Hilbre and West Kirby Marine Lake 29th December 2021

One of about 8 Goosander on West Kirby Marine Lake.

We are not interested in the birds - need to be back by 1 p.m.

Is it windy or what?

Brent geese on West Kirby Marine Lake.

Crossing the sands to Little Eye.

Heading out to Little Eye.

Little Eye, Middle Eye (Little Hilbre) and Hilbre Island all in view.

The North wales Coast from Little Eye.

No seals we might as well go home!

Time for a snack in the shelter on Hilbre Island.

Last look at Hilbre Island from Middle Eye (Little Hilbre).

Waiting for ?

Moody skies over North Wales.

Looking over the West Kirby Marine Lake towards North Wales.

Walk stats: 

Distance: 6.0 miles. Climb: (980' wind assisted GPS reading). In reality about 30'.

Time: 2 hours 57 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.5 m.p. h. Overall walk average: 2.0 m.p.h.

Temperature: 13.2 Celsius.

Beaufort Wind Force: Max 5 (19.1 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Ian and Wendy, David S, Roger, Sue and Michel, Fran, Magnus and Sylvi.

This turned out to be a pretty good day for going to Hilbre, the wind assisted us on the way out, changed direction as we enjoyed refreshments and effectively blew us back to West Kirby from Little Eye.

Fruit cake was provided for all, I had packed a few extra pieces in anticipation of a few extras, so no-one was left out.

Only Fran and Magnus manaded to see any seals from the north end of Hilbre Island.

Birds seen or heard today included: Goosander, Common redshank, Brent goose, Herring gull, Oystercatcher, Shelduck, Carrion crow and Eurasian curlew.

Overall an enjoyable 6 mile walk to blow the cobwebs out of the hair (for those that have still got hair!).

We all headed home, another occasion when local hostelries missed out on our custom thanks to the current covid situation and governmental advice from UK and Welsh Ministers.

A pleasant 15 Celsius on arriving home, meant washing the sand / salty water from my boots and gaiters was almost a pleasurable experience!

 

Harris Hikers Dates and Walks December 2021

Remember Welsh Covid Restrictions still apply in Wales, so it is still important to bring face coverings in case we need to use them such as Public Conveniences (PCs), shops, on Public transort and Medical environments.

The Welsh Gobernment also wans us to wear face coverings in pubs and restaurants at al tmes except when we are eating otr drinking.

They also want us to take a lateral flow test before going out and meeting other people i places that are likely to be busy.

Similarly in England masks must be worn in Shops and on Public Transport or in taxis. This implies that we should as well, if we share cars.

Remember to let me know that you plan to walk so that I know how many route maps I need to bring and on special occasions how many pieces of fruit cake.

Wednesday 1st December 2021.

An Ancient Packhorse Trail Around Caergwrle.

Distance: 9-10 miles. Climb: 476'.
Start: Caergwrle Village Car Park on High Street. Grid ref: SJ305574
Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.
This walk is taken from R.J.A. Dutton's book "Hidden Highways of North Wales". This walk heads East via Bryn-y-Gaer, Shordley Hall, Town Ditch, Honkley Farm and eventually reaches the Golden Grove Inn. The return route is is via Burton Lane, Rackery Farm, Rackery Hall and Gwasted Farm. The walk includes drovers roads and a corpse road.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, Roger, Wendy, Fran, Sue and Michel (not walking David S, Nigel). 

Saturday 4th December 2021.

To be arranged on request.

Wednesday 8th December 2021.

Llanarmon-yn-Ial, Eryrys and Moel Gyw.

Postponed due to a very wet forecast.

Distance:10 miles; Climb:1800'.

Start:Pistyll Gwyn Quarry car park. 1 mile north of Llanarmon-yn-Ial. Grid ref: SJ189574.

Leave Chester at 9-00 a.m.

This walk uses two walks taken from Carl Roger's book "Walking in the Clwydian Hills". We have completed both walks before, but have never tried to link them together before. The Eryrys walk is described as exploring the lesser-known limestone hills separated from the main Clwydian ridge by the Alyn Valley. Views throughout the walk are superb! The second walk involves the ascent of Moel Gyw which also has superb views of the Clwydian Hills to both the north and the south. No doubt some of the group will be looking at the map to see if the walk can be shortened a little.

Those planning to walk: (not walking: David S, Sue and Michel, Fran, Wendy, Nigel, Martyn, Roger). 

Saturday 11th December 2021.

No walk planned - I'm going to my Godson's wedding.

Wednesday 15th December 2021.

Around the Little Orme to Rhos On Sea.

Postponed

See below for the replacement walk.

 Distance: 8-9 miles. Climb: 700'.

Start: Roadside parking next to Paddling Pool and PC on Coast Road at Craig y Don, East side of Llandudno. Grid ref: SH799821

Leave Chester at 08-45 a.m.or as soo as you can.

This has become a regular walk at any time of the year, but it will be the first time that we have done it in December. The views from the top of the Little Orme are always superb, but the main reason for doing the walk so early in the year is to see if there are any Seals around Porth Dyniewaid. I last visited Angel Bay last month and when we saw over 80 Grey seals.

Bring binoculars with you if you have them.

Low tide is about 08-00, (a small tide only 26.4') so we should have a good chance of seeing Grey seals on the beach.

As the tide should be well out for all of the walk, we should be able to walk along the beach, particullarly in Penrhyn Bay and maybe beyond.

Replacement Walk.

Christleton and the Roman Bridges.

Distance: 8 -10 miles. Climb: 500'.
Start : Car Park near Little Heath Pond. Grid ref: SJ443659
Leave Chester 09-00 a.m.
This walk was in the Country Walking magazine in 2006, and which we did in January 2010 with snow on the ground. This is a low level walk close to home, but is an area that we haven't explored much. we will probably extend the walk a little to include the Roman Bridges named after the way that it was constructed, rather than having anything to do with the Romans. The walk includes field paths, particularly in the area of Hockenhull Platts, but we may choose to avoid this and use country lanes instead. Gaiters recommended.
 The final section of the walk is along the canal from Salmon's Bridge through Waverton to Christleton.

We first did this walk in 2010 and last did it in May 2018.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, Roger, Sue and Michel, Nigel, Wendy (not walking: Fran, David S ). 

Saturday 18th December 2021.

No walk -  I  am meeting Ed for a festive pint.

Wednesday 22nd December 2021.

Burton and Parkgate.

Distance:10 miles. Climb:350'.

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.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, David S, Nigel (All driving independently,).  (not walking: Roger, Sue and Michel, Wendy, Fran ). 

Saturday 25th December 2021.

No walk.

Wednesday 29th December 2021.

Hilbre Island and More on request.

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.

High Tide is at 06-28 and is 25.9 m / 7.9 m, so it looks like being a good option today. We should be able to cross the sands following the tide as it goes out.

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

If desired the walk is easily extended to include Grange Hill and Caldy Hill (see 2nd October 2021 walk).

It is probably best if we all travel independently rather than share cars.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, Roger, Wendy and Ian, Sue and Michel, David S.

(not walking: Ed).

 

Birthday Greetings from Harris Hikers

 

Best wishes from Harris Hikers.

It won't be on your day, but we will make it to the top of Moel Famau one day in the near future.

Christmas Greetings from Harris Hikers

 Happy Christmas Everyone.

May you experience the Peace and Joy of Christmas.

Around Burton and More 22nd December 2021

Burton Church.

Socially distanced?

The Fairy Glenn on the Wirral Way.

Fallen tree removal on the Wirral Way.

Strange skies over Moel Famau.

A Common kestrel rest before hunting over the estuary marshes.

Wigeon on one of the flooded channels near The Harp at Little Neston.

Shoveler on Decca Pools.

Distance: 7.9 miles. Climb:450'.

Time: 3hours 45 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.6 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.1 m.p.h.

Temperature: 2 Celsius at the start. 6.2 Celsius (At lunch in a sheltered spot).

Beaufort Wind Force: 2 -3. Light to gentle breeze.

Arriving at the start on Station Road / Denhall Road, Burton it felt pretty cold and the wind made it feel colder still. Having lefty my woolly hat at home, I had to make use of the hood on my Paramo jacket for the first mile or so.

We should have taken the first entrance onto Rake Lane, but ended up taking the second one and rejoining the described route after taking the path through the church grounds.

We kept well to the right on paths through Burton Wood and onto Wood Lane.

Damaged fallen trees and power lines were on Wood Lane and later on the Wirral Way.

Lunch was taken in Stanney Field Park, where were were able to sit a wall / grass bank next to one of the paths near the stream.

Thanks to Nigel's wife, Elaine, we were able to enjoy home made mince pies before setting off on the last 2-3 miles of the planned walk.

Fruit cake was also provided, but everyone decided to take it home to eat.

Heading across the fields from the Wirral Way the Old Quay were could see Moel Famau backed by a rather strange  coloured light.

Birds seen or heard today included: Common buzzard, Carrion crow, Common kestrel, European robin, Common starling, Woodpigeon, House sparrow, Grey heron, Wigeon, Shoveler and Common redshank.

We arrived back at the cars having had a good enjoyable walk and had no more than a threat of rain to trouble us.

Unusual for this walking group, we all decided that the best option was head straight home, missing out on the usual celebration at a loccal hostelry.

Exploring the Greenfield Valley 18th December 2021

A Great spotted woodpeck, in trees next to the new extension to the Grenfield Valley Cycle Way.

The same Great spotted woodpecker on video I didn't realise I was taking.

Part of the extension to the Greenfield Valley Cycle Way (not yet completed).

The new extension to the cycleway section crosses the bridge over the main road on its way to the Heritage Park.

The remains of Basingwerk Abbey.

Machinery in the grounds of Meadow Mill.

Water cascading down the overflow from one of the upper pools.

Resting on the Mill Pool Dam.

Distance:3.5 miles. Climb:335'.

Time: 1 hour 35 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.4 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.2 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn and Ed.

The forecast had indicated that it was likely to be foggy / misty in the Holywell area, so it wasn't a surprise when it that cool damp feel. There was no chance of us overheating and winter wear coats were appreciated.

Much work has been done on the cycleway / track from Holywell to Greenfield, trees had been felled and several benches had beem installed - not that we took advantage of any of them.

The most impressive section was the extension of the track over the main road, but it wasn't clear how far towards the coast it would go once it was completed.

After a gentle srol past the abbey and the various mill pools we arrived at the Market Place ready to enjoy a pint and some food.

Birds seen or heard today included: Common blackbird, Mallard, Moorhen, Tufted duck, Little grebe, Mute swan and Great spotted woodpecker.

It was good to have Ed walking again, and hopefully it won't be too long before he joins the rest of us on a Wednesday walk.

Christleton and the Roman Bridges 15th December 2021

Arriving at the canal path (Baker Way) south east of Christleton.

Crossing one of the muddy fields on the way to the Roman Bridges.

The Millenium Cross on Plough Lane.

One of the Roman Bridges.

At the second Roman Bridge.

Cotton Farm Reservoir.

Beeston Castle in the distance.

"Lower Nigel!"

Tumbling water at the weir at Ford Bridge.

Reflecting on the site where DS nerly came unstuck!

Past exhibits at the Crocky Farm.`

Lunch time at Salmon's Bridge.

Shouldn't the one in the middle have fingers in both ears?

A last look at the Shropshire Union Canal at Christleton.

Walk stats: Distance: 9.9 miles. Climb: 230'.

Time: 5 hours 2 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.4 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.8 m.p.h.

Temperature: 14.2 Celsius (mid-morning in the sunshine). Beaufort wind force: 0 -1. Calm to light air.

Group: Martyn, Sue and Michel, Roger, Nigel and Wendy.

This was a superb day for walking, warm and sunny, justifyng my return to walking in shorts. 

As expected many of the field paths were muddy and / or waterlogged, but I didn't get too many complaints.

Lunch was taken at Salmon's Bridge over the Shropshire Union Canal, not the best spot for perching spots, but after 6,6 miles we were determined to make the most of what was around.

After lunch we had  pleasant stroll along the towpath back to Christleton. No overall demand for an extension, so we took the shortest route back to Little Heath Pond and our caes at the start of the walk.

Birds seen or heard today included: Mallard, Black headed gull, Great cormorant, Moorhen, Coot, Housesparrow, Common blackbird, Woodpigeon, Blue tit, Common chaffinch, Greylag goose, Mute swan Fieldfare, Common starling and European robin.

Arriving back at the car, Wendy presented us with chocolate cakes as it was her 21st birhday (again) earlier in the week.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Ring  o Bells in Christleton where Weetwod, Peerless and Spitting Feathers (Sozzled Swan) were sampled. Each of us tried different brews.

We headed home in the car, leaving Nigel to retrace his steps back to Upton and home.

 

Caergwrle and A Short Packhorse Trail 1st December 2021

The 17th century packhorse bridge over the Afon Alyn

Crossing the packhorse bridge over the Afon Alyn.

The information plaque about the packhorse bridge.

The Afon Alyn in spate.

The view towards Hope and the Padeswood cement work.

Wendy spots a way around the fallen tree.

One of a small flock of Ryeland sheep grazing in a field north of Caer Estyn.

Walking in the rain along Gwern Lane.

Walk stats: Distance: 4.2 miles. Climb: 560'.

Time: 2 hours 20 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.2 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.8 m.p.h.

Temperature: 7 Celsius (feeling cooler at times in the northerly wind, especially when wet through the rain).

Beaufort Bind Force: 1 - 3 (Light air / light breeze / gentle breeze, gusting to a moderate breeze).

Group: Martyn, Sue and Michel, Roger, Wendy and Fran.

The forecast wasn't brilliant, although the BBC was a little more encouraging with a suggestion that we woukld have light rain showers with a chance of sunny spells.

That wasn't good enough for Nigel and he preferred to stay at home.

When we set off it was dry, but it wasn't long before it started to rain, and just after passing Shordley Hall the rain was so heavy that some of the group said their waterproofs weren't as good as they thought they were, so it was agreed to cut the walk short and return to Caergwrle along the lanes.

at times the rain did stop and the Sun came out making us think "were we to quick to cut the planned walk short?"

Arriving back at Caergwrle it was one such occasion, so we decided to explore Caergwsrle Castle. Alas it wasn't to be as barriers were across the entrance of the path with a notice thety were there to ensure the safety of the people. A local sptted us from the nearby Spar Shop /Post Office and came across to us to inform us (using sign language / hand gestures) that trees in the grounds of the castle had been brought down in the recent gales.

We arrived back at the cars around 12-00, just bin time to do a road test on some of Aldi's special mince pies. Pretty good, but a little on the sweet side for me.

Some of the group wre feeling cold, so we decided to head straight for home, much to the disappointment of some who would still liked to celebrate even a walk as short as this with a pint of real ale at a local hostelry.

Birds seen or heard today included: Jackdaw, House sparrow, Woodpigeon, Common blackbird, Rewing and Fieldfare.

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