Keeping My Boots Clean on A Riveside Walk 21st January 2021

Keeping My Boots Clean on A Riveside Walk.

Balderton Brook from Stonebridge, Saltney.

Hope Mountain from the Saltney Ferry Footbridge.

Flooded fields south of Deeside Lane, Sealand.

A natural serpent wood scuplture by the river and left behind by recent high tides, but not natural colours!

Hint of a rainbow over the bridges.

Hope Mountain showing its coating of snow.

Fishing, but it can't be that good here!

The Thornleigh Drainage Gutter verflowing the pumping station.

Flooded field in front of the farm close to where I live.

The flood at the bottom of my garden, and the flooded school field beyond.

Distance: 9.4 miles. Climb: 1450' (wind assisted GPS reading) in reality about 88'.
Time: 3 hours 24 minutes. On the move walking average: 3.1 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.8 m.p.h.
Group: Martyn.

I had hoped today would be my first Winter walk in the snow, but it wasn't to be, when I got up this morming all the snow that fell last night had disappeared and could only be seen in the distance on Hope Mountain and Moel Famau.

Nevertheless the forecast for walking was a good one, sunny spells, but feeling cold in the strong wind.  The Met Office got it right, although the wind seemed nearer their prediction they gave for gusts.

In this wind, most birds seemed to be sheltering, but thos I did see included: Mallard, European robin, Common blackbird, House sparrow, Great tit, Woodpigeon, Black billed magpie, Black headed gull, Carrion crow, Rook, Jackdaw, Great cormorant, Black headed gull, Great black back gull, Herring gull, Common chaffinch and Pied wagtail.

After the heavy rain over the last few days, it was very obvious how saturated the local land had become, including my garden, St., David's High School Playing Field and local farm land. Balderton Brook was at the highest level that I have seen and the Thornleigh Park and Sealand Drainage Gutters were overflowing despite the pumping system trying reduce the level by discharging it into the river. 

Not so many people out today, a few walkers dog walkers, joggers and cyclist (some forced to walk with their bikes by the strong cross wind).

As I turned back at the Queensferry Road Bridge, the Sun felt really warm and gloves needed earlier could be left in my jacket pockets.

No Belugas today, only the Police helicopter returning to Hawarden Airport, presumeably to refuel.

Overall an enjoyable with mission accomplished - boots still clean when I got home.