Moel Famau, Moel Dywyll and Moel Llys-ycoed 31st March 2021.

Daffodils provided us with a guard of honour as we set off on our walk/.

"Come on get on with it!"

"What are you doing here?"

Mole Famau, no longer hidden by trees on the approach from Ffrith Mountain.

That's where the trees are.

The final approach to the Jubilee Tower on Moel Famau.

Martyn at the top of the Jubilee Tower with Halkyn Mountain in the background.

Ed at the top of the Jubilee Tower with Snowdonia in the background.

A Skylark serandes us over lunch.

A Beluga ST flypast.

A Peacock butterfly enjoying the warm sunshine.

Ed's surprising view of Moel arthur as we descended Moel Llys-y-coed.

Ed starting the final climb of the day across the northern flanks on Moel Llys-y-coed.

Distance: 7.6 miles. Climb: 1867' (and no wind assistance).
Time: 5 hours 24 minutes. On the move walking average: 1.9 m.p.h.Overall walk average: 1.4 m.p.h.
Beaufort Wind Force: Easterly. Mainly 0 (Calm) , gusting briefly to 2 (light breeze).
Temperature: max 22.2 Celsius (at lunch time.) 17.7 Celsius as wearrived back at the cars.
Group: Martyn and Ed.

This was the first opportunity for Harris Hikers living in Wales to go on a group walk (limited to 2!), so it was one we were both looking forward to and one ee would have enjoyed no matter what weather we encountered.

In the end, it was a perfect day for a walk, one to stroll enjoying watching the small lambs (the firs ones that I have seen this year), listening to the Skylarks singing andappreciating the fact that we were walking in beautiful countryside that we had been prevented from visiting since before Christmas 2020.

Birds seen or heard today included: Chiffchaff, Great tit, Common chaffinch, Greenfinch, Raven, Common pheasant, Meadow pipit, skylark, Common kestrel, Blue tit, and  Common buzzard.

The biggest surprise of the day, was seeing how much of Coed Moel Famau had been cut down, especially as we approached the Jubilee Tower.

Arrivin at the top of Moel Famau, there were several groups of walkers sitting around the tower enjoying the Sun. The prk Warden's vehicle was thee, but we didn't see him checking passports!

After a brif visit to the top of the Jubilee Tower for the view (none vexistent as the distant views were all very hazy) we headed down the Offa's Dyke Path, northward towards Moel Dywyll.

During lunch we were entertained by singing Skylarks, parachuting Meadow pipits and displaying Ravens. In addition a Beluga also did a flypast in both directions.

My only grumble today was two cyclists two on Moel Famau using footpaths not bridle ways, without them it would have ben a perfect walk - great to be able to walk in beautiful Wales without restriction and able to have conversations with someone you know.

This was truly a day when a nice pint of real ale was neededt celebrate having had such a good walk, but alas the White Horse in Clicain is stil not allowed to open under present covid-19 regulations.

An Upton - Christleton Round 31st March 2021

 

HARRIS HIKERS – CHESTER BRANCH

Walk Report Wed 31^st March 2021

 

The group before heading for  Manning Lane..

Walkers:

Fran

Wendy

Mike

Paul (first hour or so)

David S (leader)

 

8½ Miles; 200 Ft.; 4 Hrs.

 

The objective was to walk to Christleton Pond for lunch and then return by a different route.  This was achieved with the only variation being the addition of a loop along the canal at Christleton to avoid arriving at the lunch spot embarrassingly early,

The weather was warm and still, only the second warm day this year.

It was a reasonable restart to walking  after the restrictions of lockdown.

 

Photos attached.

 

Those who walked to the start can add 2-3 miles.

Connah's Quay Dock, Hawarden Bridge and the Dee Bore 30th March2021

One of he Wepre Riverside information boards.

One of three informative murials at the Wepre Riverside Car Park.

Boats tied up against the wharf, with the water well below the wall and not see unless you look over the wall.

At least one of the boats with its bow above the level of the water.

A colourful sign relating to Cycleway 5.

Scaffolding going up on the former Shotton Steelwork Head Office - about to be renovated and use as  Community facility.

The Dee bore is on its way.

The Dee bore arriving.

Still arriving.

The Dee bore getting ever closer.

The Dee bore arrives and goes past.

Not on the walk, but the latest flower to show in my garden.

Distance: 4-5 mile. Climb: 33'.
No GPS today, so the distance is the one on my mobile phone.
Tempeature max: 16.2 Celsius. Wind - minimal. Beaufort Wind Force: 0 gusting to 1.

Martyn and Jill.

This was the first oportunity of meeting up since just before Christmas, so meeting up outdoors at the Wepre Riverside was just perfect with bright sunshine, little wind and temperature in the mid-teens Celsius in the forecast.

The added bonus was a good tidal bore was expected around 11-00. With this in mind, we arrived about 10-15 and had a gentle stroll down to Hawarden Bridge crossed over the riveronto the Wales Coast Path and headed towards Queensferry Swing Bridge in the hope of finding an empty seat to sit on as we waited for the bore to arrive.

My preferred bench was already occupied by a cyclist, also waiting to see the bore.

The bore arrived on time, and as we watched, a cyclist (seen in the last video clip) said as he went past " it will be on Google Street tonight if this works" - pointing to a camara on a pole attached to the back of his bike.

The tidal bore was quite impressive, especially the rolling waves that followed behind the front edge of the bore.

Birds seen or heard on this enjoyable stroll included: Mallard, Canada goose, Black headed gull, Dunnock, Chiffchaff, European robin, Common blackbird, Blue tit, Great tit, Oystercatcher, Great cormorant and Moorhen.

Arriving at the quayside, the boats tied up were hidden from view, but by the time we got back, the water had risen so much that the tops of the boats were beginning to appear above the wall of the wharf.

We arrived back at the car park just after 12-00 when Jill left me to explore the rising tide along the wharf and eaded home - she had a better off this afternoonsand had to leave!

Harris Hikers Chester Branch Proposed Social Distanced Walks and Dates March 2021.

Group walks can once again can begin on 29th March 2021.

The change of restriction rules mean that upto six people can meet outdoors and limited travel will be allowed.

Wednesday 31st March 2021.

To be announced. 

A Group Walk Around the Environs of Upton.

Walkers so far:- David S, Wendy, Mike, Fran, Paul (first six to sign up - one places left ). 

Here is the plan for a starter walk on Wednesday.

A gentle walk to Christleton Pond for lunch.  Going by one route and returning by another.  It unashamedly uses part of Nigel’s October walk, but in the opposite direction, always a challenge!

Just under 7 miles and totally flat.  Can be extended by walking to the start point.

Meet at 09-30 on Greenfield Lane (the A41 service road) where it goes over the Cycleway.

Contact David S if you want to be put on the list of walkers.

If more than six people want to walk, sorry, but any late comers will have to go onto a reserve list.

Reserve list:

Harris Hikers Dates and Proposed Social Distance Walks March 2021

Withiin Wales we are now allowed to travel anywhere, but meeting outdoors is limited to two households (upto 6 people) or two individual.

Wednesday 31st March 2021.

Moel Famau, Moel Dywyll and Moel Llys-y-coed.

Distance: 8.0 miles. Climb: 1700'.
Start: Car park area West of Cilcain. Grid ref: SJ170652.

Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.

To get to the parking area, at the crossroads in Cilcain turn right (Westward), past the White Horse, Church and Village hall, at the end of a few houses on the right turn, left and the parking area is a few hundred yards further on on the right. 

This walk includes three hills along Offa's Dyke Footpath - Moel Famau, Moel Dywyll and Moel Llys-y-coed. The latter hill is not one of my favourite hills in the Clwydian range. It is the ascent from North to South that I dislike so much, the fact that we will be descending from South to North shouldn't be quite so bad!

Please let me know as soon as you can if you intend to walk.
I will then add your name of those planning to walk to this post.

To date those planning to walk are: Martyn and Ed.

We will all need to drive independently and keep to the 2m social distancing on the walk.

A Saltney Riverside, Greenway and Chester Canal Round 27th March 2021

Distance: 11.8 miles (9.1 with Roger). Climb:312'.

The short section of the Wales Coast Path used today.

Speedwell on the verge - possibly Germander speedwell.

The Millenium Greenway to Chester.

Only 3 mile to Chester.

Spot the Chiffchaff.

A wheel at Blqacon Station, that wasn't here the last time we came!

Primrose in flower - another iconic Spring flower.

Another camera-shy Chiffchaff.

Blackthorn in blossom.

The approach to our lunchspot at the canal basin.

Our last view of the canal before heading to the Riverside Promenade.

Broomrape - my last phto of the day.

Time: hours 5 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.8 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.3 m.p.h.

Wind: Westerly. Beaufort wind force: Mainly 2, but gusting to 4. Temperature: 12.1 - 14.2 Celsius.

Group: Martyn and Roger.

This was a good day for walking, yes a shorts day, no chance of overheating and it still felt better wearing a light fleece.

The birds seemed to be few and far between, except for the Chiffchaff that seemed to be calling every hundred yards or even less as we walked along the Greenway, and both of us can happily say we even saw several Chiffchaffs as well as hearing them.

Birds seen or heard today included: Mallard, Moorhen, Dunnock, Goldfinch, Common chaffinch, Common blackbird, Woodpigeon, House sparrow, Carrion crow, Oystercatcher, Blue tit, Great tit, Common buzzard, Lesser black back gull, Black headed gull, Great cormorant, Jackdaw, Feral pigeon, Black billed magpie and Raven.

It was good to see that a few more flowers were beginning to show and the blossom on trees is stll impressive.

Slower than usual today, but we did stop for quite a while talking to the current owner of Church Farm afer I said hello and asked him "which church was the farm name relating to?"

After learning quite a bit about the history of the farm, it wasn't long before we vwere on the Milleniuym Greenway heading towads Chester.

Lunch was taken at the Canal basin opposite Telfords Warehouse, wher we we grateful to be able to sit at a picnic table and be serenaded by a throbbing generator used by a nearby Canal Boat!

This walk was in the main a walk that we did in January 2010 with snow on the ground, although we did cut it short a little by heading to the Riverside Promenade in order to cross the railway footbridge over the river to Curzon Park. Alas the option to go to the Bear and Billet in Lower Bridge Street for a celebration pint under current covid-19 restrictions means all hostelries are currently closed.

Much has changed since 2010 and both the old railway track and canal towpath have been surfaced - alas now firt for cyclist as well as walkers!

Overall a very enjoyable walk with the only downside being the fact that my small bottle of hand sanitizer was no longer in my pocket when I got home!

Another Variation of The Saltney Ferry Riverside Circuit 24th March 2021

A Jet flypast.

A lonley male Mallard.

A Calling Chiffchaff and singing Skylark.

The re-instated footbridge over the Sealand Drainage Gutter.

The field path adjacent to the Sealand Drainasge Gutter on the way to the sealand shooting School (hoping to reopen on 12th April 2021).

Another example of "single use plastic" - preventing frost damage to plants and encouraging them to grow.

The Beluga XL 3 approaching Airbus, Hawarden.

A sound that usually confuses me, until I realise it is just another calling Chaffinch.

A European robin in the bushes near home.

Distance: 10.4 mils. Climb: 151'
Time: 4 hours 17 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.9 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.4 m.p.h.
Beaufort Wind Force: 2. Temperature: 9.8 - 14.2 Celsius.
Group: Martyn

Another really good day for walking, feeling quite warm and with only a light breeze - definitley a shorts day!

Birds seemed quiet today, although I did hear several Chiffchaffs and see a singing Skylark. Aircraft flying into Hawarden were quite numerous, starting with a training jet, two light aircraft, a Beluga XL and the Police helicopter.

Birds seen or heard today included: Mallard, Woodpigeon, Great tit, Dunnock, Common blackbird, Greenfinch, European robin, Pied wagtail, Common chaffinch, Goldfinch, Oystercatcher, Raven, Herring gull, Jackdaw, Chiffchaff, Skylark, Canada goose, House sparrow, Winter wren, Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Common starling, Black headed gull, Great cormorant, Feral pigeon, Black billed magpie and Common buzzard.

My route today, avoided the Wales Coast Path, except for about 200m so i came across very few people and even fewre cyclists.s However the latter did give me my biggest surprise of the day - four cyclists choosing to ride on the road rather than on the adjacent footpaths!

It was good to see the hedges starting to "green up" and a variety of blossom and catkins showing.

Overall an enjoyable walk, and home to find my lawn dry enough to give it its first cut of the year.

Once again it was a clean boots walk, always a bonus end to a walk.

Hopefully My Last Monday Saltney - Old Dee Bridge "Stay Local" Round 22nd March 2021

The view towards Chester from theThe Saltney Ferry Footbridge.

The Great crested grebe - "I couldn't get an appointment at the hairdessers!".

Another view if the Great crested grebe.

The Beluga ST 3 seen through the trees.

One of the four female Goosanders seen today.

A European robin singing in the bushes.

A Grey heron on the riverside near Nowhere.

The delightful bed of Daffodils on Castle Drive.

A Common blackbirds comes close. 

Canoeists at Chester weir - brings back memories from 1972!

Lesser periwinkles groing out of a wall on Curzon Park North.

Leaves starting to show on the Hawthorn hedge.

An unknown flower on the roadside on River Lane - probably a garden escapee.

Distance: 9.3 miles Climb: 142'.
Time: 3 hours 48 minutes. On the move walking average: 3.0 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.4 m.p.h.
Beaufort wind force: 2. Max temperature: 15.2 Celsius.
Group: Martyn.

A very pleasant day for walking, largely overcast with a light breeze in the morning and feeling very warm when the Sun showed its face from about 13-00.

Birds seen or heard today included: Mallard, Moorhen, Dunnock, European robin, Common blackbird, Greenfinch, Blue tit, Great tit, Long tailed tit, Goldfinch, Black billed magpie, Woodpigeon, Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Raven, Winter wren, Great cormorant, Black headed gull, Herring gull, Lesser black back gull, Oystercatcher, Common chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Common buzzard, Common pheasant, Grey heron, Goosander and Great crested grebe.

As a slight variation, I decided to return home along Boundary Lane and Sandy Lane, in so ding avoid the aromas coming from EPC on River Lane.

The star bird today was the Great crested grebe and for once there was only one male Goosander with four female Goosander, unless the other males were out of sight.

An enjoyable walk, but hopefully the last Monday walk completed under the Welsh "Stay Local" Restrictions.