A Leasowe and New Brighton Experience 15th January 2015

Heading along the coast towards Leasowe Lighthouse and New Brighton.

Ringed plover.

Blowing in the wind!

The only boat we saw leaving the Mersey.

The way head to Fort Perch Rock.

The galleon art made mainly from drift wood.

Liverpool Pier head from our lunch spot.

Common redshank and Turnstone on the pontoon at New Brighton Marine lake.

Walk stats: Distance: 11.5 miles. Climb: 150' at a guess (1883' wind assisted on the GPS!).

Time: 4 hours 40 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.8 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.4 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, David S., Wendy, Celia, Tim and Phil.

We were expecting it to be a little breezy with the possibility of showers, especially around mid-day. Thankfully it was sunny throughout and stroll along the beach was quite pleasant as the wind helped us on our way. There was plenty of birds for me to see and photograph, which meant that it wasn't long before the rest of the group were several hundred yards away!

 At times the wind gusted to over 20 m.p.h., creating a sand storm that raced across the beach.

 Lunch was taken near Victoria Park at New Brighton, where we could seats in a shelter enabled us to keep out of the wind and at the same time look across the Mersey towards Liverpool.

 The return journey back towards Leasowe became quite a challenge as for nearly four miles we were heading directing into a gale that seemed quite a lot stronger than the one that had assisted us in the morning. There wasn't much lingering done on the way back!

 We were quite grateful to get back to the start and sit out of the wind in the car.

 Birds seen or heard today included: Common starling, Common blackbird, Dunnock, Eurasian curlew, Lapwing, Ringed plover, Oystercatcher, Common redshank, Turnstone, Dunlin, Black-headed gull, Herring gull, Common gull, Great cormorant, Lesser black-backed gull and Great black-backed gull.

 After walk drinks were enjoyed at the enjoyed at the Wheatsheaf Inn at Raby. Trappers Hat went down well as did several others tried various members of the group.

A Blue Bell Inn Walk - Hillforts and Halkyn Common 10th january 2015

On the ramparts of Moel y Gaer.

Lunch time - a sheltered spot on the Kame.

A panorama from the Millennium Cairn on Moe Ffagnallt.

Walk stats: Distance: 8.5 miles. Climb: 2100' (wind assisted on the GPS) but 1100'  is more likely!

Time: 4 hours 14 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.5 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.0 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Mike, Celia and Roger.

 I woke up with outside temperatures above 10 Celsius, making me wonder should I be walking in shorts rather than my Paramo Winter gear. Thankfully I stayed with the Paramo as at times the cooling gale force winds made sure I was glad that I wasn't wearing shorts. 

 My extension took us along a muddy/waterlogged section of Wat's Dyke Way and on the fringe of a Pheasant Shoot, seeing one bird drop of the sky and land in the field just to our North, followed by a couple of Spaniels trying to locate it - they failed as far as we could tell!

 Approaching Grouse Farm we encountered a gate that challenged our ageing limbs - it was leaning towards, couldn't be opened and the footpath sign was broken and lying to one side. Having overcome that the rest of the walk was a piece of cake!

 After walking on the ramparts of Moel y Gaer, the wind picked up considerably, and heading along the road to Moel Y Crio and Moel Ffagnallt we doubted finding a suitable place for lunch. The Kame came to our rescue and we managed to find a sheltered spot, where we could enjoy Margaret's excellent (some said 3 gold star) mince pies.

 After lunch we battled against gale force wind  and whilst at the Millenium Cairn, we almost blown of our feet. The views were superb in all directions, as they had been earlier from Moel y Gaer.

  Much of the walk across Halkyn Common, was for the first time, wind assisted, but we weren't at this stage complaining!

 We arrived back at the Blue Bell Inn, knowing that this walk had taken more out of us than we would have expected and as we went in the welcome feeling of warmth just hit us. The drinks went down well, especially the "Rubber Chicken" cider!  This Welsh cider is made by Palmers Upland Cyder, Newport.

 Birds seen or heard today included: Common pheasant, Common blackbird, Blue tit, Wood nuthatch, Common buzzard, Woodpigeon. Jackdaw, Carrion crow, House sparrow and Peregrine falcon (probably a pair).

Rhuddlan to Rhyl and the Clwyd Estuary 8th January 2015

The Afon Clwyd from its East bank.

"We've always been a close walking group!"

A Red-breasted merganser on the Marine Lake at Rhyl.

An early lunch was declared!

Our last vies of the sea, looking towards the Great Orme.

Not easy to see, but there is a pair of Gossander as well as Wigeon on the Afon Clwyd.

One shot of the hundreds of Lapwing that took the skies above the river.

Walk stats: Distance: 8.7 miles. Climb: 100'.

Time: 3 hours 55 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.6 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.2 m.p.h (even with a nearly 30 minute stop for lunch!)

Group: Martyn, Sue and Michel, Tim, David S., Wendy and Celia.

We set off in warm sunshine, hoping that it would the rain forecast for around mid-day wouldn't materialise and the wind wouldn't get too strong or cold! We did get a few spots as we were having  lunch, but no more. At times the wind was a little on the cold side, especially on the coast and the return leg, but at least it was on our back pushing us along! Whenever the wind dropped it almost felt too warm for the gear we were wearing!

 The only disappointment of the day was not seeing the sections of Pont Draig being raised, but we did at least see them in the upright position and slowly descending, all be it from a distant.

 Although we didn't see any Snow buntings we did see a good number of birds. These included: Blackbird, House sparrow, Carrion crow, Raven, Black-headed gull, Herring gull, Great black-backed gull, Common gull, Mute swan, Jackdaw, Common coot, Moorhen, Tufted duck, Mallard, Teal, Wigeon, Kestrel, Goosander, Red-breasted merganser, Common redsahank, Great cormorant, Oystercatcher, Common teal, Eurasian curlew, Chaffinch, Feral pigeon, Woodpigeon, Collared dove, Grey heron, Black-billed magpie and Lapwing. I'm almost sure I saw a Chiffchaff, but it is a little early really!

 This is always a pleasant walk when it doesn't rain or you don't have to battle the elements.

 Afterwalk drinks were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn at Pentre Halkyn, where the Lees bitter went well and they lit the second fire for us as we went in.

Holywell to Flint Castle 3rd January 2015

Greenfield Dock - the start of walk along the Coastal Path.

A reminder that the boats in Greenfield Dock are fishing boats.

Looking West from Bettisfield towards Greenfield.

Looking West towards Bettisfield.

Our first view of Flint Castle.

Flint Castle in the sunshine.

Walk stats: Distance: 8.0 miles. Climb: 168'.

Time: 4 hours 9 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.4 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.9 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn and Roger.

The forecast was for heavy rain in the morning, gradually clearing and becoming dry in the afternoon. This was just what we experienced with it raining quite heavily for the first five miles up to lunch time  when the rain stopped and we finished the walk in bright sunshine.

 We didn't linger much as we walked from Holywell through the Greenfield Heritage Park and on to the coast.

 On the coastal section, the tide was still was still in  quite close and it wasn't until we approached Flint Dock that the tide had ebbed significantly.

 Birds seen or heard today included: Tufted duck, Moorhen, Common coot, Chaffinch, Common blackbird, Mute swan, Mallard, Black-headed gull, Herring gull, Little egret, Pied wagtail, Great tit, European robin, Linnet, Woodpigeon, Oystercatcher, Common redshank, Eurasion curlew, Great cormorant, Great black-backed gull, Grey heron, Common teal, Common starling, Jackdaw, Carrion crow and Shelduck.

 After all the Seasonal excesses eight miles was enough, so we were happy to head for the Blue Bell Inn at Halkyn. The wood burning fire gave us a warming welcome and the Snowdonia Ale went down well, as did the Sleighed Santa Cider.

2014 Statistics

2014 Walk Statistics.

Total number of walks: 76.

Total number of Thursday (mid-week) walks: 49.

Total number of Saturday walks: 27.

Total distance walked: 690 miles.

Total height climbed: 78,818'.

The largest number on any walk : 12.

Break down of Thursday / Mid-week walks.

Cheshire or Wirral : 8.

North Wales: 41.

Break down of Saturday walks. 

Cheshire: 6.

Peak District: 2.

Lancashire: 2

Shropshire: 2

North Wales: 15

Those involved in 2014:- Martyn Harris, Fran Murphy and Tito Ravazzolo, Sue and Michel Pelissier, Annie Hammond, Sue and Dave Pearson, Mike Dodd, David Savage, Carole Herbritt, Celia de Mengle, Wendy and Ian Peers, Roger Smith, Tim and Carol Dwyer, Paul Collinson, Phil Marsland, Sylvia and Dave Jenkins, Margaret Smith, Sheila and Gordon McNee, Nigel Taylor, Elaine Greenhalgh, Vicky Clarke, Catherine Murphy.

Happy New Year to Everyone.

Let's hope for many good walks in 2015 with not too much testing of our waterproof gear.

Hilbre Island and More 1st January 2015

A Red-breasted merganser on the Marine Lake.

Heading for Little Eye and on to Hilbre Island.

Heading for Little Eye.

Heading for Middle Eye.

Lunch on Hilbre Island.

Celia isn't the only one that needs to use a mobile phone on a walk!

Walk stats: Distance: 5.9 miles. Climb: 833' (wind assisted on the GPS) but nearer 80' in reality!

Time: 3 hours 3 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.4 m.p.h. (wind assisted!).  Overall walk average: 1.9 m.p.h. (Lunches are taking longer these days!)

Group: Martyn, Annie, Sue and Michel, Celia and Wendy.

 Weather forecast suggested temperatures to be between 12 and 14 Celsius, so this was obviously a shorts weather day no-one else in the group thought so!

 Not a lot to say about this route really, no problems in  terms of where we were heading and no difficult stiles to cross. The only problem today was the ever increasing wind strength which thankfully was at its strongest as we headed towards the car at the end of the walk!

 We managed to find a sheltered spot on the Eastern end of Hilbre Island to have our "lunch". Fortified fruit cake was provided, but when the Rangers stopped to chat to Michel, they didn't breathalyse him as he had two pieces of cake! He wasn't the only one!

 As the tide retreated a few Common seals could be seen on the sand bank to the West of Hilbre Island.

 There were plenty of birds to see. These included: Oystercatcher, Red-breasted merganser, Herring gull, Black-headed gull, Feral pigeon, Turnstone, Brent goose, Common redshank, Knot, Dunlin, Shelduck, Grey heron, Eurasian curlew, Carrion crow, Great cormorant, Great crested grebe and Little egret.

 After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Wheatsheaf Inn at Raby, where the wood burning stove always ensures you have a warm welcome - the Brimstage, Trappers Hat also went down well.