Walks and Dates June 2025

 

Saturday Walks.

I have decided that it has become pointless for me to plan Saturday walks in advance as most weeks I am the only one around.

However Saturday walks can be arranged on request.

One short walk a month could be included on request.

Wednesday 4th June 2025.

A Two Canal Walk from Anderton Lift.

Distance: 8-9 miles, Climb: < 400ft
Based on 7th April 2021 walk led by Mike Dodd and Upton Trekers 17th July 2021
Start; Anderton Boat Museum Car Park, Lift Lane, Anderton - CW9 6FW - SJ646754. Pay & Display - Ticket on foot
Leave Chester 09-00.
Those planning to walk: Martyn, .
Those not walking: .
Access via M56 J10, A559, Gib Hill and Comberbach due to long term closure of Soot Hill
From the Anderton lift descend to Winnington Swing Bridge and take the Weaver Navigation tow path downstream almost to Acton Swing Bridge. Here go right and up a slight rise to gain the Trent & Mersey Canal at Bridge 208. Go right along the tow path to Bridge 207 where go off left to reach Little Leigh. Suggested lunch break in the village. Leave Little Leigh on a path which leads back to the Trent & Mersey at Bridge 204. Continue left along the tow path and negotiate two tunnels by walking over the top. The descent from the top of Barnton Tunnel and another mile of tow path leads back to the car park.

Saturday 7th June 2025.

Ramshaw Rocks and the Roaches.

Distance: 8 miles. Climb: 1400’.
Start: Lay-by on West side of Hen Cloud, opposite the track to Windygates. Grid ref: SK006618.
Leave Chester at 08-00.

Those planning to walk: Martyn, .
Those not walking: .
Ramshaw Rocks were visited for the first time last year and combined with The Roaches it makes a superb walk, worth repeating on a n annual basis.
This walk allows us to explore Ramshaw Rocks seen so many times as we have walked over the Roaches. Ramshaw Rocks from a distance have always looked to be an interesting place in which to walk. This time Ramshaw Rocks will be our main objective with a North to South traverse of the Roaches a bonus towards the end of the walk. If time and legs permit, Hen Cloud may be included as an extension. The route heads North and then North west leading to Well Farm. From Well Farm field paths are used to reach the Churnet Way near Naychurch. The Churnet Way is followed North over Ramshaw Rocks and then leaves the Churnet Way and heads North to visit Black Brook Nature Reserve, After a complete circuit of the Reserve the route drops down to the road South of Newstone Farm. The road is then followed North for about a mile before heading west across Goldstich Moss in to the Black Brook Valley. After crossing the brook on a footbridge the path then rises to Roach End. At Roaches End the main path over the Roaches is followed past the trig point and Doxy Pool back to the start.

Boggy area guaranteed!

Wednesday 11th June 2025.

Eglwyseg Escarpment and Trevor Rocks.

Distance: 9-10 miles. Climb: 1200’. Can be made shorter if need be.
Start: Off road parking on the Panorama road just east of the monument. Grid ref: SJ247426.
Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.
Those planning to walk: Martyn,  . 
Those not walking: Mike, Fran
This must be one of the best walks in the Llangollen area, especially on a sunny day. This is a walk that makes you feel like you’re on top of the world with superb views in all directions, including the Dee Valley, Dinas Bran, the Llantysilio Mountains and the Berwyns. This is one of my favourite walks and is always on the list at least once every year.
We usually do this walk in mid-week, so it will be a change to do it on a Saturday but hopefully everyone else will be staying at home to watch the coronation!
At this time of the year, we could still hear and see Cuckoos. 

Cuckoo reportedly arrive in the valley at the beginning of May, so hopefully we won't be disappointed.

Saturday 14th June 2025.

No planned walk 

Wednesday 18th June 2025.

Chirk - Offa's Dyke, Two Canal Tunnels and a Castle.

Distance: 9.0 miles. Climb: 800'.
Start: Chirk Centre Car Park. Grid ref: SJ291377.
Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.
Those planning to walk: Martyn, Looks like I am going birdwatching)

Those not walking: Mike, Fran, Nigel

This walk is taken from Dave berry's booklet “Walks Around the Berwyns and The Ceiriog Valley". It is described as a walk of great variety and explores the attractive undulating countryside around Chirk. At times it follows the Offa's Dyke Footpath. Part of the route follows the Llangollen canal towpath and includes going through a short tunnel we may in fact go through a second tunnel. You may wish to bring a torch, but there is a handrail to guide you.

Saturday 21st June 2025.

No planned walk 

Wednesday 25th June 2025

A Walk Around the Great Orme.

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 08-30 a.m.

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.

It is a good time to see butterflies, so hopefully we will se the Pearl bordered blue.

Saturday 28th June 2025.

No planned walk 

Suggestions for Saturday Walks.

Wales.

Moel y Garneddd.

Distance: 7-8 miles.

Climb: 1200'.

Start: Fronfeuno Snowdonia National Park Lakeside Car park Grid ref: SH917351.

Leave Chester 08-30 a.m.

This walk is taken from Dave Berry's booklet "Walks Around Y Bala and Penllyn". The walk explores the undulating countryside West of Bala. The route follows a a bridleway up to moorland, eventually crossing Moel y Garneddd at a height of 1170'. We can expect to see superb views as we cross the open moorland. The return route goes through attractive woodland. This is a walk for experienced walkers only and should not be attempted in poor visibility. Careful navigation is required.

Caer, Gai, Cwm Dyfrydwy with an extension over Garth Fawr.

Distance: 9.1 miles. Climb: 1100'.

Start: Roadside parking in Llanuwchllyn on B4403. Park opposite the PC and chapel. Grid ref: SH875302.

Leave Chester 08-30 a.m. 

This walk combines two walks from Dave Berry's booklet "Walks Around Y Bala and Penllyn". One walk is described as a fascinating walk featuring a Roman fort and historic houses and the other explores both sides of the Dyfrdwy Valley. The optional extension explores the countryside South of Llanuwchllyn, climbing to open moorland around Garth Fawr at a height of 1079'. It returns along the Western side of the Afon Twrch (Cwm Cynllwyd).

Ffrith Mountain and the Alyn Gorge.

Distance: 9 miles. Climb: 1010'.
Start: Lay-by on the Cadole to the Pantymwyn road. Grid ref: SJ205627. Approaching Loggerheads on the A494, Mold to Ruthin Road and after passing the former Rainbow Inn (now a smalll new housing estate), take the next road on the right just before the newsagent. The lay-by is almost immediately on the right by the telephone kiosk.

Leave Chester: 09-00 a.m.

This walk is taken from Dave Berry's Book " More Walks in the Clwydian Hills" He describes it as an excellent walk exploring beautiful valleys and foothills. We usually start at Loggerheads, but as it is £5 to park for more than 4 hours we will start up the road in Cadole.

A Two Canals Walk from the Anderton Boat Lift Museum 4th June 2025

Mallard family on the Trent and Mersey Canal.

More Mallards on the Trent and Mersey Canal. (FM)

Striding out on the Trent and Mersey Canal towpath.

Buttercups giving a splash of yellow along the Trent and Mersey towpath.

Flag iris on the Trent and Mersey towpath.

Fox, Grey heron and a Kingfisher wood carvings placed on tree stumps next tpo the Trent and Mersey Canal.

Bridge over the Weaver Navigation near the Leigh Arms at Little Leigh.

One narrow boat and one barge on the Weaver Navigation.

Somewhere in the picture are two mem in a canoe / kayak.

Approaching Saltersford Locks on the Weaver Navigation.

Exploring Saltersford Locks.

Leaving Saltersford Locks.

Nigel trying to work out what type of boat this is.

Insects visiting Bindweed.

Distance: 8.4 miles.
Climb: 276’
Time: 4 hours 44 minutes.
On the move walking average: 2.5 m.p.h.
Overall walk average: 1.8 m.p.h.
Temperature: 17.2 Celsius for most of the walk, measured 22.2 Celsius at lunch in the warm sunshine.
Beaufort Wind Force: 0 – 2. Mainly a Light breeze, but never reached the Moderate breeze given on the forecast.
Group: Martyn, Mike, Nigel and Fran.
The weather turned out to be much better than forecast, more sunshine, just a few brief spots of rain and less wind than we expected.
The outward route took along the towpath of the Trent and Mersey Canal, and the return route took on the path next to the Weaver Navigation Canal.
We saw several families of Mallards, one Coot and cootlet and one Moorhen and chick
Masses of buttercups gave a delightful splash of yellow along most of the towpath.
Lunch was taken soon after starting the return leg along the Weaver Navigation path. E took advantage of a structure that according to Nigel contained the metal for the anodic protection of the nearby pipe line.
We only saw narrow boats on the Trent and Mersey Canal, but saw a variety of boats, including a kayak on the Weaver Navigation.
Birds seen or heard today included: Goldfinch, Jackdaw, Common blackbird, Carrion crow, Chiffchaff, Cetti warbler, Mallard, Woodpigeon, Winter wren, Barn swallow, Great cormorant, European robin, House sparrow, Common buzzard, Herring gull, Rook, Common starling, Black billed magpie, Greenfinch, Mute swan, Sedge warbler, Common coot and Moorhen.
Arriving back at the Boat Museum, a member of the Canal and River Trust persuaded all of us to make a donation to trust, the least we could do after we had completed a walk on paths next to two canals.
We arrived back at the car, having had a very enjoyable leisurely walk. At least one member of the group would have liked to extend the walk to include the Marbury Country Park loop, but we ended up heading for the Morris Dancer in Kelsall for liquid refreshment. Beers from Brightside and Mancunian breweries were enjoyed by Fran, Nigel and Mike, while I enjoyed my pot of tea with two small jugs of hot water.

Holyhead Breakwater and South Stack Country Parks 31st May 2025

The Wales Coast Path leading to bay west of Soldiers Point.

Looking towards the mainland from the Wales Coastal Path.

Our first Common whitethroat.

Even the harbour is in mist.

Irish Ferries appearing through the mist as it heads for port.

Even Holyhead Mountain Summit is still in cloud.

Our second Common whitethroat.

A delightful section of the Wales Coastal Path.

Investigating the former quarry explosive store.

FM's Heath orchid.

My Heath orchid.

Murky view of South Stack Lighthouse.

A few Guillemots at South Stack.

There may be a Puffin this picture, but if there is I can't see it!

The usual view of South Stack Lighthouse from the steps.

Wall flowers.

Heading for the last climb of the day.

The Stena Line Ship is now in port as well as Irish Ferries and the Cruise Liner.

Looking sown on Holyhead Breakwater Country Park Visitor Centre and Car Park.

Waves crashing into Holyhead Breakwater Wall.

Distance: 6.5 miles but 7.0 miles after walking from the Bodlondeb Car Park to the Albion in Conwy.
Climb: 1526’ GPS wind assisted reading. It was 1326’ when we did the walk in 2024.
Time: 4 hours 41 minutes.
On the move walking average: 2.0 m.p.h.
Overall walk average: 1.6 m.p.h.
Temperature: 14.5 Celsius at the start. 18.5 Celsius after lunch in a sheltered spot. 17.5 Celsius at the end of the walk.
Beaufort Wind Force: 0 – 5. Mainly a Light breeze, but reached a 19.7 m.p.h. Fresh breeze on the steps to South Stack Lighthouse. It felt stronger than this, and I had a job to hold my camera steady enough to take a photo!
Group: Martyn, Mike and Fran.
This was a good day for walking, especially when we were sheltered from the wind. Distant few were somewhat misty, and never the high tops of Eryri were always in cloud.
Even the Irish Ferry boat seemed to be coming through mist.
The bonus today was seeing so many flowers, the Heath orchid being the best. We did see a few Bluebells still in flower, but most were past their best.
There were plenty of tourists around South Stack, but they like us would have been disappointed if they were hoping to see a Puffin.
Lunch was taken near Ellin’s Tower, where we were somewhat sheltered from the worst of the wind.
The return from South Stack was less strenuous than the morning walk, and largely completed in warm sunshine. It was along the wall lined paths that we saw most of the flowers. These included: Red campion, Buttercups, Ox-eye daisy, Bluebell, Honeysuckle, Herb Robert, Bell heather, Bird's-Foot Trefoil, Thrift and Heath Orchid.
Birds seen or heard today included: Goldfinch, Jackdaw, Common blackbird, Carrion crow, Chiffchaff, Willow warbler, Common whitethroat, Red billed chough, Mallard Woodpigeon, Winter wren, Barn swallow, Great cormorant, European robin, House sparrow, Common buzzard, Common pheasant, Lesser black back gull, Herring gull, Rook, Common starling, Linnet, Guillemot, Meadow pipit, Black billed magpie, Greenfinch and a Red kite seen from the car on our way home.
When we were only a short distance from the start, we could see the waves crashing into the Breakwater wall, indicative that the wind onshore was now much stronger than when we set off.
We arrived back at the car, having had a good walk, and ready to head for the Albion in Conwy for refreshments. Beers sampled included; Hafod’s Vanilla Porter, Conwy’s Welsh Pride and Snowdonia Craft Brewery’s Snowdonia IPA.

War Planes Fly Past my Garden 30th May 2025

Lancaster bomber, Hurrican and Spitfire.

Only just caught them this time!

Arrived at home just in time to see this fly past, before they landed at Hawarden Airport.

Every blog post must have a picture of Moel Famau!

 

Gronant, Big Pool N.R., Around Talacre Abbey and Coed Bell.

Marsh orchid and Ladybird by FM.

Gronant Dunes NR looking towards Point of Ayr.

Gronant Dunes NR looking towards Barkby Beach, Prestatyn

Looking towards Coed Bell from Gronant Dunes NR.

Skylark at Gronant Dunes NR.

Skylark at Gronant Dunes NR.

Little terns near the Little tern colony at Gronant Dunes NR.

A Little tern in flight.

Another Marsh orchid near Presthaven Sands.

Heading for Presthaven Sands Beach.

Lesser black back gulls.

High tide at Presthaven Sands Beach (around mid-day).

A boat on the high seas.

On the trot round the circuit near Big Pool Wood.

FM's photo of the pony and trap.

Ferns in wood heading towards the Abbey Caravan Park.

Looking towards the coast from the Abbey Caravan Park.

Foxgloves in flower.

Foxglove flowers close up.

Bluebells next to the track past Celston Hall Farm.

MD's Peacock and Bluebells

Bluebells already gone to seed in Coed Bell.

Stepping out on the descent from Coed Bell.

Distance: 9.1 miles. Climb: 928’.
Time: 5 hours 48 minutes.
On the move walking average: 2.4 m.p.h.
Overall walk average: 1.6 m.p.h.
Temperature: 19.2 Celsius at lunch in Big Pool Wood NR. Max – 20.5 Celsius in the end of the walk.
Beaufort Wind Force: 0 – 2. Mainly a Light breeze, reaching a maximum of 5.7 m.p.h.
Group: Martyn, Fran and Mike.
Weatherwise this was a better day than forecast, although we did get very light rain for about 30 minutes just as we set off.
We started the walk by heading for the Gronant Dunes NR and the Little tern colony viewpoint.
There was plenty of Little terns flying around, but the warden informed us that they had only just started to identify nest sites.
We spent a little longer viewing the terns than we usually, so we had to think of a different place for lunch as it would take us to about 13-30 to get to our usual lunch spot near Abbey Farm.
As it was half term for most schools, there was plenty of families looking to play on the Presthaven Sands beach, but they would have to wait a while as the tide was well in at 11-45 and it would be about another half an hour before the tide started to go out.
So far, the Little terns and Skylarks were the stars, but lots of Marsh orchids were bonus.
As we approached Big Wood NR, it was a joy to se the pony and trap racing around the track, quicker than you think, making it difficult to take a decent picture.
We ended up having lunch in Big Pool Wood, where there was plenty of choice of benches and picnic tables to choose from. It was a pleasant lunch break, sitting in the sunshine and shielded from the breeze by the surrounding trees.
As ever, the paths around Kelton Farm were overgrown, resulting in some of us getting stung by Nettles.
We were hoping to see Bluebells, especially in Coed Bell, but alas we were too late and all of the Bluebells had gone to seed.
We did see a few Bluebells in flower along the track from Celston Hall Farm towards Acre Wood.
Birds seen or heard today included: Goldfinch, Jackdaw, Common blackbird, Carrion crow, Chiffchaff, Cetti warbler, Mallard Woodpigeon, Winter wren, Barn swallow, European robin, House sparrow, Common buzzard, Moorhen, Great tit, Blue tit, Mute swan, Great cormorant, Common pheasant, Lesser black back gull, Herring gull, Rook, Sedge warbler, Common starling, Skylark, Meadow pipit, Stonechat, Little egret and Little tern.

Butterflies seen included: Common blue, Small tortoiseshell, Peacock and Red admiral.
We arrived back at the car, having had a good walk, and ready for refreshments. We tried the Brit at Halkyn, but for the second time the Lees bitter tasted vinegary, so we headed to the Blue Bell where the Lees bitter and Treboom’s Welsh Sparkle went down well.