Ed's Welsh Wander.
Betws Yn Ross from Llanfair Talhaiarn.
Distance: 8.5 miles.
It looks like a challenge - who can capturethe best photo of a Hawthorn bush in blossom,
St Michael's at Betws-yn Rhos
Which is better?
More at a distance or a few close up?
An Early Riverside Round via the Roodee.
An early view of Moel famau from Saltney Ferry Road, Saltney Ferry.
Red valerian with Common ragwort on Mold Junction road bridge.
House martins around Saltney Ferry Footbridge.
Distant view of a Linnet at the old farm on Flint Road, Saltney Ferry.
The river is probably at its lowest, seen from Saltney Quay.
A Peacock butterfly - very reluctant to show its full colours.
The Roodee Racecourse from the footbridge next to the railway bridge.
The Dee bore is on its way!
The rising tide.
A singing Common whitethroat - disturbed only by cyclists ringing their bells and talking too loudly.
The rising tide, starting flood over the bank.
Distance: 7.8 miles. Climb: 172'.
Time: 3 hours 58 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.5 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.9 m.p.h.
I set off formy daily walk at 08-30, a little earlier than usual, in the hope that I would see the Dee bore as I was returning along the Wales Coast Path. In fact I did see it approaching from the vantage point of The Cop at Sealand Road. Unfortunately, it was so small that I decided it wasn't worth filming it.
My first surprise of the day was seeing a Linnet at the old farm buildings on Flint Road, Saltney Ferry, a good spot, almost as good as hearing the Cuckoo yesterday.
Initially as I headed along the Riverside Path from Saltney Ferry Footbridge towards River Lane, there were very few people about, one or two dog walkers and one jogger and no cyclists. Perhaps it was too early for them! However they had well and truly woken up by the time I hit the Wales Coast Path and one seemed be passing me every few minutes. Groups of cyclist often passed me, talking so loudly that they interferred with my enjoyment of listening to the bird songs.
One or two more butterflies out today, including: Small white, Orange tip, Peacock and Speckled wood.
Birds seen or heard today included: House sparrow, Common whitethroat, Collared dove, Goldfinch, Common starling, Common blackbird, Common chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Winter wren, Barn swallow, House martin, Mallard, Grey heron, Black headed gull, Lesser black back gull, Greenfinch, Woodpigeon, European robin, Black billed magpie, Oystercatcher, Common kestrel, Great tit, Blue tit, Moorhen, Carrion crow, Great spotted woodpecker, Blackcap, Jackdaw, Dunnock and Linnet.
As I have been going on these walks, it is quite noticeable hoe frequently Blackbirds hop out of cover of the hedge and start foraging on the path before retreating to the cover of the hedge as peole approach.
There seems to be a lot of Common whitethroat about, unless it is the same one following the same route as me. Anyway it is good to see them, especially when the often oblige by singing from the top of a tree.
Once again the rising tide was flowing quickly towards Chester and by the time I reached the Higher Ferry Footbridge, the tide had already started to flood the bank below the Wales Coastal Path.
Once again, I noticed that too many cyclist don't realise that they should be walking their bikes over the footbridge and forcing walkers to make way for them to cycle past.
Overall a very good enjoyable walk - probably one of the best routes that I can do from home.
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