Solo Walking and More.
Day 1:Tuesday 17th March 2020
The Saltney Round via Bridge Street.
Looking towards Higher Ferry from the riverside footpath on the south bank of the River Dee.
This was my first solo walk from my house, just 2.4 miles, but the weather around mid-day was just too good to waste by staying in all day!
Shortly after arriving home, some plants that I ordered months ago arrived, so I was forced to get the pots ready for planting them on Thursday when once more the forecast looks good.
Birds seen or heard included: Rook, Jackdaw, Blue tit, Mallard, Robin, Common blackbird,Greenfinch, Dunnock and House sparrow.
Day 2: Wednesday 18th March 2020
The Saltney Round via River Lane.
Saltney Riverside information board.
A reminder of chainmakers in Saltney.
Just a Common blackbird.
The first steel sculpure depicting plants.
The secondt steel sculpure depicting plants.
Looking towards Sealand Road from Higher Ferry.
Higher ferry fingerpost, but I doubt anyone has used it to know which way to go to Cardiff.
Higher Ferry Information Board.
House sparrow, one of many, around the hedges in Saltney Ferry.
Distance: 4.2 miles.
This walk was a little longer, extending the first one by following High Street and heading down River Lane to get to the river.
At the start of the walk there was a spot or rain or two, hence the rain spot on some of the photos.Thankfully it soon stopped and I finished the walk without getting wet. Overcast throughout, even when the wet stuff had stopped falling.
Still lots of people out walking, mainly those with dogs, but some solo walkers like me. There was one group of teenagers, all ignoring the social distancing directive. I dread to think what will happen next week when schools close officially for most students.
Birds heard or seen today included: Great cormorant, Woodpigeon, Goldfinch, Common blackbird, Blackbilled magpie, Collared dove, Dunnock, Lesser black back gull, Rook, European robin, Moorhen and House sparrow.
Sunset somewhere in Upton-by-Chester 19th March 2020.
Day 3: Thursday 19th March 2020
The Saltney Round, via Higher Ferry, Saltney Quay and Chester Golf Course.
One of many Rooks in a field North of Saltney Ferry Primary School.
A Greenfinch singing in a tree near Saltney Ferry Footbridge.
The view ahead.
Yet another steel plant sculpture.
No caption required.
The West end of Saltney Quay, showing the capstonand the last surviving pillbox.
Looking westward aover Saltney Quay.
Moel Famau from Saltney Quay.
The riverside path on the west side of the golf course stretching into the distance.
Looking over the racecourse towards Chester from the Chester Golf Course bridge over the railway.
Walk : Distance: 5.6 miles.
This was another good day for walking, mainly overcast, but at times it felt quite warm - if I had had my rucksack with me, I would have taken my jacket off and avoided the "boil in the bag" syndrome.
Evidence of Sp[ring was everywhere, lots of birds singing, especially Chiffchaff (the first that I have heard this year), emerging flowers, blossom on some of the trees an the hedges turning green.
A walk with varied views, but at times involves a little too much roadside walking.
Not so many people out solo walking today and no-one playing golf, though there was a good number of cars n the Chester Golf Club Car Park.
Birds see or heard today included: Herring gull, Goldfinch, House sparrow, European robin, Jackdaw, Rook, Common buzzard, Feral pigeon, Greenfinch, Black-billed magpie, Winterwren, Great cormorant, Woodpigeon, Chiffchaff, Blue tit, Great tit, Mallard, Oystercatcher, Black headed gull and Moorhen.
Upton Sunset.
Day 4: Friday 20th March 2020
Higher Ferry, Sealand Road Cop and Saltney Quay.
Looking West from Mold Junction railway bridge.
Looking towards Queensferry from the Higher Ferry Footbridge.
Looking towards Saltney from the Higher Ferry Footbridge.
A Reed bunting by the river near Bumper's Lane.
The pillbox and steps at the West end of Saltney Quay.
Goosander on the River Dee West of Chester Golf Course.
Catkins on trees next to the river near Sealand Road sewage Works.
A Grey heron near Sealand Road Cop.
Looking of the Roodee Racecourse from the footbridge next bto the railway bridge.
It is hard to see, but there are three Common buzzards in this pcture.
The Beluga XL about to go over my head.
The Beluga XL on it way towards Broughton.
More footage of the Beluga XL on it way towards Broughton.
The view along Saltney Quay with Hope Mountain in the distance.
Distance: 7.0 miles. on the move walking average: 3.0 m.p.h.
This was another good day for walking, brighter than yesterday but the wind made it feel a little cooler.
Disapointingly I didn't hear any Chiffchaff as I walked along the cycle path towards Sealand Road Cop, but I did see a Reed bunting and a raft of seven Goosanders.This was the first time that I have seen either of these birds on walks in this area.
The next surprise, was meeting an ex-colleage who I hadn't seen since leaving Upton High School over fifteen years ago.
As walked along the path through the Golf Course and was just leaving the Golf Course behind, I heard and saw a Chiffchaff, they obviously like this side of the river.
Another highlight of the day was seeing the Beluga XL flying over my head on its way to Broughton as I headed for Saltney Quay.
Birds seen or heard today included: Carrion crow, House sparrow, Collared dove, Rook, Jackdaw, Blue tit Great tit, Common blackbird, Woodpigeon, Mallard, Black-headed gull, Common gull, Herring gull, Oystercatcher, Reed bunting, Goosander, Moorhen, Winter wren Dunnock, European robin, Grey heron and Common buzzard.
Last of the Winter Walk at Erddig.
A Muddy day at Erddig - found not by me, but the Pelissiers.
Wood anenome at Erddig (20/03/20).
A Competing Grey heron somewhere in Cheshire.
A competing Grey Heron - by SP.
Day 5.
Saturday 21st March 2020.
Home to Queensferry and back using both sides of the river.
Pied wagtail on a roof at Mold Junction
Oystercatchers on the south bank of the River Dee.
Common redshank on the south bank of the River Dee.
Goosander on the River Dee.
The wind creating waves on the river.
Anothe pillbox on the river bank close to Queensferry Road Bridge.
Looking towards Hawarden Bridge, Shotton from the old Queensferry Bridge (Blue Bridge).
Selfheal in flower next to the Wales Coastal Path.
Approaching the Higher Ferry Footbridge.
Lesser celandine in flower.
The A380 Wing tug boat "The Arenig Fawr, but is it now reduntant?
Briefly a Skylark sings in competion with wind noise.
This memorial plaque is on the bench that replaced the seat people used to sit on as they waited for Bob Manifold to bring the ferry boat across the river to transport them back to the Chester side of the river.
Distance: 9.5 miles. On the move walking average: 2.8 m.p.h.
Another good day for walking but the Easterly wind was quite cooling, only occasionally did it diminish sufficiently to enjoy the warmth of the sunshine.
Birds seen or heard today included: House sparrow, Carrion crow, European robin, Pied wagtail, Lesser black back gull, Common gull, Common blackbird, Great tit, Blue tit, Long-tailed tit, Collared dove, Woodpigeon, Mallard, Common redshank, Oystercatcher, Black billed magpie, Goosander, Moorhen, Lapwing, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Balck headed gull, Herring gull and Skylark.
The highlights were seeing two Lapwings displaying over a stubble field, hearing a Chiffchaff singing and hearing two skylarks singing as they battled against the strong wind.
As I crossed the Higher Ferry / Saltney Ferry Footbridge , the wind became so strong it became quite difficult to walk in a straight line!
Not many walkers out today, one or two walking dogs, one mother and son, but lots of cyclists (most not compliant with the social distancing directive).
once again it was good to see a few more plants flowering and despite the cold wind a few large bumble bees ventured out.
Day 6: 22nd March 2020.
No walk for me today - stayed at home planting up some pots.
However Other members of the Group did get out.
Early morning walk today through the zoo bridleway to Caughill bridge over the canal.
Photo by Wendy and Ian P.
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