Dates and Walk January 2020

Happy New Year
.In order to encourage a few more people to join us, I have decided to include at least one walk on a Saturday that is less than 6 miles and involves less than 1000' of climb or a little more if the extra effort would make it worthwhile.
The first of these walks will be on 18th January.
Harris Hikers Annual Meal.
Wednesday 11th March 2020.
I have e-mailed everyone that I have e-mail addresses for.
In case you didn't get the e-mail, the content of the e-mail was as follows.

Dear All,

I am in the process of trying to organise Harris Hikers Meal for 2020 to take place on Wednesday 11^th March 2020.

We have four possible venues to consider:

The Red Fox at Thornton Hough,

The Pant-yr-Ochain at Gresford,

The Cross Foxes at Erbistock (suggested by Wendy)

And

The Morris Dancer at Kelsall.

Our choice of venue will depend on numbers as some venues have a maximum group size that they are able to accept, as we found out on Saturday 18^th January when we called in at the Red Fox.

Hence I would be grateful if you could let me know by the end of this month (31^st January 2020) if you plan to come for the meal. Please send me an e-mail or text me once you have decided.

During the first week in February it is my intention to see which of the above venues can cater for us and make an appropriate booking.

Hoping that you can join us,

Martyn

Wednesday 1st January 2020.

A West Kirby Round.

Distance: 5 (Missing out Grange Hill) or 6.2 miles (Including Grange Hill). 

Climb: 100 (Missing out Grange Hill) or 250' (Including Grange Hill).

Start. South Parade, West Kirby. Grid ref: SJ214860. Park near the Life Boat Station and old Baths, towards the Southern end of the Marine Lake.

Leave Chester 09-30 a.m.

 High tide (27.3'/8.3m) at Hilbre is at 14-45, so trip to Hilbre isn't really an option, so I thought walking along the beach to Red Rocks as the tide came in would be the best choice.

 We will start the walk by going around the Marine Lake before heading across the sands to Red Rocks. The route will take us through the Royal Liverpool Golf Course and along the edge of Hoylake Municipal Golf Course before heading uphill to the War Memorial on Grange Hill. The planned route then heads down hill to the main road (A540). After crossing the road we turn right towards West Kirby centre and eventually picking up the Wirral Way through Ashton Park. After going round the lakes in Ashton Park we exit the park on the West side and follow the roads through the houses down to South Parade and back to the car.

Fortified fruit cake will be provided, so please let me know if you intend to walk so that I know how many pieces to bring.

Saturday 4th January 2020.

Please contact me if you want me to arrange a walk for this day.

Wednesday 8th January 2020.

Leasowe Lighthouse to New Brighton.


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 08-45 a.m.



Usually this is a walk along the beach to Perch Rock Fort, However this time, High tide is at about 09-3, 8.2 m, 27.0'. Although his is quite a low tide, we may have to walk along the promenade 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 last 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

Saturday11th January 2020.

Please contact me if you want me to arrange a walk for this day.

Wednesday 15th January 2020.

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 14-04, 9.4 m / 30.7'.

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 18th January 2020.

Hilbre Island.



Distance: 4-5 miles. Climb: 100' at a guess!



Start: South Parade, West Kirby Marine Lake. Park between the old baths and the Sailing Club at the Southern end of the lake Grid ref: SJ214860.

Leave Chester at 09-00.



WE often do this walk on  New Year's Day, but after looking at the Tide Guide, it looks like being a better option today. High tide is about 17- 00, so we should be able to cross the sands and have plenty of time on the island before returning.




 Bring binoculars, their should be plenty of Wintering birds to see and hopefully seals too.

Wednesday 22nd January 2020.

A Walk on Halkyn Mountain from the Blue Bell Inn.

Distance: 9-10 miles. Climb: 1000'.

Start: Common ground opposite the Blue Bell in, Halkyn. Grid ref: SJ209702.

Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m. 

This is a walk devised by Steve (the former landlord at the Blue Bell Inn, Halkyn. It covers much of our regular walk that we do called "Halkyn Mountain, Limestone and Lead". However this route takes us in a clock-wise direction and around Moel-y-Gaer before heading to Rhes-y-cae. It also takes us  around the North of the Pen-y-Henblas quarry - we have only seen the quarry from its Southern side.


Saturday 25th January 2020.

Please contact me if you want me to arrange a walk for this day.


Wednesday 29th January 2020.








Raby and Willaston.


Distance: 9 miles. Climb: 500', probably an exaggeration!


Start: Hadlow Road Station. Grid ref: SJ332773.


Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.


This walk combines two walks from Anthony Annakin-Smith's book "Wirral Walks". The two walks are  linked along minor minor roads and field paths. The walk passes a former racecourse pretty woodlands, the Wirral's largest windmill and even a Glow-worm site, not that we are likely to see one!


An easy walk, although at this time of the year, paths can be waterlogged!