Another Leasowe to New Brighton Round 13th February 2019

Leading the way to New Brighton along the beach.

Fort Perch Rock seems along way off.

Looking back towards Leasowe.

Looking across the Mersey towards Crosby Beach.

Are there any Gormley Statues in the picture?

A close up of part of Crosby Beach and the Gormley Statues.

Fort Perch Rock  - nearly there.

Fort Perch Rock Lighthouse.

Common redshank and Turnstones on the pontoon in New Brighton Marine lake.

Common redshank on the pontoon in New Brighton Marine lake..

Bottle up on the pontoon in New Brighton Marine lake..

Paddy's wigwam on the Liverpool skylaine.

Walk stats:Distance: 9.3 miles (9.5 miles). Climb: 261'.

Time: 4 hours 17 minutes. On the ove walking average: 2.7 m.p.h. (3.0 m.p.h.). Overall walk average: 2.2 m.p.h.

( Newest GPS values).

Group: Martyn, David S, Roger, Paul and Scrumble (as far as the Leasowe Look Out Post).

 We arrived  at the start to be welcomed by the iconic sound of Skylarks singing above the common towards Leasowe Lighthouse.

This was a good day for walking with very little chance of rain, temperatures in double figures and only gentle winds to cool us down a little. This was pretty accurate, except at times it did feel a little chilly, although I was never tempted to put a jacket on.

 The tide was well out, particularly in the morning, and we were able to walk along the beach all the way to Fort Perch Rock and beyond to the pirate ship drift wood creation (with a little detour for convenience).

 Paul and Scrumble joined us for the first part of the walk, but then had to head back.

 On our outward journey we only saw three ships heading out to sea towards the Irish Sea.

 After visiting the pirate ship. we returned to the  Marine Lake and enjoyed the luxury facilities of one of the wind shelters for our lunch break.

 After lunch we headed off along the promenade back towards Leasowe, with the South westerly wind in our faces, and it wasn't long before Roger (not having any natural insulation) had to stop to put his warmer jacket on.

 As we approached the Leasowe start of our walk, any thoughts that I had of extending the walk even the short walk to the lighthouse was not received with any enthusiasm and we went strait back to the cars. This was the longest walk for some time for some of the group and they were looking forward to taking their boots off and sitting down.

 Birds seen or head today included: Skylark, House sparrow, Carrion crow, Black-billed magpie, Pied wagtail, Oystercatcher, Turnstone, Purple sandpiper, Black-headed gull, Herring gull, great cormorant, Common redshank and Fedral pigeon.

 Overall a good walk, especially if you wanted to build up a few miles in your legs, but I suspect one member of the group would add - "except for the dogs".

 After walk drinks we enjoyed at the Wheatsheaf in Raby, where Brimstage's Trapper's hat and Titanic's Plum Porter went down well. Surprisingly on this occasion the Wheatsheaf was quiet and the fire in the room  to the right of the bar as you get served, hadn't yet been lit.

Around Clip-yr-Orsedd and the Druids Circle 9th February 2019.

First views of Anglesey and Puffin Island as we climbed out of Llanfairfechan.

Puffin Island from Henar Farm.

The first two Welsh ponies seen today as we reached the end of the quarry track.

Clip-yr-Orsedd ahead, but we decided ti contour around the south side.

"Keep still I'm hungry."

Looking over Penmaenmawr towards the Great Orme.

A few more Welsh ponies as we followed the track to the Druids Circle.

The Druids Circle from the West.

At the Druids Circle.

The Valley leading to Llanfairfechan.

The locals that surprised me on their dog walk through Nant-y-Coed Nature Reserve.

The Afon Llanfairefechan fro near our lunch spot.

Looking across the valley towards the route we had taken in the morning.

Taken from the Terrace Walk.

Walk stats: Distance: 7.3 miles. Climb: (2140' GPS wind assisted reading). 1500' (Memory Map route value):  

Time: 4 hours 0 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.5 m.p.h,. Overall walk average: 1.8 m.p.h. (Due to extended lunch break!).

Group: Martyn and Jim.

The forecast for the day made me think twice about walking at all. Yes it would be dry and not too cold, but the predicted wind of 27 m.p.h. and gusting even higher put doubts in my mind.

 Thankfully  I chickened out of making that early morning call to Jim in order to cancel the walk.

 On most of the climb we had the wind with us, and the views towards Puffin Island and Anglesey were superb. Even looking back over Llanfairefechan was good, but the Carneddau's higher peaks were never clear.

  It was only when we reached open hillside as we approached Clip-yr-Orsedd that we felt the full force of the strong winds. We decided to contoured around the south side of  Clip-yr-Orsedd and leave the traverse of this little hill to a less windy day.

 It was delightfuyl to see Welsh ponies , some foals still feeding from the mares, and in all e saw about 24 ponies, most close to the Druid's Circle, grazing in the lee of Moefre.

  After visiting the Druids Circle, we followed the North Wales Path towards Llanfairfechan and looking for a suitable sheltered spot for lunch.

 We didn't find one until we reached the Nant-y-Coed Nature Reserve, where we found suitable perching spots and some shelter from the wind.

 As we had our lunch, we had a steady stream of dog walkers passing us, but to my surprise I knew two of them from my teaching days in Upton. It was Lynn and Rebecca L and her new canine friend, Scout. How uplifting it is when you get pleasant surprises like this. Another sign of Spring, one tree in the Nature Resrve had catkins.

. The rest of the walk was just a pleasant stroll along the Terrace Walk back into Llanfairfechan, all the time with superb views over the village towards the sea with blue skies above.

  Arriving back at the car we had enjoyed a superb walk, perhps a little on the short side, but still well worth doing.

 Birds seen or heard today included: European robin, Common blackbird, Common buzzard, Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Red billed chough Blue tit, Woodpigeon and Raven.

 After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Blue Bell Inn at Halkyn, where Lees Bitter and Gwyn-y-draig cider went down well.

A Burton and Parkgate Round 6th February 2019

Heading inland from the Old Quay.

Building bridges by numbers.

On an bridge arch over the Neston Cutting.

Wood sculpture At our lunch spot.

Eurasian curlew in the field behind our lunch spot.

One of five Little egrets in a cattle field.

A delightful section of the path (on the Sandstone bedrock) from Windle hill towards Ness.

This must be the only gateway of its kind in existence, but perhaps you know better!

Snowdrops next to the path from Ness to Orchard House.

Back at the car and looking towards Parkgate and the way we had set off four hours ago.

Time for a celebratory drink after completing the first walk after a few weeks enforced breaks.

Walk stats: Distance: 8.0 miles. Climb: 215'.

Time: 4 hours 2 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.6 m.p.h. (2.8 m.p.h.) on my newest GPS). Overall walk average; 2.0 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Celia and David S.

Overall this was a good day for walking, dry, cool, but not too cold and very little wind and we even finished the walk in warm sunshine.

 We set off from our Station Road start along Denhall Lane towards Denhall Quay and on along the estuary towards Neston/Parkgate. As usual the section behind the reed beds was pretty muddy, but I have seen it much worse.

 Parkgate was pleasantly quiet and it was good to note that the PC were open. It is always a bonus  to find an PC open on a route.

 We were disappointed not to see any evidence of the reasonably high tide due about 12-10, but it was still too early for lunch, so we headed for the Wirral Way and the start of our return journey. e eventually arrived at the Lees Lane location of a delightful wood sculpture, where we were able to sit on sections of tree trunks / stumps to have our lunch.

 As we had lunch we could hear the sound of Eurasian curlews calling from the field behind us, but nearer to us we had a European robin singing, but alas it getting any reward for doing so.

 After lunch it was only a three mile stroll back to the start, but we still had to negotiate the busy Mill Lane leading into Ness from the A41.

 Along the track on the East side of Ness, there were  good splashes of Snowdrops in flower, the best we have seen this year - Spring has started!

 We decided to miss out on the delights of path finding through Burton Wood and headed down Denhall Lane back to the start.

 Birds seen or heard today include: Jackdaw, Grey heron, Mallard, European robin, Herring gull, Black headed gull, Lesser black back gull, Little egret, Eurasian curlew, Common blackbird, Pied wagtail, Dunnock, House sparrow, Goldfinch and Common kestrel.

 We arrived back at the car, having had a very pleasant and enjoyable walk and headed for a celebratory drink of Holt's Bitter at the Harp Inn at Little Neston, a local hostelry now open all day from 1200 and offering four real ales - always worth supporting.

Dates and Walks January 2019

Updated 17th January 2019.

Happy New Year

Hopefully we will be able to experience many great walks together.

Advanced Notice: Walkers Meal 2019.

Date: Wednesday 13th March 2019.

Proposed Location Pant-yr-Ochain, Gresford.

This is later than usual in order to avoid the February half-term holidays in Flintshire and Cheshire which together spread from 18th February to 3rd March 2019.

Towards the end of January I will endeavour to contact everyone I think may be interested.

Tuesday 1st January. 2019.


Hilbre Island.

Distance: 4-5 miles. Climb: 100' at a guess!

Start: South Parade, West Kirby Marine Lake. Park between the old baths and the Sailing Club at the Southern end of the lake Grid ref: SJ214860.

Leave Chester at 09-00.

It's a few years since we last did this walk on New Year's Day, but after looking at the Tide Guide, it looks like being a good option today. High tide is about 07-19, so we should be able to cross the sands following the tide as it goes out.

 Bring binoculars, their should be plenty of Wintering birds to see and hopefully seals too.

Fortified fruit cake will be provided, assuming that it hasn't all been eaten by those on the last two walks in December!

Wednesday 2nd January 2019

No planned walk.
Saturday 5th January 20180.

A Walk Around Hoylake and More.

Distance: 9 miles. Climb: 800'.

Start: Royden Country Park. Grid ref: SJ246858.

Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.

To get Royden Park, follow the A540 from Chester to Hoylake. After passing Thursaston Hill and Caldy Rugby Club, turn right at the roundabout onto Montgomery Hill (signposted Frankby). At the Farmers Arms turn right to stone gate post into Royden Park.

This walk is taken from Jen Darling's book "More Pub Walks in Cheshire and Wirral.

Thia is a new walk for me, although much of it has been covered in walks that we have done. Part of the walk follows the beach from Red Rocks to West Kirby and then goes around the Marine Lake. High tide is at around 10-15 and is a erelatively a big tide 9.0 m / 29.4', but by the time we get there, we shouldn't have any problems walking along the beach.



Wednesday 9th January 2019.





Penycloddiau and Moel Arthur.

Distance: 7-9 miles. Climb: 1380'.

Start: Llangwyfan Forestry car park: SJ138668

Leave Chester 09-00 a.m.

This walk combines two walks taken from Dave Berry's book "Walks in the Clwydian Hills".  This area of the Clwydians has so much to offer, and Moel Arthur and Penycloddiau are particularly good.  On a good day the views from both hill forts are superb.






Saturday 12th January 2019.

Prestatyn, Talacre and The Point of Ayr.


Distance: 10 miles.(Less if we don't do the Point of Ayr loop). Climb: 200'.



Start at Prestatyn Barkby Beach.. I suggest that you park at Beach Hotel car park, (£2-00) On our visit in January 2019 , this is the same as the pay and display car park!) on the large parking area by the PC,  Grid ref: SJ068839



Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m. You will need to go into the hotel to purchase a car park ticket.



This is a walk that is always on the list at this time of the year, as it is always a good time to see Little terns, so bring binoculars with you. Hopefully we will see orchids too.

High tide is at about 14-30, and is about 27.4', so we go through the Golf Course, Caravan Park and The Warren Nature Reserve on the way to Talacre and the Point of Air.We will take lunch using one of the picnic tables along the path leading to the Point Of Air. We will decide on the day whether to extend the walk as far as the RSPB observation point. Our return route will be along the beach. 


Wednesday 16th January 2019.







Thurstaston Common, Stapledon Wood, Caldy and More.

On Tuesday I will be out from 07-00 in the morning, 

so contacting me by text or e-mail are the best options.

Alternatively contact me on Monday. 

Distance: 7-8 miles. Climb: 700'

Start: Thursaston Visitor Centre Car Park. Grid ref:SJ239835.

Leave Chester at 9-00 a.m.

This is a repeat of the walk that we did on 1st January 2010 and combines two walks from Raymond Roberts' booklet "Wirral Walks - the West Wirral Six". This is a relatively easy walk with good views along the way, especially from Thurstaston Hill. We hope to walk back Thursaston along the beach, so bring binoculars with you. High tide is at 08-07, and is a 24.4' tide (7.4 m), By the time we get there, it will be almost low tide, so we should have no problems walking along the beach.


Saturday 19th January 2019.






Tegg's Nose and Macclesfield Forest. 

Postponed - weather forecast for Macclesfield Forest predicts temperatures of 1 Celsius, but feeling like - 6 Celsius and probably snow.

See below for the replacement walk.

Start: Tegg's Nose Country Park Car park. Pay and Display. Grid ref: SJ950732.

Leave Chester at 08-30 a.m.

This walk is taken from the "Pathfinders Guide to Cheshire". It is described as a varied walk with good views from Tegg's Nose. We will visit Tegg's Nose first, rather than at the end of the walk. The walk is also described as an undulating walk exploring the countryside on the edge of the Peak District. This is a walk that we have come to like and regularly appears on the list at this time of the year. Wintering birds sometime visit the many reservoirs we walk around, so it is useful to bring binoculars just in case.






Replacement Walk.

Leasowe Lighthouse to New Brighton.


Distance: 9-10 miles. Climb: 200'.



Start: North Wirral Coastal Park car park. Grid ref: SJ257915.



To get to this car park, instead of turning left towards the lighthouse, as the A551 turns right onto Leasowe Road, go straight on (past PC block on right and cafe/snack hut on left). This car park has a good tarmac surface.

Leave Chester at 08-45 a.m.



Usually this is a walk along the beach to Perch Rock Fort, However this time, High tide is at about 09-20, 8.7 m, 28.5'. Although his is quite a low tide, we may have to walk along the promenade to Perch Fort Rock. From Perch Fort Rock, we will continue onto Vale Royal Park (where we in the past we have had lunch) and onto Wallasey Gardens. Hopefully the weather will be a little less windy than last recent years, but if it is there is always the Wind Shelters by the Marine lake to sit in as we have lunch.

 After lunch, if possible we will walk along the beach back to Leasowe



Hopefully there will be plenty of birds to see, so bring binoculars with if you have any.










Wednesday 23rd January 2019.



Around the Little Orme to Rhos On Sea.


Distance: 8-9 miles. Climb: 700'.



Start: Roadside parking next to Paddling Pool and PC on Coast Road at Craig y Don, East side of Llandudno.



Leave Chester at 08-45 a.m.



This has become a regular walk at any time of the year, but it will be the first time that we have done it in December. The views from the top of the Little Orme are always superb, but the main reason for doing the walk so early in the year is to see if there are any Seals around Porth Dyniewaid. I last did this walk on 2nd December when we saw at least 53 Grey seals.



Bring binoculars with you if you have them.

Low tide is about mid-day, so we should have a good chance of seeing Grey seals on the beach.

 As the tide should be well out for all of the walk, we should be able to walk along the beach, particullarly in Penrhyn Bay and maybe beyond.


Saturday 26th January 2019.



A Walk on Halkyn Mountain from the Blue Bell Inn.

Distance: 9-10 miles. Climb: 1000'.

Start: Common ground opposite the Blue Bell in, Halkyn. Grid ref: SJ209702.

Leave Chester at 08-45 a.m. (Always a bonus time to start for some!)

This is a walk devised by Steve (the former landlord at the Blue Bell Inn, Halkyn. It covers much of our regular walk that we do called "Halkyn Mountain, Limestone and Lead". However this route takes us in a clock-wise direction and around Moel-y-Gaer before heading to Rhes-y-cae. It also takes us  around the North of the Pen-y-Henblas quarry - we have only seen the quarry from its Southern side.

Wednesday 30th January 2019


A Walk Around Waen, Aberwheeler and Llandyrnog.

Postponed due to bad weather  snow and ice warnings of treacherous road conditions in Flintshire.

Distance : 9 miles. Climb: 600'.

Start: Aberwheeler  is on B5429. Approaching from the Mold road, turn left and after passing the play area and Bro Lleweni. This lane is opposite the chapel and the bus stop turning area. Park carefully in the lane next to the houses. Grid ref: SJ096693.

Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.

This is a walk taken from R.J.A. Dutton's book "Hidden Highways of North Wales". It explores the  Roman and Medieval Roads between Waen Aberwheeler and Llandyrnog. 

There is a good chance that this walk will be adapted to use quiet lanes if the riverside route looks boggy.

Moel y Gaer and Around Halkyn Mountain 26th Jamuary 2019

The Clwydians from Moel y Gaer Hillfort ramparts.,

Res-y-cae and Halkyn Mountain ahead.

Lunch time in a small quarry North of Pen-y-pwll-dwr quarry.

The Clwydians from the trig point on Halkyn Mountain.

The Dee estuary from the trig point on Halkyn Mountain.

The route to Windmill from the trig point on Halkyn Mountain.

Walk stats: Distance 8.1 miles. Climb: 1506' (Wind assisted GPS reading). Realistically about 900' (Memory Map).

Time: 3 hours 56 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.6 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.0 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn and Jim.

We weren't sure what weather to expect, but strong gusty winds and rain were on the forecasts for later in the day.

In fact it was quite mild and at times sunny, and the wind di pick up just before lunch time, but we only felt a few spots of rain as we arrived back at the car. 

 Distant views from Moel y Gaer Hillfort were quite good, but the summit of Moel Famau was in cloud.

 In the recent past, the path on the West side of North of Pen-y-pwll-dwr quarry had been closed while work by the quarry owners was taking place. Thankfully the route was now  open, so we didn't have to take any detours to get to the North  side of the quarry.

 As we climbed the track between Bryn Mawr Quarry and Pen yr Henblas Quarry the wind picked. Approaching lunch time we started to look for a suitable sheltered spot, and eventually decided on a small quarry North of Pen-y-Pwll-dwr quarry which we had used in the past.

 Plenty of stones were available to sit on and for the whole of lunch we we bathed in warm sunshine and the wind seemed to have dropped a little.

After lunch we arrived at the trig point on Halkyn Mountain and Moel Famau was still in cloud. It was only as we crossed Halkyn Mountain towards Windmill that the wind increased in strength, but it never gusted to the extent that some forecasters had predicted.

 We arrived back at the car, having had a good walk, still dry although our boots were muddy underneath.

 Birds seen or heard today included: Woodpigeon, House sparrow, Collared dove, Jackdaw, Meadow pipit, Fieldfare and European robin.

 after walk drinks wee enjoyed at the Blue Bell In at Halkyn, where Weetwood's Best Bitter and Gwyn-y-Draig's Black dragon cider went down well

PC to PC and Back via the Little Orme 23rd January 2019

Oystercatchers and one Herring gull on the shore at Craig-y-Don.

A Fulmar at its chosen nesting site on the quarry cliffs East of the Little Orme.

Grey seals in Porth Dyniewaid (Angel Bay) on our first visit.

"Are you looking bat me?"

A Grey seal close to shore in Penrhyn Bay.

Turnstones on the rock sea defences in Penrhyn Bay.

Looking towards the Clwydians from St Trillo's Chapel.

A few more Grey seals on the beach in Porth Dyniewaid (Angel Bay) on our second visit.

At the start of the climb up the incline to the upper quarry.

A ship in the Irish Sea with snow capped hills in the Lake District behind.

Snow on the Carneddau.

At the trig point on Little Orme Head.

Looking across Llandudno Bay to the Great Orme from  Little Orme Head.

Walk stats: Distance: 8.7 miles. Climb: 975'.

Time: 4 hours 34 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.5 m.p.h. (2.7 m.p.h. on my newest GPS).

Group: Martyn, Sue and Michel and Ed.

We arrived at the Craig-y-Don start just as it stopped raining. On the cool side at 5 Celsius, but that was what we were expecting. The wind was only slight and it wasn't long before the warm sunshine made us feel inappropriately dressed in our Winter gear.

 As a change on this occasion we left visiting trig point on Little Orme Head until the return journey, and instead went round the South side of the Little Orme to the  Porth Dyniewaid (Angel Bay) quarry to look for seals.

 I got it wrong, and we arrived at Porth Dyniewaid (Angel Bay) just before high tide . With very little beach exposed, there was little chance of seeing lots of seals. We did see about five grey seals , three on the beach and a couple in the bay. our trip to Porth Dyniewaid (Angel Bay) hadn't been a complete waste of time asnd seeing the Fulmars taking up nesting sites was a bonus.

 The sun stayed with us all morning as far as Rhos Point, but unfortunately disappeared behind clouds as we sat down for lunch on the seats next to St. Trillo's Chapel.

 The tide was still too far inn for us to entertain any hopes of walking along he beach, so we had to retrace our steps to Porth Dyniewaid (Angel Bay).

 This time we did see more Grey seals, at least fifteen on the beach and about ten more in the water waiting for the tide to recede a little more before coming ashore.

  As we reached the cliffs above the upper quarry, spent a good few minutes looking across the sea, first seeing ships sailing an the noticing that mountins covered in snow behind - thery could only be the Lake District Fells.

 Arriving at the top of Little Orme Head, the view of the snow covered mountains of Snowdonia was much better being a little nearer.

 All that was left now was to return to the Coastal Path and follow it back to the start at Craig-y-Don Paddling Pool.

 Birds seen or heard today included: Herring gull, Black headed gull, Oystercatcher, Turnstone, Common starling, House sparrow, Common blackbird, Collard dove, Woodpigeon, Great cormorant, Sonechat, Jackdaw, Carrion crow and Eurasian curlew.

 Overall a very enjoyable walk, not a cold as we had expected and thankfully no more than a few minutes when it threatened to rain.

  After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn at Halkyn, where the Lees Bitter was excellent. It's a pity that I don't appreciate the landlord's sense of humour/comments to customers.

 We all agreed that climbing up the incline from the Porth Dyniewaid quarry is easier than descending as was the the path leading to the cliff tops above the upper quarry. A route well worth considering in the future.