Ed's Welsh Conwy Lockdown Wanders October 2020

Sunday 4th October

Short solo Angel bay wander 3 miles

Grey seal pup trying to get to mum.

"Slow down".

Made it, I'm ready for lunch.

 Thursday 8th October

A Fungus Foray from Llyn Crafnant up Mynydd Deulyn and Back via Llyn Geirionydd and a visit to the Clogwyn y Fuwch Slate Quarry. 

A Coral fungus? 

Decorative moss on a dead tree.

View from Mynydd Deulyn - on my first visit to this superb viewpoint.

Clogwyn y Fuwch Slate Quarry. 

Saturday 10th October

Alwen Reservoir loop (yes it's in Conwy just!) 

A wet 7 mile wal with Helen.

Rosy brittlegill?

Sunday 11th October

Painting the trig point on the Great Orme.

 A 5 miles walk  explorer the Great Orme with Alex and Lorraine.

The trig point on the Great Orme - needing some TLC.

I can see the paint container and brush, but where is the painter?

The trig point wearing its new coat of paint.

The cemetry west of St. Tudno's church seen from the Great Orme.

Two Moels and a Mountain Wednesday 14th October 2020

Two Moels and a Mountain.

The early morning Moon and a bright neighbour.

HM trig point o the horizon.

MH at the top of HM.

A Common kestrel resting on the pylon.

A Common kestrel resting on the pylon.

At the Moel- Ffagnallt Millenium Viewpoint.

The view from the Moel- Ffagnallt Millenium Viewpoint.

The second Moel ahead.

Moel Famau can be seen at last.

Distance: 8.1 miles. Climb: 720'.

Time: 4 hours 14 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.4 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.9 m.p.h. (obviously too much time taken over lunch with no-one around to encourage me to get going again!)

Group: Martyn.

The day started well when the early morning sky showed the Moon and a bright body near by (probably Mars) . I have never seen the crescent moon visible with the rest of the moon still visible at the same time.

Hence the reason for including a picture of the Moon, even though it wasn't rwally part pf my walk.

I arrived at my start, the common land opposite the Blue Bell at Halkyn at 09-15 and was ready to get going just after 09-15.

At this time it was still a bit misty, but at least it was dry with a gentle coolish breeze, enough for me to start wearing a lightweight jacket.

In fact distant views were misty all day, although by the end of the walk it was possible to see across the Dee estuary as far as the Wirral and Liverpool beyond.

It wasn't long before I hasd reached the trig point on Halkyn Mountain (HM) , but unusually it wasn't possible to see Moel Famau today.

The power lines are undergoing some major work in this area, with netting placed below the cables whereever they crossed roads.

Shortly afterwards, I decided I needed to fee some empathy with the rest of the group (walking on country lanes in Cheshire) , so used the country lanes to return to Rhes-y-cae , a distance of about 2.7 miles.

Regrettably I decided to take the most direct route up Moel - Ffagnalt, I had forgotten how unpleasant steep grassy slopes are!

Reaching the Millenium viewpoint was my lunch spot, and thankfully the Sun came out and it was pleasantly warm.

After lunch I headed for my second Moel, Moel-y-Crio, before heading back over Halkyn Mountain back to the start.

Birds seen or heard today included: Redwing and Fieldfare, House sparrow, Black billed magpie, Common starlng, Goldfinch, Common blackbird, Common pheasant, Winter wren, European robin, Collared dove, Woodpigeon, Common kestrel, Peregrine falcon, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Rook and Raven.

Once again I was able to celebrate a really enjoyable walk with a pint of Lees bitter at the Britannia Inn at Halkyn. they may be new landlords, but they still keep an excellent pint of Lees bitter.

Harris Hikers - Chester Branch Wendy's Local Country Lane Walk 14th October 2020.

Wendy's Local Country Lane Walk.

Everyone ready to go.

Autumnal colours showing already.

Local flooding?

Local residents in abundance.

Walking on country lanes in our area.

Distance: 7.3 miles. Climb: Not a lot!

Time: 3 hours 30 minutes, Overall walking average: 2.1 m.p.h.
Wendy, Celia, Fran, David and Nigel
At the beginning of the walk we were taken on a slight detour by David to see a sluice pipe, then back en route for a stroll through the lanes close to Upton, taking in Wervin, Picton and Picton Gorse. The weather was fine with views across the waterlogged fields to Helsby. We stopped by an entrance to a footpath to eat our lunch; unfortunately no rocks, tree stumps or benches, only a gate to lean against. However a pleasant stretch of our legs and an opportunity to catch up with Celia

Harris Hikers - Chester Branch A Bickerton Round Wednesday 7th October 2020.

A Bickerton Round, including part of the Sandstone Trail.

At the start.

Good views from Rawhead?

Lunchtime at Rawhead.

Just to prove I was there!

Not all stiles are easy.

Interesting fungi on a tree the the top f the tramway.

Distance: 7.5 Miles, Climb: 1,200'.
Time: 4 Hrs.
Group: David S (leader) ,Sue & Michel Fran , Nigel and Wendy.
Beginning from the Bickerton Poacher some very muddy fields were tackled to reach the Sandstone Trail in the vicinity of Mad Allen’s hole. We saw neither him nor it. Navigation was easy along the Sandstone Trail to reach Rawhead where lunch was taken on a handy bench and some well spaced rocky steps. The trail was again followed almost to the top of Coppermine Road where the lane to the left was followed allowing a loop back onto the Trail to return to the Poacher by way of Bulkeley Hill.
The weather was especially kind, especially after the heavy rain of the previous two days and the main footpaths were surprisingly dry. The views across to Wales and Lancashire were also enjoyable.

Holywell Common, Pantasaph and More Wednesday 7th October 2020

Holywell Common, Pantasaph and More.  

The first of my local lockdown Flintshire Walks.

I couldn't resist this, although in reality the section I explored today was Holywell Mountain, which is of course part of Halkyn Mountain.

The Clwydians ahead, above the track over Holywell Common.

The Peny-Ball Monument, viewed from the south.

Moel Famau and Moel y Parc from the path east of the friary.

The the Church of St. David at Franciscan Friary at Pantasaph.

Not the quickest around the racecourse.

No re-routing need today.

Before.

After.

The view from the Britannia Inn at Halkyn as I was leaving.

Distance: 7.8 miles. Climb: 610'.

Time: 3 hours 5 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.5 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.0 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn.

Not needing to wait for anyone else to arrive, I set off across Holywell Common at 09-30. Bright skies, but the cool wind forced me to wear my waterproof jacket from the start.

I decided to complete this walk in an anticlockwise direction, the opposite way to the normal way we complete the walk.

It wasn't long before I was crossing the A55 with the Pen-y-Ball Monument on the skyline ahead. Approaching The Franciscan Friary, I explore an alternative path to using the road route, but wasn't able to find the path from the second field. All wasn't lost as there was a a gate leading onto the friary access road.

The route around Holywell Racecourse was only contested by sheep, but they didn't seem to be keen on racing round the course.

I was only completing the eastern section of the racecourse, which was very fortunate as the gate from the road (southernmost side) was flooded to a depth that looked as though it would have resulted in getting wet feet.

Distant views we pretty good, especially towards the Clwydian Hills with Moel y Parc and Moel Famau easily identified.

Lunch was taken just after mid-day and exactly six miles after starting. I was able to take advantage of a picnic table near a bus stop, west of Holywell Golf Club. I could have had lunch in the bus shelter, sheltering from the cool breeze, but alas it was standing room only!

Afer lnch, it was less than two miles back to the start and I did consider extending the walk, but in the end I decided that I would have to "suffer" and go fro an early pint at the Brit!

Birds seen or heard today included: European robin, Goldfinch, Common chaffinch, Woodpigeon, Winter wren, Black billed magpie, Rook, Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Common buzzard and Common kestrel.

At the Brit, I spent a very enjoyable half an hour with the Sun shining through the window as I slowly downed my pint of Lees bitter, savouring every drop. Thankfully I could enjoy a little more of this superb bitter at home, having secured a takeway before leaving.

Walks and Dates October 2020

Flintshire will be under lockdown from 18-00 on Thursday 1st October 2020.

This means that once more Harris Hikers will be unable to function as usual under the new Covid Restrictions.

However - better options for the Chester members of the group.

Chester members of the group will continue to walk on Wednesdays, but they will have to liaise with each other and plan their own walks in England.

See separate post for details.

Saturday 3rd October 2020

Cancelled due to Local Covid Restrictions.

Wednesday 7th October 2020.

The Ceiriog Valley - Cefn-Hir-Fynydd 

and 

Bwlch-Adwy-Wynt.

Cancelled due to Local Covid Restrictions.

Distance: 8 -10 mles. Climb: 1250'. 

Start: Pontricket Layby. Grid ref: SJ186344.

Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.

This is a walk taken from David Berry's booklet " Walks Around the Berwyn Mountains and the Ceiriog Valley. The described walk start at Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog, but parking there isn't easy, hence extending the walk a little by starting at Pontricket.

The short walk involves descending the quite rocky sunken track back to Pontricket which most of us in the past have found rather unpleasant. The longer route avoids this but means thee is more uphill before descending through the Siambr gerrig valley.

The walk is a very varied walk with extensive views, and at one point follows a delightful section of the Upper Ceiriog Trail across Cefn-Hir-Fynydd t 1509'. Sections of the Ceiriog Valley Way are followed through fields and woodlands.

Please let me know as soon as you can if you intend to walk.
I will then add your name of those planning to walk to this post.

Those planning to walk to date:

Saturday 10th October 2020

Cancelled due to Local Covid Restrictions.

Wednesday 14th October 2020.

Gop Hill and More from Trelawnyd.

Cancelled due to Local Covid Restrictions.

Distance: 7-9 miles. Climb: 1300-1500'.
Start: Trelawnyd High Street Car Park: Grid ref: SJ091798.
Leave Chester: 09-00.
This is a walk taken from the Ramblers' Magazine "Walk". This is a variation of the walk we last did around Gwaenysgor. We will probably do a short extension to the trig point on Graig Fawr. We should get good views from Graig Fawr towards Snowdonia and the North Wales Coast.

Future Walks may be reinstated if the Welsh Government lifts the restrictions imposed on 1st October 2020.

Saturday 17th October 2020

To be arranged if we are allowed and there is any demand.

Please let me know as soon as you can if you intend to walk.
I will then add your name of those planning to walk to this post.

Those planning to walk to date:

We will all need to drive independently and keep to the 2m social distancing on the walk.

Wednesday 21st October 2020.

Holywell Common, Racecourse, Pantasaph and Pen-y-Ball Top. 

Cancelled due to Local Covid Restrictions.

Distance: 8-9 miles. Climb: 650'.
Start: Holywell Common, opposite the Crooked Horn, Brynford. Grid ref: SJ185740.
This is a variation of the walk that we have done many times, when we cross the common to Brynford on he way to the old racecourse.
Major roadworks in Flint where a one way system is in operation until the end of November.
We will only follow the Western side of the old racecourse and instead use the road to Pantasaph, before using field paths to get to Pen-y-Ball Top. After visiting Pen-y-Ball Monument take the new path on the west side of the monument to reach the track and the bridge over the A55 to the golf course and our usual route back to the start.

Please let me know as soon as you can if you intend to walk.

I will then add your name of those planning to walk to this post.

Those planning to walk to date: Martyn.

Saturday 24th October 2020

To be arranged if we are allowed and there is any demand.

Please let me know as soon as you can if you intend to walk.
I will then add your name of those planning to walk to this post.

Those planning to walk to date: Martyn. 

We will all need to drive independently and keep to the 2m social distancing on the walk.

Wednesday 28th October 2020.

Foel Fenlli and Cwm Blaenant.

To be reinstated if the Covid Lockdown is eased.

Distance: 6-7 miles.

Climb: 1524'

Start: Bwlch Penbarras car park (Pay and display).

Grid ref:SJ162606.

This walk is taken from Dave Berry's booklet "Walks on the Clwydian Hills". It is described as an interesting walk, visiting an impressive iron-age hill-fort. Sections mender along the Offa's Dyke footpath as far as the Clwyd Gate. The return route will take us through little known Western fringes of the Clwydian Hills. It includes attractive woodland paths  and explores a delightful hidden valley. Most of the walk is along clear paths with excellent views throughout.

 The walk is nominally shorter than usual, but the last time we completed this walk it was in August 2017, and we didn't bother with any extension, admittedly the weather wasn't good! However if the group are keen to extend the walk, it will be easy to do so. This is a decision we can leave until we get back to the cars if need be. There are plenty of tracks through the forest at Moel Famau Country Park to create a loop of whatever length we want.

Please let me know as soon as you can if you intend to walk.
I will then add your name of those planning to walk to this post.

Those planning to walk to date:

St. Cwyfan's Trail Wednesday 30th September 2020

St. Cwyfan's Trail. 

A mighty Oak tree s has fallen.

Standing infront f our many challenges of the day (except for stiles).

Moel y Parc above the maize?

Lunch time - we all said we had had lunch in worse spots!

The Clwydian Hills before the group split up.

Is this the start of Flintshire wine to come?

On the way to St. Cwyfan's - silence is not an option!

St. Cwyfan's Church at Llangwyfan.

Foulk Jones's Grave.

Distance: 9.4 miles. Climb: 770'.

Time: 5 hours 34 mintutes. On the move walking average: 2.1 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.7 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Nigel, Roger and Fran.

As this was likely to be the last Harris Hikers full group walk in Wales for some time, everyone that could made the effort to to walk, even though all weather forecast suggested we were very likely to get wet at any time. The best of the weather was in the morning, when wearing waterproofs wasn't really necessary. However the rain did start just before lunch, but we did manage to find a little shelter under a tree, using discarded building blocks/stone to sit on.

This was a varied walk, at times with post along the path with red markers, but no explanation why they were ther. In the afternoon the red markers had been replaced by blue, again with no explanation. 

Distant views were not brilliant, but we did get reasonable views of the Clwydian Hills, including Moel y Parc and Penycloddiau.  The Mynydd Marian and the hills behnd Llanddulas could also be seen.

Stiles all morning had been a challenge to us all, and a double stile near Y Wern defeated half of the group who had to divert using an alternatve path before rejoining the others before heading towards Llangwyfan.

We all visited St. Cwyfan's Church to see the grave of a Foulk Jones who had lived in three different centuries.

All of the stiles but one from St. Cwyfan's Church had been replqaced by new galvanised gates, a delightful and pleasing contrast to our earlier experiences. 

We tried to take a short cut just after Wern-fawr wood, but came unstuck, but spotted another path that allowed us to link with the original route.

By the time we were approaching Llandyrnog, it was raining again, so a change of cothes in the car was very welcome.

Birds seen or heard today were few and far between, but included: House sparrow, Common blackbird, Woodpigeon, Common buzzard, Common pheasant, Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Rook, European robin and Starling.

We arrived back at the car, having had an enjoyable walk despite its challenges with hardly ever any silence and as prescribed for health benefits much laughter!

Only half of the group were abe to head for the Blue Bell at Halkyn and enjoy a superb pint of J W Lees bitter before heading home.