Ed's Welsh Wander: Bryn Euryn Bimble 31st December 2020

A Bryn Euryn Bimble from Colwyn Bay Shops.

Distance:  5 miles

Bryn Euryn trig point and Clwydians with snow

Snow on the Carneddau

Bryn Euryn from Penrynside 

Happy New Year Everyone.

Ed

A Riverside Walk with an added Sealand and Hawarden Bridge Loop 30th Deceber 2020

A Riverside Walk with an added Sealand and Hawarden Bridge Loop.

Heading towards the sun over Queensferry.

Approaching the Blue (Red dragonBridge over the A494 Welsh Road.

Snow on the Clwydian Hills - seen from the Blue (Red dragon, Bridge).

A colourful Route 5 signpost.

Approaching the Blue Queensferry Road Bridge from Hawarden Bridge.

Hitching a ride in "windy" conditions?

Distance: 13.0 miles. Climb: 198'.
4 hours 48 minutes. On the move walking average: 3.0 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.7 m.p.h.
Group: Martyn.

I was in two minds as to whether to walk today, especially after the Chester Branch cancelled their walk, but at least i was walking from home so icy roads wasn't an issue.

I set off in my full Paramo winter gear, anticipating wintery showers and that's what I got. after an hour the rain, almost sleet at times was in my face, and I almost decided to head back for home. Thankfully I pressed on and after an hour of feeling sorry for myself, it cleared up and remained dry for the rst of the walk - at times it was even sunny!

This was the first time that I had explored the link from the Wales Coastal Path to the Hawarden Bridge to Chester Path /Greenway Cycle route that crossed the A494 Welsh Road via the Blue (Red Dragon) Bridge.

Although not planned, I ended up walking with a dog walker for quite a while on the Hawarden Bridge Loop, naturally keeping to the rcommended social distance all the time. He shared some interesting memories of his time working at the former John Summers Steel Works that we approached on this part of the walk. I even have another path to investigate in the future, although it is a there and back path on the north side of the river from Hawarden Bridge.

I don't know what wa happening in North Wales today, but I was surprised to see at least 4 private jets come into land at Hawarden Airport, no Beluga and only the Police Helicopert took off!

Birds seen or heard today included: Mallard Moorhen, Common blackbird, Collard dove, Woodpigeon, European robin, Goldfinch, Long-tailed tit, Common kestrel, Redwing, Fieldfare, Common starling, Grey heron, Great cormorant, Black headed gull, Herring gull, Black billed magpie, Pied wagtail, Grey wagtail, Commo chaffinch, Rook, Jackdaw, Dunnock, Winter wren and Carrion crow.

Overall an enjoyable walk, no stopping for lunch and ready to put my feet up when I arrived home!

Harris Hikers: Chester Branch Socially Distanced Walks and Dates December 2020

Chester Branch social distanced walks will resume again, starting on the 2nd December 2020.

Remember the Covid 19 restrictions mean that the Rule of Six is still in operation, and social distance kept even on the walk.
We will need to keep checking the Ramblers England web site for any updates on their advice for walking groups, especially on the day before the planned walk.

 Wednesday 2nd December 2020.

Another Walk from the Bickerton Poachers

David S will lead a walk from the Poacher going north towards Peckforton Castle.  It measures a little less than 8 miles but inevitably includes some ascents.

I must limit the number to six to be within the law, so if more than five confirm I will start a waiting list.  Let David S know your firm intentions by noon on Tuesday and he will confirm just after that. 

The six confirmed walking on Wednesday: David S, Fran, Nigel, Michel, Sue P, Mike.

Usual timing, leaving Chester at 0900.  We will need to go in separate cars.

 Wednesday 9th December 2020.

A walk from Gresty's Waste Car Park.

Start from Gresty’s car park Kelsall
Leaving Chester 9.15 am. 

Mike will be leading the walk.

will be about 8-9 miles with a climb of about 1000',

The route will visit Pale Heights, Blakemere ans explore parts of Delamere Forest as far as Manley Common.

some of the route may be off the main paths and you can expect some of them to be muddy, so gaiters are to be recommended.

Contact Mike and Martyn if you intend to walk.

The six confirmed walking on Wednesday: Mike, David S., Sue and Michel, Nigel., Fran,

Wednesday 16th December 2020.

No official walk planned.

Thursday 17th December 2020

However Fran plans to do a short a short morning walk  round the West Kirby Marine Lake. Contact her directly if you want to join her.

Leave Chester 09-15 am . 

Wednesday 23rd December 2020.

Is anyone in the group prepared to organise and lead a walk?

Wednesday 30th December 2020.

The Whitegate Way and Vale Royal Locks

Walk today cancelled.  

Expected Icy state of roads on way to car park.  

Messages on your phones.

Distance: 8 miles. Climb: 480'.

Start: Park at Whitegate Station SJ615680, Clay Lane,  Marton CW7 2QE

Off A54

Leave Chester in time to make a 10-00 start. Whitegate is about 15 miles away and takes about half an hour to get there.

From the car park it’s about a mile east along the old railway track before heading off left for a clockwise loop.  Two thirds of the route is along the Weaver Navigation and the old railway line so should be level and well surfaced.  What the bit across the fields will be like heaven knows.

The Rule of Six still applies and remember this is a socially distanced wak.

Let me know, David S with copy to Martyn, if you intend to join us.

Walkers so far:- David S, Wendy, Nigel, Michel & Sue, Mike (first six to sign up). 

Sorry, but any late comers will have to go onto a reserve list.

Reserve list: Celia.

Now that there is a reserve list, it is important to let the leader know if you find you can no longer make the walk.

2021 Walks.

It looks as though the Chester Branch can continue to walk together with the rule of six still applying.

I assume they will continue to take it in turns to organise and lead the walks.

The Taylors Spot a Kingfisher 24th December 2020

 The Taylors Spot a Kingfisher.

I knew there has been a kingfisher on the stretch of the Shropshire Union canal for a number of years near Caughall Bridge. Finally on Christmas Eve Elaine and I were lucky enough to see it and follow it for about 15 minutes. Elaine’s boss had seen it the previous day and took these amazing photos.

Ed's Welsh Wander - A Lidl - Conwy Mountain Round 28th December 2020.

A Lidl - Conwy Mountain Round.

Lidl Llandudno Junction over Conwy mountain down to Capelulo then back up to Maen Escob returning via footpaths to Sychnant. 9 miles with lots of climb.

Carneddau Ponies on Conwy Mountain.

Essential exercise in the air.

Old quarry wheel house on Conwy Mountain.

Llyn Y Wrach near Mean Escob.

Alpaca field a nice alternative to walking through a cow field.

20 cars were parked in Sychnant pass car park not sure how they can explain why they had driven there though. Dhould have taken a photo!

A Riverside Walk With a Thornleigh Park Loop 26th December 2020

A Riverside Walk With a Thornleigh Park Loop,

Looking towards Chester from The Riverside, River Lane, Saltney.

There is a Grey heron over there somewhere!

The track along Thornleigh Gutter leading to Deeside Lane and Thornleigh Park Farm.

The track and right of way leading toThornleigh Park Farm.

Horse play.

Friends again?

Moel famau from the Thornleigh Park Farm access track.

"I wonder when the Welsh Government will let me cross the border again?"

Distance: 6.4 miles. Climb: 417' (GPS Reading, but it was a bi on the windy side!), More likely arund 110'.
Time: 2 hours 16 minutes. On the move walking average: 3.2 m.p.h. Overall walk avertage: 2.8 m.p.h.
Group: Martyn.

The relatively good forecast encouraged me to go on a walk from home. Not too cold, dry but overcast and at times with a strong gusting wind.

Birds seen or heard today included: Mallard, Moorhen, Woodpigeon, European robin, Common blackbird, Collared dove, Woodpigeon, Black billed magpie, Carrion crow, Grey heron, Little egret, Black headed gull, Herring gull, Great cormorant, Great tit, Fieldfare, Redwing, Common starling, Pied wagtail, long-tailed tit, House sparrow and Raven.

Walking along the riverside path, north west of River Lane, a man on a disabilty scooter with two dogs was heading towards me. He stopped just infront of me, and then to my surprise he reached out with a "handy andy", really called a handy reach grab stick, picked up a piece of litter and put straight int a bin bag at his feet. His current bin bag was already pretty full and apparently he fill two bin bags a day, just in this area.  I thanked him for his efforts to keep the Saltny Riverside Path tidy, and left him feeling ashamed that all I do is just walk past the litter!

As a change, I decided to explore the footpath that went towards Thornleigh Park Farm and onto Ferry Lane, Higher Ferry

Approaching the farm house, I asked a man leaving the house, the direction of the footpath. He pointed out the official path, but then said, just go down the access track as the official path through the field which is waterlogged and muddy. The access track is marked as a path, but isn't a designated right of way.

On this walk a came across two people I new, one that used to live in the same street as me, and the other that I used to see on my Friday night visits to Ye Olde Cottage in Brook Street, Chester.

Overall an enjoyable walk and now able to add a slight variation to my "stay at home" riverside walks collection.

Harris Hikers Christmas Blessings 2020

 Happy Christmas Everyone. 

Enjoy it as much as you can.

God bless you all.

Saltney Riverside to Queensferry and Back 24th December 2020

Saltney Riverside to Queensferry and Back.

Looking towards Queensferry from the Saltney Ferry Footbridge.

Great cormorants resting on the wooden jetty near Sandycroft.

What's new on the Wales Coast Path?

Heading back to the Higher Ferry 

or 

What's new on the Wales Coast Path?

Distance: 9.4 miles. Climb: 80'.
Time: 3 hours 9 minutes. On the move walking average: 3.3 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 3.0 m.p.h.
Group: Martyn.

The weather today was too good to be inside, so just after 09-30, I set off.   Initially I had planned to go as far as the Sealand Pumping Station, but arriving there, the warm sunshine encouraged me to carry on as far as the Queensferry Road Bridge.  On this occasion, I decided to keep to good tarmac paths and retraced my steps back to the Higher Ferry Footbridge - just because I wanted to keep my boots clean.

Lots of people were out, walkers, dog walkers, joggers, bike riders and ues the odd lycra lout racer. It's amazing how many of them have bright coloured gear so that they can se them a long way off in front of you, but so few seem to have a bell or audible means of warning to let you know they are approaching from behind!

Wales is supposed to be in "stay at home" lockdown with all exercise starting and finishing at home, but the parking areas on both sides of the Saltney Ferry / Higher Ferry Footbridge were full as I went past just before mid-day. I suppose it is possible that all the drivers/passengers of these vehicles had disabilities that gave them a legitimate reason for driving to the start to take their exercise.

Birds seen or heard today included: Mallard, Moorhen, Great cormorant, Grey heron, European robin, Fieldfare, Common blackbird, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Pied wagtail, House sparrow, Rook, Black billed magpie, Woodpigeon, Collared dove, Dunnock, Black headed gull and Herring gull.

It was bright and sunny throughout the walk, at times feeling chilly in the northerly wind, my only regret was not wearing sunglasses!

If you hadn't spotted the "What's new on the Wales Coast Path", it is in fact the appearance of a new fence from the Sealand Pumping Station to the Queensferry Roadbridge, although there are stil gaps at each of the passing places.

Ed's Welsh Wanders Start Again Cefn Yr Ogof from Abergele 22nd December 2020

Cefyn Yr Ogaf from Abergele. 

Distance.5 miles.

The festive trig point on Cefn Yr Ogof.

St. Mary's Tower near Abergele.

Is that a blue trig point on Cefn Yr Ogof?

The festive blue trig point on Cefn Yr Ogof.

Snowdonia on the skyline.

Nadolig Lawen I Bawb

Merry Christmas Everyone.

Dates and Walks December 2020

Dates and Walks December 2020.

Group Walks are cancelled again!

The Coronovirus Restriction Situation in Wales has changed again, as of mid-night on the 19th December 2020 Wales is back in stay at home lockdown (level 4 Restrictions).

Wednesday 9th December 2020.

No planned walk - see Chester Branch Post for their planned walk.

Wednesday 16th December 2020.

No walk - see Chester Branch Post for their planned walk.

I would have planned a walk for today, but I have to stay in for my new cooker to be delivered and installed.

Wednesday 23rd December 2020.

However we will still have to keep to the recommended social distancing advice given by the Welsh Government if we walk in Wales and the UK Government if we walk in England. Our numbers may have to be limited as well. 

Wednesday 23rd December 2020.

Cancelled.

Wales will be in level 4 lockdown from 20th December 2020, so all 

Harris Hikers planned Walks must stop until the time the Welsh Government decides restrictions can be lifted. Hopefully this will be some time towards the end of January 2021.

Delamere Forest and Manley Common Revisited 19th December 2020

Delamere Forest and Manley Common Revisited (for some).

The Memorial Plinth at Pale Heights.

Blakemere Moss from Pale Heights.

Follow them, I've never used that path before.

Blakemere Moss through the trees.

Field paths to Manley Common.

Beeston Hill and the sandstone ridge on the skyline.

The downhill road to Manley Common.

Distance: 9.9 miles. Climb: 965'.
Time: 4 hours 41 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.5 m.p.h. Overall walking average: 2.1 m.p.h.
Group: Martyn and Mike.

This walk was very similar to the one Mike vled from Grest's Waste Car Park a week or so a go. However this tme we started at my preferred start poin for Delamere Forest walks, The Yeld Car Park.

We set off from the car park just after 09-15 and it didn't take long before we were at the cairn on Pale Heights. Even this early, ther were plenty of people out, walkers, dog walkers, joggers and horse riders.

We went round the eastern side of Blakemere Moss and had to stand and admire the many runners out on their "fun run" or more likely a more serious regular running club activity.

At this time of the year many of the tracks around Delamere Forest are somewhat muddier than I like and Mike was leading and he wasn't one for changing his route just because thee was a mid of mud in the way!

Lunch was taken t Manley Common, sitting on the same wall that the Chester Branch had pleasure in using earlier in the month.

On our return route, near the new Delamere Forest Bike Park, we encountered about twenty teenagers racing down the muddy tracks on bikes small enough for six year olds, filming themselves as they raced against each and attempted to pull up near the end. Thankfully they all avoided hitting us as we spoiled their fun briefly as we encroached on their "film set"!  They didn't to seem to mind as they joked with us as we went past them.

At eddisbury Lodge, we decided to avoid using the Sandstone Trail and in the end used a route that went via Grey's Gate and Yeld Lane. We also decided to  explore a path that went from The Yeld Farm around the west side of the wood  and back to the car park.

Not many birds seen or heard today, bu those we did included: Common blackbird, Common starling, European robin, Black headed gull and Wood nuthatch.

The weather today was better than expected, largely sunny, little wind, and a few sp[ots of rain (although Mike said he didn't feel any - is that a ign of getting older!)

Overall an enjoyable walk, even if I still have boots to clean when I get home!The onl thing missing was a celebratory pint at the Farmers Arms at Kelsall.

Rhuddlan to Rhyl Using Paths on Both Sides of the River Clwyd. 17th December 2020

Rhuddlan to Rhyl Using Paths on Both Sides of the River Clwyd.

Distance: .0 miles. Climb: 220'.
Time: 3 hours 44 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.9 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.1 m.p.h.
Group: Martyn.

Rainbow over Rhyl.

Views north west of the River Clwyd.

Lapwings taking off from fields west of the River Clwyd.

A Little egret on the flood embankment.

The Foryd Road Bridge over the River Clwyd.

Pont-y- Ddraig Harbour Bridge at Rhyl.

looking across the River Clwyd towards Rhuddlan Castle.

Tying bootlaces again - must have been modelled on a walker.

One of the wooden sculptures in Rhuddlan N.R.

I decided to take the path along the west side of the river from Rhuddlan, something I have avoided doing for the last few years as it always seems to be very muddy towards the Foryd end. Regrettably today was no exception, but thankfully there were plenty of puddles on the way back to get rid of most of the mud.

There were plenty of birds to see on the walk today including:- European robin, Common blackbird, Mallard, Fieldfare, Black-tailed godwit, Wigeon, Oystercatcher, Black headed gull, Herring gull, Great black backed gull, Black billed magie, Great cormorant, Lapwing, Eurasian curlew, Tufted duck, Goosander, Moorhen, Bullfinch, House sparrow, Little egret, Woodpigeon, Common kestrel, Greylag goose, Canada goose, Grey heron, Shelduck and Meadow pipit.

It was bright and sunny with a gentle breeze all morning, but started to cloud over by mid-day and a few spots of rain fell as I was sitting at the Brickfield Pond N.R. picnic site.

It did't last until I was about half a mile away from the start, when the rain was sufficiently hard to annoy anyone that has the misfortune to be weraig spectacles! 

The rain had stopped by the time I arrived back at the car, so I extended the walk a little by following the path into the Rhuddlan N.R.

Yet another enjoyable very flat walk.

Llanfairfechan, Aber-Ogwen and Abergwyngregyn 12th December 2020.

Llanfairfechan, Aber-Ogwen and Abergwyngregyn 

Brent gees offshore at Llanfairfechan.

Coast view from the Wales Coast Path west of Llanfarfechan.

Getting round the muddy waters approaching Afon Aber footbridge.

The mud slope barrier on the Wales Coast Path west of Cwrtiau.

Penrhyn Castle from the entrance to the Aber-Ogwen Coastal Car Park.

View of the coast from the Abergwyngregyn Road.

Another view of the coast from the Abergwyngregyn Road.

St. Bodfan's Church at Abergwyngregyn.

Distance: 12.3 miles. Climb: 394'.
Time: 5 hours 8 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.8 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.3 m.p.h.
Group: Martyn and Mike.

We decided to use the Wales Coast Path on our outward route from Llanfairfechan to Aber-Ogwen.

A cool breeze accompanied us at the start, but it didn't take long to warm up.

The tide was on the way out, so we didn't get many good views of waders and seabirds. but it started well with good views of Brent geese on the water near the shingle shore opposite Llanfairfechan boating lake.

Birds seen or heard included: Brent gees, Oystercatcher, Herring gull, Black headed gull, Great black back gull, Wigeon, Common redshank, Oystercatcher, Dunlin, Mallard, Mute swan, Housesparrow, Goldfinch, Blue tit, Great tit, Shelduck, Eurasian curlew, Common buzzard, Grey heron, Common blackbird, European robin., Rook, Jackdaw and Carrion crow.

We qarrived at the Aber-Ogwen car park to find it pretty full, mainy with vehicles used by the cocklers.

We used one of the picnic benches for our lunch spot, and were unfortunate to experience a light shower for about ten minutes, but not enough to stop us enjoying lunch.

After lunch we decided to take the slightly longer road route back to via Abergwyngregyn and Pentre-du.

the views across the fields towards the coast were superb, and the cocklers were so far out you could only just spot they were still working after 2 hours when we first saw them going out at about mid-day.

We arrived back at the car having had a good walk, but legs feeling well excercised and ready to enjoy suitable refreshment when we got home.