Moel Maenefa and Coed Cwm 17th September 2009

Now where is Sue, she like friendly bullocks!

At least one person looks happy!

Group photo on the summit of Moel Maenefa.

Group photo on the summit of Moel Maenefa - taken by Richard. Spot the difference!

Walk stats: Distance: 11.2 miles': Climb:1686.

Time:5 hours 33 minutes; On the move walking average: 2.4 m.p.h.; Overall walk average:2.o m.p.h.

Group:Martyn, Richard, Roger, Celia, Tim, Paul, Gordon, Annie H., Sue and Michel.

another good day for walking, no rain, pleasant temperatures on the main, but a little humid around the maize fields! this was a lovely varied walk, and on a good clear day would have provided some magnificent views towards Snowdonia. Unfortunately today distant views were somewhat hazy!. later views towards the Prestatyn and the coast were superb.

Lunch was taken alongside Coed Cwm, too early for some, too late for others!

After lunch we followed a section of the Offa'a Dyke Path that I have wanted to do for a long time, probably new to all of us!

Birds seen or heard today included: Barn swallow, Robin, Black-billed magpie, Nuthatch, Buzzard, Woodpigeon, Carrion crow, Teal, Goldfinch, House sparrow and Wheatear.

After walk drinks were enjoyed, as is often the case, at the Britannia Inn at Pentre Halkyn.

Two surprises today, the first a lovely photo album from Michel taken on my "Bus pass Celebration Day" and when a got home on the mat was a lovely card from Elaine!

Bus Pass Celebration Walk and Meal 12th September 2009

A slightly bigger picture than the one below!

Llamas in Pentre Halkyn, always a distraction!

All the group plus the photographer's dog! Group Photo taken by Paul.

You really don't believe that Water buffalo are friendly?

After walk and pre-meal drinks.

After walk and pre-meal drinks.

Before the meal.
Before the meal.

Walk stats:Distance:6.0 miles; Climb:557'.

Time 2 hours 37 minutes;On the move walking average:2.6 m.p.h.; Overall walk average:2.3 m.p.h.

Group:Martyn, Mike, Paul, Celia, Tessa and Dave R., Roger, Sue and Michel, Tito, Sue and Dave P., Richard, Annie H., and Derek.

What another glorious day to be out walking in the beautiful area around Pentre Halkyn and Halkyn Mountain with its added industrial heritage past and present. Blue skies, warm sunshine and a very gentle breeze occasionally mustering the energy to cool us slightly.

At the trig point on Halkyn Mountain, a friendly dog walker offered to take a photograph of the whole group using Richard's camera.

As planned we managed to meet up with Derek half way round the walk.

This time the "Water buffalo" field was occupied and as usual they showed their friendly nature by coming over to us to investigate, perhaps against the wishes of some of the group!

Birds seen or heard today included: Pied wagtail, Black-billed magpie, Buzzard, Robin, Blackbird, Nuthatch, Stonechat, Wren, Meadow pipit, Jackdaw and Carrion crow.
The walkers were joined at the Britannia Inn, Halkyn by, Jillian, Sheila and Gordon, Sue and Graeme, Carol and Tim, Margaret, Fran and Naomi.
The celebration meal was enjoyed by all, only two managed a sweet, but they didn't have a starter!

At the conclusion of the meal Sue Pelissier producied a birthday fruit cake, and despite any comment made by her brother in law, we all including some of the regulars, thought it tasted superb. Hopefully next Thursday's walking group can enjoy the rest of the cake.

I would like to thank everyone for their generosity in contributing to the birthday gift and the "better than champagne" bottles of beer, very much a statement I would endorse. The birthday gift will enable me to buy a new pair of walking boots to go with the socks. I would also like to thank Tessa and Dave for the book about the Spix's Macaw and the book tokens that I will probably use to get yet another book on walks.

Thanks again to Sue Pelissier for making the lovely birthday fruit cake.

Thanks to Sarah and Kelly at the Britannia Inn for their gift of bottles of Lees Limited Edition Harvest Ale. Thanks to everyone including the bar staff and the regulars who all helped to make this a superb way to celebrate getting a bus pass! It's good to see the Britannia Inn back in the Camra 2010 Real Ale Guide, but we have always known the Lees bitter at the Brit is good!

Gadlys, Nant-y-Flint and East of Holywell 10th September 2009

One of the best views of the day, looking across the Dee estuary towards the Wirral.

Are we on the right road? Well we made it the right road

A welcome lunch spot, all grateful that we had found Fran!

Don't argue with these two, I don't think that they would hesitate to give you the brush!

Who's want to keep this lot in line!
Is this why we love walking in the Autumn - Damsons, much better than Sloes!

Walk stats: Distance:12.5 miles; Climb:1427'.

Time: 6 hours 10 minutes; On the move walking average:2.5 m.p.h; Overall walk average:2.0 m.p.g.

Group:Martyn, Richard, Roger, Annie H., Gordon, Sue and Michel, Sylvia and Dave J., Tito and Fran.

What glorious day for walking this turned out to be, almost wall to wall blue skies all day, plenty of sunshine and the occasional gentle breeze to cool us.

Once again we met several farmers that were happy to chat and appeared happy that we were walking across their land!

This was a very much an up and down walk, and our legs felts that we had climbed much more than the meagre 1427' recorded, if the effort needed to climb the steps at the Britannia Inn was anything to go by! This walk has in the past prooved to be a "mud challenge", but today we found the worst section had been concreted, making the approach to the wood almost delightful! In fact all of the sections through woodland were good today. A superb walk with only one really nasty stile!

Birds seen or heard today included: Buzzard, Carrion crow, Jay, Jackdaw, Blue tit, Great tit, Long-tailed tit, Robin, Woodpigeon, Nuthatch, House sparrow and Goldfinch.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn, a little later than usual, but very much needed!

Moel Hebog from Llyn Cwmystradllyn 5th September 2009

Yes its true, Richard isn't a mile ahead, but we had only just set off! Gorseddau Quarry and Llyn Cwmystradllyn.
Is this really the way?
Aircraft remains found just after the lunch spot.

Is this Harris Hikers last stand on Moel Hebog? it certainly is for 2009!

Photograph kindly taken by a friendly Evertonian! Good to know that some of the group supported the Reds - thanks Steven.

The way down from Bwlch Meillionen.

Walk stats: Distance: 9.7 miles; Climb:2804'.

Time:6 hours 16 minute; On the move walking average:1.9.m.p.h.; Overall walk average:1.6 m.p.h.

Group:Martyn, Richard, Roger, Mike D., Celia, Tito, Sylvia and Dave J.
We set off we very little hope of getting any sort of view from the summit of Moel Hebog, above 2000' was firmly decked in cloud! However just as we arrived at the summit the clouds lifted and we had glorious views in all directions.

This route to Moel Hebog was interesting to say the least as it approached through the Gorseddiau Quarry and then contoured around the Eastern flanks of Moel Hebog. we even came across the remains of Avro Anson EG472 of 9OAFU Llndwrog that crashed on 13th June 1944, with only one of five crew surviving. apparently the navigator got it wrong and thought that they were over Hawarden and attempted to descend!

Memories of this walk must include the fact that much of the route involved boggy conditions underfoot, and if you arrived back at the car with dry feet you were extremely lucky!

Birds seen or heard today included:Meadow pipit, Stonechat, Pied wagtail, Grey wagtail, Common gull, Lesser Black-backed gull, Carrion crow, Swallow, Raven, Buzzard and Chough.
after walk drinks were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn at Pentre Halkyn where a warm welcome is always received.

Birthday Celebrations 4th September 2009

Roland Pelissier 60 heddiw.

Roland Pelissier 60 au jourd'hui!

Roland Pelissier 60 today.

Penblwydd Hapus i Chi!

Joyeux anniversaire!

All of Harris Hikers would like to wish

Roland

a very happy birthday now that he has joined a very select club and look forward to seeing him on walks in the future!

Cwm Conwy, Moel y Gaer and Coed-y-Felin 3rd September 2009

Starting off in the sunshine, well nearly!
Not again - going the wrong way!

Another day for flower power, flowering gorse on Moel Y Gaer.

What I remember most about this walk - Richard!

Walk stats:Distance:12.5 miles; Climb:2180'.

Time:5 hours 29 minutes; On the move walking average: 2.7 m.p.h.;Overall walk average:2.2 m.p.h.

Group:Martyn, Richard, Roger, Gordon, Annie H., Sylvia and Dave J.

This was another day when the weather turned to be better than perhaps we were expecting. we had the occasional shower that invariably made us don our waterproofs for longer than was necessary!

A good and varied walk, less muddy than usual on the Cwm Conwy path through the wood. Breezy at times especially around Moel y Gaer where we had lunch! Views towards the Wirral. Moel Fammau and Moely Parc were good.

A really good combination of walks that we must do again!

Birds seen or heard today:Swallow, House martin, House sparrow, Kestrel, Common gull, Black-headed gull, Great tit, Carrion crow, Blackbird, Magpie, Woodpigeon and Hobby.

after walk drinks were enjoyed, as is often the case, at the Britannia Inn at Pentre Halkyn, especially today as my last pint of Lees was on the house!

Martyn's Bus Pass Celebration 12th September 2009

Planning ahead.
Saturday 12th of September 2009.
Martyn's bus pass celebration.

Thye menu for the meal on 12th September 2009 is now available. I would be very grateful, if you would let me know as soon as possible your choice of starter and main course. I intend to give Kelly and Sarah our choices on Thursday 10th September, but if you could let me know earlier it would be much appreciated.

Most of you will know by now that Harris Hikers will be having a little celebratory meal together at the Britannia Inn at Pentre Halkyn. The meal has been booked for 13-00. It is proposed that those who wish, can go on a short walk around 6 miles (no extensions allowed), meeting at the Britannia at 09-30, so that we can be back at the Brit by 13-00.

Everyone who has been linked with the walking group past or present in whatever capacity is cordially invited to join us for the walk and the meal or just for the meal.

During the last week in August I will ask Sarah or Kelly at the Britannia for a menu so that we can pre-book both the starters (if required) and the main course in advance.

I plan to give them a copy of our orders on Thursday 10th September.

Please let me know if you are able to join us for the meal so that I can contact you as soon as the menu is available.

Sue Pelissier has booked for about 30, but Sarah says that they can cope with up to 50. 30 seems a little large at the moment. So far 23 have confirmed that they intend to join me.

Martyn

Those confirming that that can come to date are: Martyn and Jillian, Celia, Sue and Michel, Margaret and Roger, Fran and Tito, Tim and Carol, Sue and Dave P., Richard, Gordon and Sheila, Paul Collinson, Derek Venables, Graeme and Sue Anderson, Mike Dodd, Annie H, Naomi Deynem.