A Shotton to Chester Round 10th September 2022

The promise to plant trees for every child in Flinshire - next to Shotton Lower Level Station.

Moel Famau from the Dragon Bridge over the bridge over he A494.

The only colorful waymarker on the Millenium Greenway.

A lovely sign as we left Blacon Station.

Blacon Crem loks good from the Greenway.

Standing guard as we start along the canal towpath.

Small fish in the canal near the canal basin.

Narrow boats on the canal near Telford's Warehouse.

The view from our picnic bench opposite Telford's Warehouse.

A Commo buzzard on the pylon north eas of Brewer's Hall.

At th start of the Wales Coastal Path.

I think I have been here before!

Walk stats:

Distance 14.7 milies. Climb: 203'.

Time: 5 hours 36 minutes. On the move walking average: 3.0 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.6 m.p.h.

Temperature: 20.6 Celsius at the start. 20.2 Celsius in the shade at lunch. Max - 24.6 elsius - mid afternoon on the Wales Coastal Path.

Group: Martyn and Ed.

We were both arriving at Shotton using public transport and surprisngly my bus allowed ne to arrive at Shotton Station just as Ed's train pulled in.

This wasn't exctly an exciting walk, and considering the distance, I wonder why I ever agreed to to do the walk, having said this walk was "doable, especially a I ended up with a blister on my foot!

The most surprising aspect of the walk today was the number of cyclist we saw, all following the advice given at Blacon Station - not one  a "lycra looney"!

We set of about 09-45 with a good pace hat we we at our planned lunch spot just after mid-day.

As we vapproached the canal basin, we were pleased to see lots of small fish near the surface in the canal as we went under a road bridge.

Lunch was taken using a canal side picnic bench in the shade, opposite Telford's Warehouse. (we resisted the temptation to visit the said hostelery!

As we had lunch, I was saddwned to get a text, informing me that my cousin, David Nickless, the eldest in the family died yesterday.

After lunch the return route took usalong the Wales Coastal Path from tThe Cop on Sealand Road all the way back to Shotton.

Birds seen or heard today included: Common blackbird, Woodpigeon, Raven, Carrion crow, Lapwing, Great cormorant, Black headed gull, Mallard, Grey heron and Cetti warbler.

We arrived back at Shotton Station, just in time for Ed to catch the 15-5 train as it was late, but I don't think he had any intention of catching it as we headed to The Central Hotel for some liquid refrshment.

Ed caught the 16-04 train and I caughtthe 16-20  bus home.

 

Connah's Quay Dock to Queensferry and Back via two bridges 29th April 2021

The view from Connah's Quay Dock, looking towards Hawarden Bridge.

Connah's Quay Dock with the Flint Road bridge beyond.

"Minnie Mouse" guarding "our" seat and looking smug.

The Dee bore approaches.

Distance: 4.0 miles. Climb: 46'.
Time: 1 hour 56 minites. On the move waking average: 2.5 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.0 m.p.h.
Group: Martyn and Jill.

Bright and sunny at first, but the light north westerly wind made it feel cool at times.Birds seen or heard today included: Black headed gull, Lesser black back gull, Oystercatcher, Common blackbird, European robin, Chiffchaff, Commo chaffinch, Common pheasant, Carrion crow, Goldfinch and Mallard.

The bonus today was seeing the tidal bore approaching, just as we were arriving at "our" bench where we sat to enjoy our drinks before heading back over Hawarden Bridge.

An enjoyable "Micky Mouse" Walk or should it be "Minnie Mouse" Walk!

Harris Hikers Chester Branch Walks. Upton, The Greenway, Blacon, Chester and More Wednesday 25th November 2020

Upton, The Greenway, Blacon, Chester and More.

A Great cormorant on the bank of the River Dee opposite The Cop, sealand Road.

Back in Chester, approaching lower Bridge Street.

A 12 mile loop including The Greenway, through Blacon, The Cop, Sealand Road, the River Dee to town and back to Upton via Hoole .
A lovely day walked at a pace 4 hours including lunch taken outside County Hall on the river. 2Fran did her best to keep up with Nigel’s trot. We saw a cormorant stretching his wings to dry in the golden autumnal sunshine. Good to be out even if we didn’t leave tarmac underfoot.

Another Border Check Walk on the Wales Coast Path Tuesday 17th November 2020

Another Border Check Walk on the Wales Coast Path.

Beluga XL 2 coming into land, approaching from Blacon flats side of the river.

At the England - Wales Border on the Wales Coast Path, from a point about 10 m inside the Wales border.

Looking towards Queensferry from the Saltney Ferry Footbridge.

The high tide has just floods over the top of the usual river bank and spreads upto the flood embankment.

Looking towards Chester from the Saltney Ferry Footbridge.

The high tide has just floods over the top of the usual river bank and spreads upto the flood embankment.

Distance: 4.8 miles. Climb: 374' (wind assisted GPS reading), more like 80'.
Time: 2 hours 0 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.6 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.4 m.p.h.
Group: Martyn and Jill.

A good day for walking, dry, pleasantl warm in the mid teens Celsius, but with a cool wind once we were by the river.

The tide was pretty high as we arrived at The Riverside on River Lane, Saltney, but it was still flowing strongly upstream towards Chester and would do so for about another hour. In fact it had just started to turn as we arrived back at the Higher Ferry Footbridge on our return.

We were lucky enough to be approaching the Saltney Ferry Footbridge from The Riverside, River Lane, Saltney, when were were able to stand and watch the Beluga XL 2 coming into land at Hawarden Airport / Airbus, Broughton.

Lots of people out taking advantage of the good weather, mainly dog walkers and cyclists, and surprisingly most of the latter had bells and actually used them. One was so loud it startled me, but at least the cyclist could tell that I had heard she was approaching.

As is the norm, only two people did not cross the Wales - England Border, all other cyclists, walkers, dog walkers and joggers crossed the brder as if the Lockdown rules in England and Wales did not exist or apply to them!

Birds seen or heard today included: Mallard, Moorhen, Common kestrel, Carrion crow, Redwing, Black headed gull, Herring gull, Pink footed goose, Feral pigeon, Common blackbird, Common starling, Pied wagtail and House sparrow.

We arrived hom, having had an enjoyable walk, but annoyed to find that a friendly dog had left me a message just outside my gate!

A Border Check Walk Saturday 14th November 2020

A Border Check Walk.

Great cormorants drying out at The Riverside, River Lane, Saltney.

A Redwing surrounded by lunch.

Border Clowns.

It's raining here, but the top of Moel Famau looks OK.

Distance: 4.7 miles. Climb: 70'.

Time: 1 hour 36 minutes. On the move walking average: 3.2 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.9 m.p.h.
Group: Martyn.

With no dark clouds on the horizon, very little wind and a temperature of 14.7 Celsius on my outdoor thermometer, I decided it was worth risking a shower, and I set off on one of my regular local riverside walks. It was only when I was at the start of the Wales Coast Path on the England - Wales border that it became windy and started to rain. Thankfully I had my umbrella that at least kept most of me dry, but the bottom of my trouser legs did get wet.

Not many birds around, but those I did see included: Mallard, Moorhen, Lesser black back gull, Herring gull, Black headed gull, Common gull, Great cormorant, Pied wagtail, Blue tit, Great tit, Common blackbird, Black billed magpie, Redwing, House sparrow, Feral pigeon, Common starling and Raven.

As I approached th England - Wales Border at several dog walkers and cyclists crossed the border in both directions, ignoring both Welsh Covid Rules and England Lockdown Rules - they obviously must think these restrictions only apply to other people.

Despite the rain, it was an enjoyable walk, challenging towards then in trying to keep my umbrella from continually turning inside out (thankfully it is an umbrella that doesn't break when turned inside out).

Saltney Ferry to Chester along the riverside path 27th March 2019

Looking towards Chester from the Higher Ferry footbridge.

Lesser black back gull on the River Dee at Saltney.

The riverside path from Bumpers Lane to Chester.

Oystercatcher on Rver Dee between Saltney and Chester.

A capstan on the former Saltney dockside.

Looking across the river towards the former Saltney Dock.

A Teal on the River Dee between Saltney and Chester.

A Grey heron on the South bank of the River Dee opposte Sealand Road sewage works.

Looking towards Saltney from The Cop, Sealand Road, Chester.

Looking towards Crane Wharf from The Cop, Sealand Road, Chester.

Chester Racecourse from the riverside path.

Volunteers clearing up litter on the riverside path and river bank.
In less than an hour these volunteers had collectd ten sacks of rubbish, mainly cans and plastic and glass bottles.

looking across the weir towards Handbridge from The Groves.

A male Blackbird in Grosvenor Park.

Walk stats: Distance: 5.1 miles. Climb: 100'.

Time: 2 hours 12 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.5 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.3 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn.

As no-one else was available to walk today, I set off from home, intending to walk to Shotton on the riverside path from the Higher Ferry footbridge. However arriving at the footbridge I was met with a cool breeze that i would be heading into if I went in the direction of Queensferry, so I changed my mind and headed instead towards Chester with the wind on my back.

 Overall it was a pleasant day for walk, overcast in the main, although a light fleece was needed to make it feel comfortable. It was a pity that the Sun didn't appear in its full glory until after I had arrived home mid-afternoon.

As well as walkers, there was plenty of cyclists using the path, but thankfully most of them knew how to use a bell.

 Spring flowers were starting to show including Red dead nettle and White dead nettle.

 Birds seen or heard today included: House sparrow, Great tit, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Herring gull, Lesser black back gull, Grey heron, European robin, Winter wren, Teal, Great cormorant, Oystercatcher, Woodpigeon, Common blackbird, Moorhen and Mallard.

 I finished the walk by enjoying a few of the brews on offer in the Wetherspoons Real Ale and Cider Festival at the Square Bottle. The best one sampled today was the Barbourne Cherry Bakewell Cider which I gave a score of 8/10.

 Only a short walk, but still very enjoyable

Chester to Shotton Along the North Walws Coastal Path 29th September 2018

First sight of the Higher Ferry footbridge.

Looking towards Queensferry from a point near the Higher Ferry Footbridge.

Moel Famau above the A380 Barge Terminal.

The Queensferrry Blue Bridge.

Hawarden Bridge in the distance.

Looking towards Queensferry from Hawarden Bridge.

Looking across the railway lines towards Connah's Quay from the Hawarden Bridge  footbridge

Walk stats: Distance: 7.5 miles. Climb: 114'.

Time: 2 hours 51 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.7 m.p.h.  Overall walk average: 2.6 m.p.h.

Group: Marty and Jim.

This turned out to be a very pleasant leisurely stroll on the river between the Sealand Road Cop to Shotton. Warm sunshine hardly any wind.This was a walk only marred by the frequency of cyclist, especially hose that failed to give a audible signal as they approached. I think we heard just one bell used by a cyclist out more than fifty that we saw.

 Distant views of the Clwydian Hills were good, and being in Flintshire it was no surprise to see Moel Famau on the Skyline.

 We arrived at the the Central hotel about 12-15, a rather busy time, and it took us some time before were were served and able to enjoy a refreshing pint of The Finishing Line brewed by thev loacal Hafod Brewery at Mold.

 Birds seen or heard today included: Grey Heron, Mallard, Gre4at cormorant, Blue tit, Woodpigeon, Lapwing, Lesser blac-bak gull, Black-headed gull, Carrion crow, Common buzzard, Common kestrel and Canada goose.

 An enjoyable walk, culminating with a couple of refreshing pints and a meal that went down well too, and finally home again by public transport.

Connah's Quay Docks to Chester City Centre 6th April 2013

The start of the walk, but alas no longer able to serving real ale or anything!

Looking from Connah's Quay Dock to the new Flint bridge.

What am I, any suggestions?

Hawden Bridge over the Dee.

Queensferry old bridge from Hawarden Bridge.

The blue road bridge over Welsh Road.

Self-portrait, never the best, but at least you can see I've crossed the blue bridge!

The way to the next bus stop, at Chester!

Walk stats: Distance: 10.0 miles. Climb: 100'.

Time 3 hours 26 minutes. Overall walk average: 2.9 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn - Billy no-mates.

The weather forecast for today was superb, bright and sunny and temperatures in double figures.  This was too much to miss, and I decided that I must go solo, and test drive my shorts for the first time this year! This I did and it proved a good decision, particularly after mid-day.

I decided to get the bus to Connah's Quay and return Chester via the cyclist No. 5 route as I have for a long time wanted to go over the blue bridge over Welsh Road. I have always admired this bridge on the many occasions that I have gone under it on my way to the Wirral, and planned that some day I would walk over it, today was that day!

This really was a pleasant stroll, despite the continued disturbance of the tranquillity by frequent cyclists and a couple of roller skiers!

Bird sng was in the air all day, and just after passing over the Dee on the Hawarden Bridge, I had the pleasure of hearing and seeing my first Chiffchaff of the year. By the time that I reached Blacon Station, they were two a penny, but still lovely to hear!

The surprise bird today was seeing a flock of Fieldfare, flitting between the trees along the track and adjacent fields near Saughall.

Birds seen or heard today included: Chiffchaff, Blue tit, Great tit, Woodpigeon, Collared dove, Feral pigeon. Mallard, Great cormorant, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Rook, Goldfinch, Common teal, Greenfinch, Lesser black-backed gull, Common buzzard, Common blackbird, Skylark, Song thrush, Winter wren, Fieldfare, Redwing, Lapwing, Chaffinch, Black-billed magpie, European robin and House sparrow.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Cross Quays in Chester, where the Joule's beers went down well, as did the Weston's perry!