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When? Started: 1993 Who? Started with staff and friends from U H S, Chester. Organiser: Martyn Harris We walk every Wednesday and Saturdays, New Years day and May Day. How many walk? Walks take place as long as there are at least 2 wanting to walk on that day. More walk on a Wednesday than on a Saturday. Most ever: 29. Current group size walking: 2-7 in mid-week and 2-4 on Saturday. Where do we walk? Saturday: Anywhere in North and Mid-Wales, Peak District, Shropshire and the Long Mynd and as far North as the Trough of Bowland. Thursday: Anywhere within about 40 miles of Chester. Type of walk: Distance: 6 – 14 miles (but usually under 10 miles). Climb: up to 4000’ (but usually very much less!). People involved on walks in 2024:- Martyn Harris, Fran Murphy, Sue and Michel Pelissier, Mike Dodd, David Savage,, Ed Meads, Nigel and Elaine Taylor, Winston Feather.

Friday, 29 September 2023

Walks and Dates September 2023

Latest Information About Harris Hikers from 23rd March 2023.
After much discussion between group members, those present decided to follow DS’s suggestion that “Short walks with an option of a meal at a nearby venue” should take place on the fifth Wednesday in a month, and members of the group would take it in turns to plan the walk and venue.
There are only two such Wednesdays left in 2023, 
November 29th*.
It was also agreed that Wednesday Walks should in the main be walks of around 8 miles with no more than about 1200’ of climb. If proposed walks exceed these suggestions routes should have obvious short cuts to reduce distance and / or climb involved.
It was also agreed that each month a different member of the group should plan the walk.
This walk should be for the Wednesday in the month and that would include the “Short Walk and Meal Option” on the fifth Wednesday.
In order to include that walk in the monthly “Dates and Walks Post", details of the walk need to be sent to me by 15th of the previous month.
Wherever possible I would like people to let me know of their intention to walk or not to walk by Monday afternoon/early evening prior to the walk on Wednesday. There isn’t an issue with last minute cancellations for any reason. This happens anyway when adverse weather is forecast at the last minute.no
Where the “Short Walk and Meal” is concerned, the person planning the walk and meal should be contacted directly and informed of theirr intentions as soon as you have made your decision.
Saturday 2nd September 2023.
Abergele and Moelfre Isaf.
Distance: 9.0 miles. Climb:1250'.
Start: Pensarn Beach Car Park. Grid ref: SH944787. Park near the PC block as we will be heading South towards the centre of Abergele.
Leave Chester at 08-30 a.m.
Abergele and Moelfre Isaf.This walk is by Debbie Hamelton and starts in the centre of Abergele, but we will start on the coast. This will extend the walk by about 2 miles. The main walk is described as exploring the beautiful North Wales countyside South of Abergele. The outward route passes a well preserved watch tower.
Those planning to walk: Martyn, . 
Those not walking:  Mike.
Wednesday 6th September 2023.
Lady Bagot's Drive and More.
Postponed - too hot temperatures in high twenties from mid-day onwards.
Distance: 8 -10 miles. Climb: 600'.
Start: Ruthin Craft Centre Car park (free) on Lon Parcwr (4th turning off the roundabout if approaching from Mold/Chester. It is opposite Tesco). Grid ref: SJ125586
Leave Chester 9-00 a.m.
Those planning to walk: Martyn,  Nigel, Ed.
Those not walking: Mike, David S., Fran Sue and Michel 
This walk is adapted from two walks from Dave Berry's book "Walks in the Vale of Clwyd".  We have completed this walk many times before in all sorts of weather conditions. Conditions underfoot have been particularly challenging after lots of rain and the Afon Clwyd is in spate.  In the past we have seen Kingfishers and Salmon jumping the weir, seeing either again would be nice.
Saturday 9th September 2023.
Mynydd Marian and More.
Postponed - too hot and  humid for me!
Distance: 7-9 miles. Climb: 1100'.
Start: Llandulas Beach Car Park. Grid ref: SH907786.
Leave Chester at 08-30.
This walk is taken from Dave Berry's book, "Walks on the North Wales Coast". It combines an interesting section of the coast line with the attractive limestone countryside between, Old Colwyn, Llysfaen and Llandulas. This is one of my favourite walks, but the walk today wil allow us to see how much work has been done on the sea defences from Old Colwyn to Colwyn Bay.
Those planning to walk: Martyn, 
Those not walking: Mike.
Wednesday 13th September 2023.
Around Bryn Alyn and Eryrys.
Distance: 8 miles. Climb: 1400'. 
Although the distance will probably be reduced by taking a few short cuts.
Start: Layby on the A494 Mold to Ruthin Road, about 1/2 mile South of Llanferres. Grid ref: SJ187597.
Leave Chester 09-00 a.m.
Those planning to walk: Martyn, Mike, Sue and Michel. 
Those not walking: David S, Ed, Nigel, Fran. 
This walk uses two walks from Dave Berry's book More Walks in the Clwydian Hill".  We have combined these walks on several occasions before and the section over Bryn Alyn is always good. It will also give us another opportunity to test our route finding skills through Nercwys Forest again! Admittedly the last couple of times we have had no problems in finding the right path, we've done it so many times over the years that at last the route seems to be etched in to our memories!
This good walk has its challenges and its delights too!
Saturday 16th September 2023.
Conwy Mountain and Around Maen Esgob and Craigfedwen
Distance: 8 miles. Climb:1447'.
Start: Long stay car park on the B5106 at Conwy. Pay and Display. Grid ref:SH781773. Post code: LL32 8LS
Leave Chester 08-30 a.m.
Those planning to walk: Martyn, Mike 
Those not walking: Ed
The walk starts by heading through the castle walls and on the North Wales Coastal Path along the harbour as far as the secondary school. The North Wales Path is the followed over Conwy Mountain through Castell Caer Seion and onto the Sychnant Pass.
 The views from the Conwy Mountain Ridge can be superb, with the Great Orme in one direction and Tal y fan in the other, as well as good views towards Conwy castle and the Conwy Valley.
 After crossing the Sychnant Pass Road, the North Wales Path is once more folowed. At the point where there is a definite fork, it is possible to make a short there and back extension to visit the site of a monument. Returning to the North Wales Path, it is then followed along the East side of Maen Esgob as far as the head of the Fairy Glen. A path heading eastward then takes us past Llyn y wrach.

 Once the West side of Maen Esgob is reached, the main track is followed parallel to the stone wall towards Craigfedwen, where the footpath goes South of Waeny-fedwen and onto the minor road near Llechwedd. The route goes Northward on the road ad then takes the first path on the right which leads around Bryn-mawr to a minor access road. It is along this road that several large and/or interesting properties can be seen. at the T-junction, the route goes right and in a very short distance a broken kissing gate leads the way to a field path leading  to the Sychnant Pass Road at Mount Pleasant on the outskirts of Conwy. The Sychnant Pass Road  is then followed back to Conwy.
Wednesday 20th September 2023.
St Dyfnog's Well,Llwyn Wood, Coed Mawr and More .
Distance: 7.4 miles. Climb: 400'
Start: Roadside parking by the weir, West of Brookhouse Mill and Pottery. Take the A525 from Denbigh. Just before the Brookhouse Mill Tavern on the A525, at a signpost for "Pottery", turn right (West), go past the marked parking bays for the pottery  and park on the left side of the road by the weir. Grid ref: SJ069656.
Leave Chester at 10-00 a.m.
Those planning to walk: Martyn, Sue and Michel, Nigel Mike, Fran, Ed. 
Those not walking: Fran, .
These walk is taken from Dave Berry's book "Walks in the Vale of Clwyd". One walk explores the attractive and varied countryside between Llanrhaeadr and Brookhouse and gives us the opportunity to see again the famous Tree of Jesse medieval stained glass window (1533) and Ann Parry's gravestone with its inscription"God kept His word".  The walk also includes two miles of riverside  alongside the Afon Ystrad and Afon Clwyd
There is a possible extension that is described as interesting and takes a "green"approach to a little known castle (Denbigh) in Wales.
However on the last two occasions we have decided not to do the extension, and had to be satisfied with good views of the castle from the south west.
Saturday 23rd September 2023.
No walk.
 I have an appointment to have a flu jab at 09-32.
It would be possible to arrange a shorter afternoon walk if anyone was interested or a walk that started in Chester.
Wednesday 27th September 2023.
A Great Orme Walk in Search of Siver studded blues!
Postponed due to bad weather! 
Distance: 8 miles. It can be easily be shorted or extended on the day to suit the needs of the group.
Climb: 500'-1000', depending on the route we take.
Start at Llandudno West shore. Roadside parking near the boating lake. Grid ref: SH771820.
Leave Chester at 08-40 a.m.
Those planning to walk: Martyn, Mike, Fran, Nigel, Ed .
Those not walking: Sue and Michel .
We will probably start by heading up Marine Drive and taking the Monks' Path upto the plateau. Following the paths on the north west side of the Great Orme. After visiting the summit trig point we will probably head for Happy Valley for lunch. At lunch we can decide if we want to return to the West shore via the invalids' terrace or return to the summit and drop down the zig-zag steps. 
This another opportunty to look for the Silver studded blue.
We will probably miss out the trig point, unless anyone in the group wishes to visit the trig point or wishes to use the facilities at the summit.
Saturday 30th September 2023.
A Rivington Pike and Winter Hill Walk.
Postponed due to an adverse weather forecast.
Distance: 8 - 9 miles. Climb: 1300'
Start: Car park and picnic site, Rivington Park Lower Barn. Grid ref: SD628138.
Leave Chester at 8-30 a.m.
Those planning to walk: Martyn, Mike, Ed.
Those not walking: , .
This is another walk taken from Terry Marsh's book "Fifty Classic Walks in Lancashire". He describes the walk as a generally easy walk on good tracks throughout, and is a trek through history. Weather permitting, we should get good views of the Darwen Moors.
The last time we did this walk was in November 2010, where if I remember correctly it was clear blue skies, but very cold.
  It is possible that a variation on this route will be followed, if our local friends are able to join us.


Saturday, 23 September 2023

Another Chester and Queensferry Round 23rd September 2023

The new Wales Coast Path Information Board by nThe Cop on Sealand Road.
The new "pebble structure" on the Wales /England border.
Crossing the border.
All you can expect to see if you complete the whole of the Wales Coast Path.
There always has to be at least one photo with Moel Famau in it!
A solitary Grey heron on the bank of the River Dee.
Great cormorants and Mallard on the banks of the Rver Dee.
A Little egret  on the banks of the Rver Dee.
Approaching the Dragon Bridge, where we will join the Millennium Greenway.
The Millennium Greenway without any cyclysts, a rarity, but it didn't last long!
A few of the Pink footed geese in the fields next to the Millennium Greenway.
A brightly painted marker post on the England / Wales Border.
One foot in England, one foot in Wales.
Which country has the surface that is better for those on a bike?
The new sign as we approached Blacon Station.
All change at Blacon Station!
A good reminder to those on two wheels. 
Perhaps they should make rucksacks with this message on them!
Walk Stats:
Distance: 13.4 miles. Climb: 207’.
Time: 4 hours 45 minutes. On the move walking average: 3.1 m.p.h.
Overall walk average: 2.8 m.p.h.
Temperature: 14 - 17 Celsius.
Beaufort Wind force: 0 – 2. Mainly calm / light air, but briefly reached what felt like a gentle breeze, Ed and Mike.
This wasn’t a walk that would be at the top of our must do list, but it was the best option for me as I had my flu jab just after 09-00 and this was the only way I could get a walk in. Thankfully Ed and Mike agreed to join me.
The first leg of the walk was along the Wales Coastal Path as far as the Queensferry Road Bridge. Thankfully one or two new additions had been added to the Wales Coast Path, a new notice board, a stainless steel piece sculpture / art work, new border inscription and a tiled circular information piece of art work on the path.
Lunch was taken just before the Queensferry Road Bridge, where there was a three person seat that we were able to use before leaving the Wales Coast Path on the way to the Millennium Greenway which we followed back to Chester.
On the Wales Coast Path, we saw more runners than cyclists, but on the Greenway the number of cyclists increased considerably, but today the majority of the cyclists rang their bells or warned us of their approach with a verbal instruction. Thankfully no Lycra louts today, although we did see one hoody wearing person speeding on what looked like an off road motor bike.
The surprise of the day was seeing several hundred Pink footed geese feeding in the fields next to the Millennium Greenway.
Birds seen or heard today included: Great cormorant, Mallard, Woodpigeon, Common blackbird, Jackdaw, Rook, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Herring gull. Lesser black back gull, Black headed gull, Canada goose, Lapwing, Mute swan, Grey heron, European robin, Chiffchaff, Feral pigeon, Little egret, Black billed magpie and Pink footed goose.
It was a good walk for putting miles into your legs, but Ed’s calf muscles didn’t appreciate the largely flat terrain.
We arrived at the Square Bottle to find it very busy, especially around the bar and Mike decided it was too warm and stuffy for him, so decided to for home.
Ed and I stayed for a very enjoyable pint of the Peerless Brewery’s Oatmeal Stout before heading homeward. Bus timing was perfect and I was at home by 16-05!






















Wednesday, 20 September 2023

St. Dyfnog's Well and Llyn Wood 20th September 2023

Ball watching on th Afon Ystrad at Brookhouse.

More ball watching on th Afon Ystrad at Brookhouse.
The ball escapes at the "bush" takes over and we wait for the upton contingent to arrive!
Our first view of the Clwydians as we walked alomg the east bank of the Afon Ystrad,
Cows crossing the Afon Yrstad - first for me.
Cows crossing the Afon Yrstad, but there is still some that need encouraging to go the right way.
Guilty!
The view from my "happy bush"
"Are you sure we are still on the path?"
"I'm not sure either."
"Do you realise we have just walked throuigh that maize field!"
The Jesse window at St. Dynog's Church, Llanrhaedre.
Our lunch spot aat St. Dynog's Church, Llanrhaedre.
Ann Parry's graves stone, a special holy women that God spoke to and kept his promiss to her.
St. Dyfnog's Well and babtismal pool.
Are these the three wise men?
No they just don't know where they are going!
The Clwydian Hills as we  left Llwyn bach towards Ystrad Hall.
Final views of the Clwydian Hills.
The trapped bush has escaped!
Walk Stats:
Distance: 7.8 miles. Climb: 617’. (7.5 m.p.h. 685’)
Time: 4 hours 54 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.0 m.p.h. (2.1 m.p.h,)
Overall walk average: 1.7 m.p.h. (1.6 m.p.h.)
Temperature: At 17.8 Celsius at the start and didn’t change much throughout the walk, reaching 18.3 Celsius mid-afternoon.
Beaufort Wind force: 0 – 3. Mainly calm /light air, but briefly reached a 10.2 m.p.h. gentle breeze, but never feeling cold.
Group: Martyn. Sue and Michel, Ed, Nigel, Fran and Mike.
A later than usual start as the Met forecast indicated that there would be heavy rain until about 11-00. It was about 11-15 by the time we set off from our parking spot at Brookhouse as part of the group had difficulty finding the start point!
This is a walk we have done many times, but the paths have often been overgrown with vegetation in places, today was no exception.
The first surprise today was seeing cows being driven across the Afon Ystrad.
The first challenge of the day was on the path next to the Afon Clwyd where ever stile was broken and a challenge to the over seventies to climb over!
The second challenge was crossing the maize field as we headed towards Llanrhaedre, but eventually we all managed to escape and were happy to find the road and the path to our lunch spot at St.Dyfnog’s Church at Llanrhaedre.
After lunch everyone went into St. Dyfnog’s Church to see the Jesse window before visiting Ann Parry’s Grave and St. Dyfnog’s Well.
Route finding after leaving St. Dyfnog’s Well is always a challenge as the route description has changed, today was no exception, but we eventually got back on track.
The original description describes going through a golf course, but now it goes through a holiday lodge park with good path markers.
At one point we went past Mike’s cousin’s cottage, and luckily she was in the garden as e went past.
On this occasion, no one wanted to go on the Denbigh Castle extension, and preferred to head back to the cars and head to a suitable hostelry for refreshments.
Birds seen or heard today included: Common buzzard. Great cormorant, Mallard, Woodpigeon, Common blackbird, Jackdaw, Rook, Barn swallow and Mike’s Kingfisher.
It was a good decision to start an hour later and after a brief rain shower requiring the use of an umbrella; it was largely bright and sunny.
Overall an enjoyable walk worth celebrating at the Dinorben Arms at Bodfari, even if he price of a pint is on the rather pricy side!
Arriving at home, it was even warm enough to be able to clean my boots outside before enjoying the Bayern Munich v Man U match on TV!



Saturday, 16 September 2023

Around Conwy Mountain and More 16th September 2023

Is this what they mean by Welsh Tourism Tax?
One view of Conwy Castle.
Conwy harbour.
Little egret in Conwy Harbour.
The Great Orme from Conwy Muntain.
Ling on Conwy Mountain. 
A yacht passing Deganwy - seen from Conwy Mountain.
Three of the Welsh mountain ponies seen today on Conwy Mountain.
The parting of the ways!
The North Wales Path , my choice today.
It's not looking good in that part of the Conwy valley!
More of the North Wales Path.
A distant Common kestral and one even furher away!
Is it the sea I can hear or is it the traffic along the A55?
Just testing my camera on the moving option - did it work?
Atmospheric view from our lunch spot.
Another atmospheric view from our lunch spot.
"I don't believe it, Llyn y Wrach really is a lake".
A painted stone in the middle of Llyn y Wrach, but did a real live one visit this lake for a drink?
The only foal that we saw on Conwy Mounttain, but I think he/she is last ryear's model,
It makes a change to see a Llama rather tha a sheep or a pony!
A glimpse of an impressive estate house in the Conwy Valley.
Walk Stats:
Distance: 8.3 miles. Climb: 1453’. (8.1 m.p.h. 1236’)
Time: 4 hours 54 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.2 m.p.h. (2.2 m.p.h,)
Overall walk average: 1.7 m.p.h. (1.6 m.p.h.)
Temperature: At 17.2 Celsius at the start. 16.6 Celsius on Conwy Mountain. 18.2 Celsius at lunch.
Beaufort Wind force: 0 – 2. Mainly calm /light air, but briefly reached a 5.5 m.p.h. light breeze as we headed towards Llyn y Wrach.
Group: Martyn and Mike.
A later than usual start as we decided to call in at Hammer and Tongs at Broughton to see if they had small washing up bowls, They did, we both, bought one, but when I got home, it was hardly any smaller than the one I already had!
The forecast for today was pretty good in that was only a 10% chance of rain. The forecast did suggest that it could be misty, but we didn’t expect it to last all day as it did over Tal-y-Fan.
Thankfully for us in the main it was pleasantly cool just about perfect for walking. Hopefully Fran’s little do just outside Caernarfon was just as good.
As is my want these days I allowed Mike to climb over Caer Seion while I took the lower North Wales Path.
Without anyone to slow him down, Mike got to the rendezvous point first!
Our lunch spot was the usual spot overlooking the Fairy Glen.
After lunch we headed past Llyn y Wrach, for once was in fact a “lake”.
The walk from here was just a gentle stroll back to Conwy, anticipating refreshing pint at the Albion in Conwy. It didn’t disappoint!
Birds seen or heard today included: Common kestrel. Mute swan, Common redshank, Mallard, Little egret, Herring gull, Red billed chough, Black billed magpie, Raven, and Meadow pipit.
Overall another enjoyable walk around Conwy Mountain.