The North Wirral Coastal Park and More 28th May 2022

Leasowe Lighthouse - open for tours on 5th June.

A Dunnock sings from a hedge next to Kerr's Field, Leasowe.

Free range chickens enjoying a scrat.

Looking towards Hoylake from the North Wirral Coastal Park.

Looking towards Leasowe from the North Wirral Coastal Park.

Sailing out of Liverpool.

The port of Liverpool on the skylone.

i was tempted to head for Cemlyn Bay to see the tern colony, but overslept and decided to head for the North Wirral Coast instead.

I was surprised how busy it was even more so when on my way back, I failed to find a place to park next to West Kirby Marine Lake.

Birds seen or heard on my gentle three mile stroll included: Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Herring gull, Lesser black back gull, Sedge warbler, Common blackbird, Great cormorant, Greenfinch, Chiffchaff, Winter wren, Black billed magpie, Stonechat, Barn swallow, House martin, Goldfinch, Woodpigeon, Canada goose and Skylark.

I did see a Common buzzard, but that was from the car as I went past the Shocklagh crossroads.

 

Harris Hikers Walks and Dates May 2022

Richard on the Little Orme in May 2010.

Richard gleaning (wild Gooseberrys) on the Halkyn and Cwm Conwy Walk  on 15th July 2010.

Currently the UK of Welsh Governments have changed their Covid rules / gudelines to Zero Level which means there are nor restriction in place as far as outdoor walks.

Remember some Welsh Covid Restrictions still apply in Wales, so it is still law to wear face coverings in health care situations, so bringing a face covering makes sense.

 Although it is no longer a law, you may also want to use them in places like as Public Conveniences (PCs), shops or on Public transort.

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.

Monday 2nd May 2022.

Moel Famau from Bwlch Penbarra,

Leave Chester at 12-30.

Walk 1

Distance: 7-8 miles Climb: 1720'.

Start: Bwlch Penbarra. Grid ref: SJ161605. (Pay and Display).

Route 1: Bwlch Penbarra, Clywyd Forest, Around Ffrith Mountain to Cae Newydd and the Clwydian way to Moel Famau and back to the start along the Offa's Dyke Path.

Walk 2.

Distance: 9-10 miles. Climb: 2000'.Start: Bwlch Penbarra. Grid ref: SJ161605. (Pay and Display).

Route 2.

Bwlch Penbarra, Clywyd Forest, Around Ffrith Mountain to Cae Newydd, then follow the path south west past the fishing reservoirs to join Offa's Dyke on the north west side of Moel Dywyll. Offa's Dyke is then followed over Moel Famau and back to the start.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, Ed, Mike . 

(Those not walking: ) 

Wednesday 4th May 2022.

The original walk for today has been cancelled as many of the group will want to go to the Funeral of Richard Green, who walked with the group for many years from 2006 until illness prevented him from doing so.

The funeral is at Blacon Crematorium at 12-40, followed by nibbles at Telfords.

If you plan to go, can you please contact Fran, so that she can let Simone know how many there will be.

Saturday 7th May 2022.

Around Cwm Ceirw.

Postponed - Billy no mates again.

Distance:8-9 miles.

Climb:2000+' at a guess.

Start: Car Park in Cerrigydrudion. Close to the garage on the left approaching the village from the Ruthin road.

Grid ref: SH954488.

This walk is taken from Dave Berry's book "Walks around Hiraethog Moors and Lakes".

He describes it as a walk exploring the the remote hills and valleys between Cerrigydrudion and Llangwm.

If time allows I would like to investigate a possible parking area on the A5 just down the road near Glasfryn. It is a layby on the left just before a garage and before entering the village at Grid ref: SH917502. If this parking area is OK then there are another a couple of good walks that start from Glasfryn that we can do.

Leave Chester at 9-00 a.m.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, . 

(Those not walking: Ed, Mike) 

Wednesday 11th May 2022.

Gronant, Coed Bell, Voel Nant and Around Talacre Abbey.

Distance:9 miles.

Climb:1250'

Start: Gronant Dunes Car Park on Shore Road, Lower Gronant. This is off the Coast Road (A548), signposted Presthaven Sand and Gronant Sand Dunes. Grid ref: SJ090837.

This is a walk Ed and I did last year at the end of April and were impresed by the display of Bluebells, so naturally we had to include in this year's Bluebel Wood Walks.

he walk explores the low hills at the northern end of the Clwydian Hills. The final part of the walk takes past Home Farm near Talacre Abbey and then descends to the coast via Tyn-y-Morfa. If time and legs permit, we can make a short detour to visit Big Pool Nature reserve.

Leave Chester at 9-00 a.m.

Those planning to walk: Martyn,Ed, Sue and Michel, Nigel . 

(Those not walking: Mike, Fran) 

Saturday 14th May 2022.

Moel Faban, Llefn, Gyrn and Felin Fawr.

Distance:9-10 miles.

Climb:2200'

Start: Top car Park, Bethesda. Grid ref: SH62356681

This is a completely new walk for me, but is a walk that Ed found in a book. 

The first part of the walk explores the attractive upland landscape north east of Bethesda, and includes three outlying hills.

The second part of the wal explores the area south of Bethesda and includes part of the historic Felin Fawr Works and the Las Ogwen Recreational Trail.

Leave Chester at 8-00 a.m.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, Ed. 

(Those not walking: Mike) 

Wednesday 18th May 2022.

Coed Pen-y-Gelli and More.

Distance:9-10 miles. Climb:700’.

Start: Roadside parking at Lloc. If approaching from Holywell on the A5026, turn left by the public house (now a private house) into St Asaph Road. Park in left. If approaching on the A5026 from its nearest junction with the A55 (Prestatyn junction), Turn right in front of the public house (now a private house) into St Asaph Road. This is just after the the Pant Y Wacco sign and the road starts to bear left. St Asaph Road is one way and can only be approached from then A5026.
Grid ref:SJ145765.
Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m. This is one of our annual Bluebell Wood walks. It is a figure of eight walk based on Lloc. he walk includes parts of two walks taken from Dave Berry's booklet " Walks Around Holywell and Halkyn Mountain."

Those planning to walk: Martyn, Ed, Nigel, Fran. 

(Those not walking: Mike, Sue and Michel ) 

Saturday 21st May 2022.

Tegg's Nose and Macclesfield Forest.

This walk will be changed to Saturday 4th June 2022.

Looks like I am Billy no mates again,

so I will take a walk along

the Gronant Dunes NR to see the Little terns.

Distance: 9 miles. Climb: 1000'. Start: Tegg's Nose Country Park Car park. Pay and Display. Grid ref: SJ950732.Leave Chester at 08-30 a.m.

This walk is taken from the "Pathfinders Guide to Cheshire". It is described as a varied

walk with good views from Tegg's Nose.

We will visit Tegg's Nose first, rather than at the end of the walk. The walk is also described

as an undulating walk exploring the countryside on the edge of the Peak District.

This is a walk that we have come to like and regularly appears on the list at this time

of the year.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, . 

(Those not walking: 

Ed) 

Wednesday 25th May 2022.

A Bluebell Wood Walk Around Whitford

Maen Achwfan, Llyn Helyg, Crown Bach and Coed Pen-y-Gelli.

The Bluebells are  past their best, so a new walk will replaces this one.

See below for the new walk.

Distance:9-10 miles.  Climb:1000’.

Start:Roadside parking opposite the church in Whitford. Grid ref:SJ147782.

Leave Chester 9-00 a.m.

This is a Bluebell Woods walk we first did in 2011. We will take a few short cuts to reduce the walk to about 8 miles.

The walk starts off by using one of the walks in Dave Berry’s book “ Walks Around Holywell and Halkyn Mountain. We have completed this one several times, including visiting the beautifully carved Maen Achwfan.  However this time we include exploring two new woods, Glol and Llyn Helyg woods.  Hopefully we will return through Crown Bach woods to Lloc and then return to Whitford via Twll Bach.

New Walk 

for 

Wednesday 25th May 2022.

The Little Orme and Coed Gaer.

Distance: 8 miles. Climb: 800'.

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

Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.

This has become a regular walk at any time of the year, but at this time of the year. When we did this walk last year we did see see Seals around Porth Dyniewaid, so hopefully they will be there this year as well.  The views from the top of the Little Orme are always superb. This is always an enjoyable walk whatever time we do it.

As the Bluebells are on the way out, orchids are starting to show, and thee often good displays of orchids on the limestone slopes north west of St., David's College.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, Sue and Michel,

(Those not walking: Ed, Nigel, David S.)

Saturday 28th May 2022. 

Llugwy and Lledr.

Postponed - not takers today!

Distance: 8-9 miles; Climb: 1000'.

Start: Railway station car park in the centre of Betws-y Coed. Grid ref: SH795565.
Leave Chester at 8-30 a.m. (It takes about 1 hour 10 minutes from Saltney)
This is another walk taken from Dave Berry's new book "Walks Around Betws-y-Coed and the Conwy Valley". This walk links the beautiful wooded Llugwy and Lledre Valleys. It takes in Sarn Helen, the former Roman Road, and reaches over 800' before descending in to the Lledre Valley. It involves a steep climb to Llyn Elsi or at least that is what Dave Berry says!
The last couple of times I have done this, the weather has not been kind, but hopefully it will be better at this time of the year.

This will be the first time that some of us will cross the new replacment Miners Bridge.

Those planning to walk: Martyn . 

(Those not walking: Ed, Mike ) 

The Little Orme and Coed Gaer 25th May 2022

Only two onkeys in the field below the Little Orme.

The Little Orme from the donkey field.

Looking across the field towards Penrhyn Bay.

The Great Orme from the trig point on The Little Orme.

The line of the incline down to the quarry.

Early prple orchidsin the upper section of the quarry near the start of the incline.

The first of the Grey seals seen in Angel Bay.

The second Grey seal seen in Angel Bay.

The third Grey seal seen in Angel Bay.

"Are you listening?"

A Fulmar nesting on the cliffs in the Angel Bay Quarry.

Rock roses near our lunch spot.

Welsh poppies in Nant-y-Gamor.

The Great Orme from the path west of Coed Gaer.

Walk stats: Distance: 7.6 miles. Climb: 1542' (wind assisted GPS reading).

time: 4 hours 35 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.0 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.6 m.p.h.

Temperature: 20.2 Celsius at lunch. 16.8 Celsius as we arrived back at the car.

Beaufort Wind Force: 3-5. Gentle breeze, gusting to a Fresh breeze on the top of The Little Orme.

As we arrived at the start, it felt much cooler than the 17 Celsius on the car thermometer, so we all set of with fleeces or waterproof jackets on, but these were soon discarded when we arrived in the quarry at Angel Bay.

The wind on The Little Orme must have been over 20 m.p.h and those wearing hats were challenged to keep them in place.

We were fortunate to see orchids in the upper quarry before descending the incline to the lower quarr and Angel Bay.

This isn't the best time of the year to see Grey seals in Angel Bay, but we did briefly see three swimming in the bay.

Lunch was taken on a limestone outcrop near to Nant-y Gamor.

We usually decribe woods as Bluebell Woods, but today Nanty-Gamor should be describes as a Welsh Poppy Wood after the number of Welsh poppies that were in bloom adjacent to our path through the wood.

Birds seen or heard today included: Herring gull, Fulmar, Chiffchaff, Common chaffinch, Common pheasant, Jackdaw, Greenfinch, House sparrow, Winter wren, Common whitethroat, Great cormorant, European robin, Goldfinch, Blue tit, Dunnock and Common blackbird.

Flowers seen today included: Common daisy, Dandelion, Rock rose, Buttercup Early purple orchid, Bird's foot trefoil, Plantain, Ox-eye daisy, Welsh poppy, Red campion, Herb robert, Thrift, Red clover, Bloody crane's-Bill, Red and white valerian and Common Field Speedwell.

We arrived back at the car, feeling a little weather / wind beaten, but happy that we still able to have enjoyed a good and varied walk.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at te Blue Bell Inn at Halkyn where the Lees Bitter went own well.

Gronant Sand Dunes and More 21st May 2022

Flag iris on the banks of Prestatyn Gutter.

Orchid in Gronant Sand Dunes Nature Reserve.

Marsh Orchid in Gronant Sand Dunes Nature Reserve.

Skylark inGronant Sand Dunes Nature Reserve.

One of the Little terns at Grontant Little tern colony.

Little terns at Grontant Little tern colony.

Little terns at Grontant Little tern colony.

Skylarks singing in Little terns at Grontant Sand Dunes Nature Reserve.

Skylarks singing in Little terns at Grontant Sand Dunes Nature Reserve.

Looking towards the Point of Ayr Lighthouse from the Little tern Hide.

Looking towards Prestatyn from the Gronant Sand Dunes.

It's always good to see and hear the sound of the sea - here at Barkby Beach, Prestatyn.

A Dandelion getting ready to send its offspring out to colonise the neighbourhood.

Poppies on the roadside on the way to Prestatyn Golf Course.

Common mallow on Shore Road, Gronant.

Walk stats:

Distance: 4.8 miles. Climb: 230'.

Time: 2 hours 48 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.2 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.7 m.p.h.

Beaufort Wind Force: 1 - 3. Mainly a light breeze, but rising to a gentle breeze as I approached Prestatyn ann returned through the golf course.

Max temperature: 20.2 Celsius.

Group: Martyn.

With no other Saturday walkers around, I was tempted to enjoy exploring once again the environs of Halkyn Mountain. but the chance to visit the Little tern colony at Gronant won out.

It was a good decision, and even better when I found there was a small hide overlooked the colony that you could visit. 

I arrived quite early, so I had the hide to myself. Lots of Little terns about, some returning with their catch, but trying to spot them once they had landed on the pebble beach wasn't easy.  I was informed that there were currently over 300 Little terns around, although I didn't see that many.

Skylarks seemed to everywhere, in the sky singing and on the ground, especilly near the path the the observation hide.

There seemed plenty of Common swifts around as well, the first that I have seen this year.

It was good to see the orchids showing, not easy to see if they were Southern or Northern March orchids.

Birds seen or heard today included: House sparrow, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Common blackbird, Chiffchaff, Cetti warbler, Sedge warbler, Reed bunting, Common coot, Mute swan.Mallard, Meadow pipit, Skylark, Great cormorant, Stonechat, Herring gull, Carrion crow, Common whitethroat, Jackdaw, Rook, Lesser black back gull, Oystercatcher, Barn swallow, House martin, Common swift and Little tern.

The Sun only came out as I arrived back at the car, so the temperature throught my walk was very pleasant and I didn't have to resort to getting my sunhat out of my pocket and I still had plenty of liquid left in my "hydration puch".

Nevertheless seeing and / or hearing so many birds and seeing so many flowers required a celebration pint of Lees Bitter at the Blue Bell Inn at Halkyn.

 

Coed Pen-y-Gelli and More - A Bluebell Wood Walk 18th May 2022

.First sign of Bluebells in Coed Allt-y-tywod.

Bluebells in Coed Allt-y-tywod.

Bluebellson both sides of the path in Coed Allt-y-tywod.

Blue skies above the Dee Estuary.

A young bullock comws to investigate.

Bluebells in Coed y Garreg.

!elevensies" at the tower in Coed y Garreg.

An Early purple orchid near Ffordd Las.

Bluebells on CoedPen-y-Gelli.

Moel Famau from the path south of Gorsedd.

On the road to Gorsedd.

Looking at the info at the Gorsedd lime kiln.

Walk stats: 

Distance: 9.2 miles. Climb: 965'.

Time: 4 hours 55 minutes. On the move walking averae: 2.2 m.p.h. Overall walk aveage: 1.8 m.p.h.

Temperature: 22.2 Celsius at lunch. Max - 24.2 Celsius as wee approached Gorsedd.

Beaufort Wind Force: 0 - 3. Mainly light breeze, reaching a gentle breeze towards the end of the walk.

Group: Martyn, Nigel, Fran and Ed.

This was the second of our Bluebell Wood Walks, but having seen that the Bluebells at Burton Mere a week ago were all past their best, we set off, hoping that the recent rain showers would revive them a little.

We did see plenty of Bluebells, but as expected, most had started to fade. Nevertheless walking through Coed Allt-y-tywod, Coed y Garreg and Coed Pen-y-Gelli all displayed impressive pale blue expanses of Bluebells between the trees.

It was good to see plenty of flowers in the woods and along the roadside verges, inccluding a few spikes of Early purole orchid.

The surprise of the day was seing a large section of Coed y Garreg felled and looking quite sorry for itself.

Birds seen or heard today included: Willow warbler, Chiffchaff, Woodpigeon, Collared dove, House sparrow, Mallard (including five ducklings), Song thrush, Winter wren, Dunnock, Jackdaw, Common buzzard, Common chaffinch, Carrion crow and Common blackbird.

Lunch as taken in the usual place at Coed Pen-y-Gelli Nature Reserve.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Bluebell Inn at Halkyn, where the Lees Bitter and Facer's DHB went down well.

Moel Faban. Llefn. Gyrn, Felin Fawr and Lon Las Ogwen 14th May 2022

The high tops of Snowdonia above the houses of Bethesda.

A row of cottages on the road to Moel Faban.

The wide track to the summit of Moel Faban.

On the summit of Moel Faban, heading for Llefn.

Wild ponies on the lower slopes Llefn.

One of man Stonechats seen today.

A head start on Gyrn.

At the summit shelter on Gyrn.

The impressive sheepfolds below Gyrn with the Carneddau on the horizin.

Looking northwards down the narow pass between Llefn and Moel Faban.

Bangr Pier and Penrhyn Cstle from the track on the north side of Moel Faban.

Another Stonechat.

The wide track, an old tramway, on the south west side of Moel Faban.

The Afon Ogwen on the way to Felin Fawr.

One of the slate quarry spoil heaps near the Felin Fawr Works.

Moel Faban, Llefn anf Gyrn from the Lon Las Ogwen Trail.

One of the waterfalls on the Afon Ogwen below Pont Ogwen.

Bluebells in Braichmelyn Woods.

On the road to Bethesda.

Walk stats:

Distance: 10.0 miles. Climb:2064.

Time: 6 hours 17 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.0 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.6 m.p.h.

Temperature: Max 24.2 Celsius. Min 17.2 Celsius.

Beaufort Wind force: Mainly 0 -1 Calm /light air, but briefly reached 2,a welcome light breeze.

A superb ay weatherwise, although distant views were somewhat hazy and the very high tops never seemed to clear completely.

Birds seen or heard today included: Willow warbler, Common chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Swift, Barn swallow, Stonechat, White wagtail, Stonechat, Meadow pipit, Skylark, Common whitethroat, House sparrow, Common blackbird, Wheatear, Cuckoo and Ring ousel.

We were surprised how many people were out walking in these outlyng hills of the Carneddau, but not everyone chose to visit the three hill summits that we did.

As we descended Gyrn towards the sheepfolds, I tripped over the remains of a gate/fencing, falling on my front - with a heavy rucksack trying to keep me prostrate, it was a challenge to get back on my feet.  No major damage done, just bruised ribs.

Lunch was taken at the end of the narrow pass between Llefn and Moel Faban. We had good hazy  views of towards Bangor Pier Penrhyn Castle and the Menai Straights.

As we had lunch we heard the approaching thunder of hooves and two fine stallion wild ponies raced past us along the track below us. Thankfully they didn't do this when we are on the track.

As we left the hills towards Bethesda, the route description wasn't as clear as it should be, and the schematic map and description didn't match (we should have followed the schematc map and turned left not right as in the riute descrition).  However we eventually found ourselves back on High Street, Bethesda, ready to embark on the Felin Fawr part of our walk.

This walk wasn't exactly the the highlight of the day, although we did come up close with slate spoil heaps, reminding us of the reasons why Bethesda was built here.

It was warm that we took the advantage of  bench in the shade near the Pont Ogwen bridge waterfall and too on board some extra liquid.

After this mid-afternoon rest, we started to see Bluebells on either side of the path as we climbed through Braichmelyn Woods. They weren't at their best, but they like me may have suffering from too little water on this very warm day.

On arriving at the road, we decided that the best option was to head straight back to the Bethseda and leave the rest of Felin Fawr Walk A to another day.

Arriving back the car, I finished off the remaing liquid i  my flask before setting off. I was now looking forward to sampling Lees Bitter at the Bluebell Inn in Halkyn.  An excellent bitter, that tasted even better as I drank soe of my take away as I watched Liverpool eventually win the penalty shoot out in the FA Cup Final match against Chelsea.

The Gyrn walk was quite varied and very enjoyable. I am sure this part of the walk will be repeated again, despite the grassy slope up Llefn being steep and challenging (Hopefully we will find a less steep slope next time,