that it had just past 12-00).

 Lunch was taken on the South east side of Moel-y-crio, sheltering from the breeze, but still in the Sun.

  After lunch we headed past Mountain Villas on the way to Moel y Gaer, frequently seeing a Buzzard above us. we assumed it was the same one as we never saw more than one at any one time.

 We arrived back at the cars at 14-00, in plenty of time to get home to watch the Wales v England rugby match.

 Birds seen or heard today included: House sparrow, Blue tit, Great tit, Dunnock,  Common blackbird, Common starling, Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Common chaffinch, European robin, Black-billed magpie, Eurasian jay and Common buzzard.

 Overall a very enjoyable walk, and for once with our boots needing little attention in terms of cleaning.

 After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Blue Bell Inn at Halkyn, where we sampled an excellent pint of J.W. Lees Bitter.

Dates and Walks February 2019

Updated 18th February 2019. Change of walk on Wednesday  27th February 2019.

The Beluga XL visits Broughton 
14th February 2019

It wasn't just me that went to see the Beluga XL coming to Broughton.

Heading towards us from the direction of Blacon.

First time round.

Going round for a second flypast.

Disappearing over the Airbus runway.

Heading towards Blacon for the third time.

Heading towards us again.

The Beluga XL has landed, all is quiet and everyone heads for home.
I'm glad I walked from home, the traffic was grid locked in both directions from the Saltney Ferry Primary School over the railway bridge as far a the Higher Ferry Footbridge Corner on the B5129.
I suspect it wasn't easy on the Ferry Lane side of the river as cars were parked aong the road as far as the beye could see.
The Wonders of Nature.

A vertical icicle (Ice spike) formed in the bird bath over night.

A vertical icicle (Ice spike) formed in the bird bath over night.

How was it formed?

Advanced Notice: Walkers Meal 2019.

Date: Wednesday 13th March 2019.

Location: Pant-yr-Ochain, Gresford.

This is later than usual in order to avoid the February half-term holidays in Flintshire and Cheshire which together spread from 18th February to 3rd March 2019.

I went to the Pant-yr-Ochain on 14th February 2019 and have provisionally booked for 20-24.
I said we would be arriving between 12-30 to 13-00, ready to be seated at 13-00.
18 have said that they will be coming to the meal, but booking for upto 24 allows for any last minute additions.
I will givee the Pant yr Ochain final numbers on Monday 11th March 2019.
Replies already received:
Walk and Meal: 
Martyn, Sue and Michel, Celia, Wendy and Ian, Mike, Nigel, Annie H .
Meal only: David S and Anne, Jim and Pauline, Roger and Margaret, Naomi, Sue and Dave P, Mike, Paul (yet to confirm if he is walking as well).

Walk: The Clywedog between Bersham and The Nant.

Distance: 4.0 miles Climb: 142 m /462’.

Start: Layby on Plas Buckley Road, Grid ref: SJ308491, near Bersham Bridge, East of Bersham Ironworks. At Junction 4 on the A483, turn left onto the A525 and follow brown signs marked Bersham and Clywedog Trail. Take the first turn on the right, the B5098 (Berse Road). At the T-junction turn right onto the B5099 and take the next right into Plas Buckley Road. The layby is immediately on the left after passing under the Bersham Road Bridge. There is a rubbish bin in the layby.

The walk starts by following a minor road fo about a mile, and then takes a path through woodland and fields to Plas Power Wood and onto Nant Mill. There are picnic benches to use, if we decide to start for refreshments. Probably better on the way back from The Nant where there is a ford to cross the Afon Clywedog. We will probably use the nearby footbridge. We will then follow the Clywedog Trail back to the start. The section Nant Mill takes us through the delightful ancient woodland called Big Wood.

Saturday 2nd February 2019.

No Walk today as I will be attending the induction service at Waverton Evangelical Fellowship (WEF) of our new pastor Robin Gerrard.

Wednesday 6th February 2019.

Burton and Parkgate.

Distance:10 miles. Climb:338'.
Start: Roadside parking on Denhall Lane next to benches overlooking the marshes. Grid ref: SJ301747.

Leave Chester 9-00 a.m.

The Burton circuit is taken from Jen Darling's book "Walks in West Cheshire and the Wirral". The extension will involve some road walking through Neston to link up with the Wirral Way and onto Parkgate. The return route will use coastal paths as much as possible and passes Neston Old Quay and Denhall Quay on the way back to Denhall Lane.
High tide is at 12-08. 9.2 m / 30.1'. If the tide hasn't ebbed suffiiently, we may have to use the Wirral Way/Cycle path back to the start.

Saturday 9th February 2019.

Clip-y-Orsedd and theThe Druid Circle. 

Distance: 9 miles. Climb:1400'.

Leave Chester 8-30 a.m.

Start: Car park behind the bank in Llanfairfechan. Turn right of Village Road. Grid ref:SH682747.

This walk uses two walks from Dave Berry's book "Walks on the North Wales Coast." These two walks combine to make one of my favourite walks in this area as they explore the hills behind  Llanfairfechan and Penmaenmawr. We will visit the impressive Druids' Stone Circle, but on this occasion we will miss out Foel Lus.  On a good day we should get good views, especially towards the coast and Tal y Fan. We will only extend the walk as far as the Druids Circle.

Wedesday 13th February 2019.

Leasowe Lighthouse to New Brighton and Back.


Distance: 9-10 miles. Climb: 200'.



Start: North Wirral Coastal Park car park. Grid ref: SJ257915.



To get to this car park, instead of turning left towards the lighthouse, as the A551 turns right onto Leasowe Road, go straight on (past PC block on right and cafe/snack hut on left). This car park has a good tarmac surface.

Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.



Usually this is a walk along the beach to Perch Rock Fort, However this time, High tide is at about 16-33, 7.8m, 25.6'. Although his is quite a low tide. We should be able to walk along the beah to Perch Fort Rock. From Perch Fort Rock, we will continue onto Vale Royal Park (where we in the past we have had lunch) and onto Wallasey Gardens. Hopefully the weather will be a little less windy than in recent years, but if it is there is always the Wind Shelters by the Marine lake to sit in as we have lunch.

 After lunch, if possible we will walk along the beach back to Leasowe, if the state of the tide still allows us or if we wish we can use the firmer concrete promenades.



Hopefully there will be plenty of birds to see, so bring binoculars with if you have any.

Saturday 16th February 2019.

Tegg's Nose and Macclesfield Forest. 

Reaarranged from 19th January 2019

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. This is a walk that we have come to like and regularly appears on the list at this time of the year. Wintering birds sometime visit the many reservoirs we walk around, so it is useful to bring binoculars just in case.




Wednesday 20th February 2019.

Rhuddlan L.N.R ., the Rhuddlan to Rhyl Riverside Walk with possible extensions to the Brickworks Pool N.R. and the Forydd.


Distance: 8 -11 miles. Climb: 200'.



Start: Park at the Rhuddlan L.N.R. car park. Grid ref: SJ020776. 

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 new hotel. 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 do as little birdwatching 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 by the Marine Lake, near the Foryd.  We have also had lunch on the beach at the Foryd. Although we didn't see Snow buntings on the Foryd last year, with a bit of luck we may see them this year. 

High tide at the Foryd is at 11-18, 10.0 m / 32.8'.

Last year we didn't do any of the extensions!  Extension, if any will  be taken at each appropriate point in the walk and decided on the day depending on how everyone feels.

The West bank of the river can be quite muddy, so we may opt to keep our boots clean and retrace our steps on the tarmac path on the East side of the river.



Saturday 23rd February 2019.

Coed-y-Felin, Moel Ffagnalt and Moel-y-Gaer.

Distance: 9-10 miles. Climb: 1400'.

Start: Coed-y-Felin, Hendre. Grid ref: SJ196678.

Leave Chester at 09-00.

This walk combines two walks taken from Dave Berry's booklet " Walks Around Holywell and Halkyn Mountain.

It is a few years since we last walked from this from Coed-y-Felin, and this will be the first time we have done so on a Saturday.. The main walk explores the varied countryside between the Wheeler Valley and and Halkyn Mountain, whilst the extensions explores Moel Ffagnalt and the area around Rhes-y-cae.Weather pemitting we can expect good views from both Moel Ffagnallt and Moel-y-Gaer.

Wednesday 27th February 2019.

Barber Hill, Vivod Estate and the Horseshoe Falls.


Distance:10 miles.

Climb: 2000'
Start: Llantysilio Green Natiional Trust (Bring Membeship Card if you have one) car park. Grid ref: SJ198433


Leave Chester 9-00 a.m.
This walk combines two walks taken from Dave Berry's book "Walks Around Llangollen and the Dee Valley".  This can be a glorious walk, if the weather is good.

 I have brought this walk forward by a week,  so hopefully it won't be too late to catch the Snowdrops in Llantysilio Green churchyard still be in flower.

Rhuddlan to Rhyl via Brickfield Pond N.R. along the Riverside Path 20th February 2019

Rhuddlan Castle from the road bridge over Afon Clwyd.

A pair of Goosander on the Afon Clwyd.

A few Great cormorantswaiting for the tide to go out.

Tufted duck, Mallard and Coot on Brickfield Pond.

A single Dunlin with Lapwing on the Rhyl "Marine Lake".

Dunlin with Lapwing on the Rhyl "Marine Lake".

Approaching the Foryd Road Bridge on the riverside path.

On Rhyl's Pont y Draig.

On Rhyl's Pont y Draig.
"Does anyone want their photo taken?"

Rhyl front from Horton's Nose.

The partially drained Marine lake at Rhyl from our lunch spot.

Wigeon on the ebbing Afon Clwyd

Walk stats: Distance: 8.9 miles. Climb: 380'. 

Time:  hours 59 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.7 m.p.h. (2.9 m.p.h. on my nest GPS). Overall walk average: 2.2 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Roger and Margaret, Paul and Scrumble.

The first surprise today, was having Margaret S joining us on a walk, having last walked with the group in 1995!

The forecast for today, was sufficiently good to walk in shorts. in fact it was almost perfect weather for walking in that it wasn't to hot or cold, breezy at times on the way back and only a few spots of rain.

 High tide today was around 11-20, sufficiently large to need a Nation Resources Wales employee to come out to check that the sluice gates were holding the rising tide back and the nearby caravan park wasn't in any danger of flooding.

 As usual  we made the short detour to visit the Brickfield Pond where at this time of the year invariably attracts a variety of Winter visiting birds. We weren't disappointed with several Goosanders showing well.

 The second surprise of the day was to find Rhyl Marine Lake in the process of being drained for maintenance, but it did mean that more waders were taking advantage of the exposed area of the lake.

 After crossing the Pont y Draig and visiting the the beach at Horton's Nose, we decided head back to the station at the Marine Lake for lunch.

 Margaret provide us with delicious rich fruit, but I'm not sure our efforts so far justified the extra calories.

 The return route was a little more direct, and once on the riverside tarmac path, Margaret decided to test her Nordic walking skills and soon disappeared into the distance.

 We were back at the cars quite early, and I was even home early enough to watch the start of the West Indies V England ODI

 Birds seen or heard today included: House sparrow, Carrion crow, Mallard, Teal, Great cormorant, Black headed gull, Herring gull, Jackdaw, Common starling, Canada goose, Eurasian curlew, Black-billed magpie, Goosander, Linnet, Common coot, Moorhen, Tufted duck, Wigeon, Common blackbird, Blue tit, Great ti, European robin, Dunnock, Bullfinch, Mute swan, Collared dove, Common redshank, Woodpigeon, Shelduck, Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Dunlin and Little egret.

 Overall a very enjoyable walk and even ending with clean boots - always a bonus.

  After walk drinks were enjoyed at home watching the cricket.

Tegg's Nose and A walk In The Forest 16th February 2019

Looking towards Hacked Way Lane and Macclesfield Forest from Saddlers Way.

Looking South east down Saddlers Way.

Looking West from Saddlers Way.

Catkins in Macclesfield Forest.

More catkins in Macclesfield Forest.

Shining Tor from Charity Lane.

The Cat and Fiddle from Charity Lane.

St Stephen;s Church (Chapel in the Forest).

Looking over Ridgegate Reservoir towards Tegg's Nose.

Tufted duck on Bottoms Reservoir.

At the remains of the stone cutting machine on Tegg's Nose.

What is this white stuff on Tegg's Nose next to the Gritstone Trail?

Walk stats: Distance: 7.3 miles. Climb: 1529'.

Time: 4 hours 33 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.3 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.6 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn and Jim.

As we got out of the car at the Tegg's Nose Visitor Centre, it felt quite cool, so shorts were discarded in favour of Winter gear. However within about an hour and as we started to climb up Hacked Way lane, the Sun came out and t stated to feel quite warm. The views in all directions were very good, particularly towards Sutton Common and Shining Tor.

 Arriving at St.Stephen's Church (Chapel in the Forest), we decided to see if the church was open. The door was open, so we went in to find two local women getting the church ready for a baptism the next day. Apparently the church door is always open, something to remember on any future visits to this area.

 Much work has been done on many of the forest tracks, covering the surface with stones (limestone/chalk chippings I thnk).

 Lunch was taken at the Trentabank Macclesfield Forest Visitor Centre pic-nic site, where we sat, bathed in warm sunshine.

  After lunch I decided to put my jacket in my rucksack and just walk with a short sleeved shirt on top. Even Jim discarded his jacket after a while.

 Birds seen or heard today included: Carrion crow, Raven, Jackdaw, Blue tit, Great tit, Common buzzard, Dunnock, Goosander, canada goose, Tufted duck, Mallard, Common coot, wood nuthatch, European robin and Black headed gull.

 Tegg's Nose and Macclesfield Forest was a very popular place, I don't remember seeing so many peoples as today,even when visiting in the Summer months. Dog walkers (lots), Cyclists, runners and just ordinary walkers included. Its popularity was confirmed when we arrived back at the car to find that they had opened up the overflow car park.

Overall a very enjoyable walk and we were looking forward to refreshments on the way home.

 Initially we had thought of calling in at the farmers  at Kelsall, but found that it was once again closed. We ended up at The Morris Dancer down the road. This very busy, and the only seats we could find were perching stools around a high table.Nevertheless Cromwell's Bitter from Coach House and Iti Pale from Hawkshead went down very well.