A Gresty's Waste Round via Manley Common 9th December 2020

A Gresty's Waste Round via Manley Common.

At Pale Heights with an unexpected friend.

A muddy field ahead.

Lunchtime at Manley.

Distance: 9.5 miles, Climb: 960'.
Time: 4.5 hours, Overall walking average: 2.1 m.p.h.
Walkers: Mike, David, Fran, Nigel, Sue and Michel
With a temp of around 7deg and no wind whatsoever this was a good day for walking. Whilst we were putting on our boots we noticed our good friend Dave Jenkins was about to walk from the same car park. It was great to see him.
Taking an early right from the main path we took the stile on to the old Roman Road towards Stoney Lane, but we soon left it to climb a muddy track in a straight line up to Pale Heights. Visibility was not good from the top, so we soon descended in the direction of Eddisbury Wood; a pleasant descent and new to some. The new cafe/visitor centre is quite impressive, but we resisted the lure of coffee and cake and proceeded to cross the railway line and head towards the eastern edge of Blakemere Moss, passing trough the GoApe High Wire Attraction on our way.
There was no cacophony of birds on the lake today as we skirted round and headed for the forest on the other side of Ashton Lane. Leaving the forest path to take a stile across the western edge of a field we headed north to Pinewood Farm and then in a westerly direction along a good track. After about a mile we came across the building work for Forest Holidays; something which has caused great concern to many. The track soon became difficult to pass due to long sections of deep mud and water, but eventually we reached the point on the path where we had to take a left to walk across a field. Beeston Castle and Peckforton Hills could be seen in the distance as we walked towards the stile to take us on to the road down to Manley Common; where a wall was a perfect location to have lunch.
From here we picked up the Sandstone Trail leading us back into the forest, and across Ashton Lane towards a bridge over the railway line. Following a steady incline of the Sandstone Trail we headed south back towards the car park. Birds seen or heard included: great spotted woodpecker and European robin.

Moel Famau from Bwlch Penbarra 9th December 2020

Moel Famau from Bwlch Penbarra Including Exploring a "new to me path.

Moel Famau from the new to me forest track.

A different gate to Moel Famau.

Moel Famau is getting closer.

Looking east towards Cheshire from the Jubilee Tower on Moel Famau.

Snow on the Berwyns seen from the Jubilee Tower on Moel Famau.

Approaching a decision - should I take the left path or the right path.

Looking back towards Moel Famau from grassy higher path.

Looking over the Vale of Clwyd to a snow covered Snowdon.

Distance: 3.6 miles. Climb: 932'.
Time: 2 hours 0 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.4 m.p.h.Overall walk average: 1.8 m.p.h.
Group: Martyn.

It was a little on the cool side, but with very little wind, this was a good day for visiting the Jubilee Tower on Moel Famau.

I set off from the Bwlch Penbarra Car Park (Pay and Display only £1-50 and still some people are too mean to pay and park on the roadside nearby). I decided to explore the forest track that headed north eastward from the car park, eventually turning a corner and climbing steeply back to the main Offa's Dyke Path.

Moel Famau is always a popular place to visit, and today was no exception, although I did have the Jubilee Tower to myself for about five minutes,

Distant views were limited, although you could still see that snow covered the Berwyns and Snowdon.

The strength of the wind only seemed to increase as it funnelled up the stairway to the top of the Jubilee Tower.

There were plenty of new purple coloured notices by the paths, all requesting the dogs should be kept on leads, not all were, but the dogs I did see were all well behaved.

Birds seen or heard today were very few, but included:- Carrion crow, Raven, Black billed magpie and Meadow pipit.

As i approached the grassy higher path back to Bwlch Pebarra, I was a little concerned that I might have to take evaive action from a model airoplane that was being flown. Thankfully the "pilot" spotted me and kept the plane flying about fifty feet above me.

Back at the car by mid-day and looking forward to a hot drink which I enjoyed when I got home - I had forgotten to put the flask in my rucksack!

Overall a very enjoyable walk.

Another Great Orme Round 5th December 2020

Another Great Orme Round.

Misty views towards Anglesey as we set off along Marine Drive.

The Monks' Path.

On the limestone plateau of the Great Orme.

At the trig point on the Great Orme.

Guess who - at the trig point on the Great Orme.

At the trig point on the Great Orme.

Looking over Happy Valley towards Llandudno Bay and the Little Orme.

The Sun startin to set over the Carneddau.

West shore from the "invalids walk" path.

A sad looking boating lake without any water.

Distance: 7.5 miles. Climb: 1427'.

Time: 4 hours 41 ninutes. On the move waking average: 2.0 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.6 m.p.h.
Group: Martyn and Mike.

A later start than ususual, as the forecast suggested rain upto about 10-00, so we didn't leave Saltney until just after 09-00.  It proved the right decision as the rain had moved on by the time we arrived at the West Shore. 

It seems strange to see the boating lake drained, presumeably to allow necessary work to be carried before the Summer season 2021.

Our walk today started by following Marine Drive and then using the Monk's Path to reach the summit plateau.

We had the trig point to ourselves, a rarity in itself, before descending into Happy Valley where we had lunch in the shelter with views down the valley towards the pier.

After a leisurely lunch, we returned to the summit plateau using the path on the south side of the ski slopes, before descending the "Igam ogam" to the "invalids walk" path and back to the West Shore and the start.

Distant views weren't crystal clear, but at times the light was quite atmospheric, especially towards the end of the walk and the Sun had started to go down.

Birds seen or heard today were very few, but did include: European robin, Carrion crow, Meadow pipit, Common blackbird, Jackdaw, Herring gull and Red billed chough.

Overall a very enjoyable walk and the first time for a long time that I have been able to walk with a friend from across the border! It needed to be celebrated with a suitable drink from a local hostelry, but alas the Welsh Government has banned all pubs from selling all alcoholic drinks!

Llanfairfechan, Traeth Lafan and The Spinnies Nature Reserves 2nd December 2020.

Llanfairfechan, Traeth Lafan and The Spinnies Nature Reserves

A pair of Red breasted merganser on the Llanfairfechan boating lake.

Four Mute swan at Llanfairfechan boating lake.

The Horse Memorial located in the Morfa Madryn Nature Reserve.

It must be a pair of Mute swans in the Morfa Madryn Nature Reserve,

Conservation workers on the Morfa Madryn Nature Reserve.

Wigeon and Brent geese east of Morfa Aber Nature Reserve.

Penmon Lighthouse in the Sun.

Oystercatchers taking tothe air.

Birds on the feeders at the Riley Hide at The Spinnies Nature Reserve.

Beaumaris Castle in the Sun.

Ed decides to go round the "mud climb challenge"!

The latest approach to coastal erosian,

Distance: 11.9 miles. Climb: 322'.
Time: 5 hours 28 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.7 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.1 m.p.h.
Group: Martyn and Ed.

A good day for walking, and not quite as cold has the forecasts suggested. In fact when the Sun appeared out of the clouds it was pleasantly warm.

The tide was pretty close to shore so we had plenty of birds to see. Ed decided he wante to find the "Horse Memorial" , so we made a detour around the Morfa Madryn Nature Reserve.  The unusual memorial to Kingsford (1922-32) and Kinnaird (1920-31), were two racehorses partly owned by Henry Platt who owned lots of property around Llanfairfechan.

Views across the Irish Sea improved as the morning progressed with Anglesey appearing to be in sunshine for most of the day. However the lower hills of the Carneddau in contrast were in cloud/mist for most of the time.

Birds seen or heard today included: House sparrow, Oystercatcher, Black headed gull, Red breasted merganser, Mallard, Turnstone, Shelduck, Mute swan, Eurasian curlew, Wigeon, Teal, Herring gull, Brent goose, Common blackbird, Lapwing, Common chaffinch, Moorhen, Coal tit, Blue tit, Great tit, Bullfinch, Collared dove, Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Common redshank, Black tailed godwit, European robin and Pintail.

Lunch was taken at he coastal ca park near The Spinnies where we took advantage of the one remaining picnic table. Once again we were blessed with the Sun shining on us throughout lunch.

After lunch, we visited The Spinnies before before returning to Llanfairfechan along the Wales Coast Path. despite the "mud" hazard located west of Morfa Aber.

We arrived back at llanfairfechan to be met by two of Ed's friends who gave him a certificate that Ed had for being a member of their doubles bowling team (competion was just before all of the covid restrictions were put in place in March 2020).

After my walk, I headed to the Britannia Inn at Halkyn, where I was able to enjoy a pint of Lees Bitter, before the Welsh Government latest covid restrictions that prevents pubs from selling alcochol unless it is with a substantial meal.

Harris Hikers Chester Branch . A Bickerton Poacher Round 2 2nd December 2020

A Bickerton Poacher Round 2.

Autumn leaves clinging on.

Views over Cheshire fields.

Blue skies over Cheshire.

Distance: 8 miles 

Climb: 1,250 ft
Time: 4¼ hrs. Overall walk average: 1.8 m.p.h.
Walkers:: Sue & Michel, Fran, Nigel, Mike, David S (Leader) 
This was our first walk in Tier 2 Cheshire. Rain was threatening as we crossed the road from the car park to tackle the first ascent of the day. As we descended the gentle slope towards Burwardsley we had heavy cold drizzle. It soon cleared and as we passed the Pheasant it was dry. At the end of the ridge we turned right and after a short period on the road entered Peckforton Castle ground through a splendid gatehouse. This led to the second climb of the day and a little over the high point of the ridge we stopped for lunch. A very steep set of steps led us down onto the Sandstone Trail at Peckforton Gap. By this time the sun was through and the light and the views to the north west were superb. Following the trail back to the cars was straight forward although it included our third climb. We declined to climb Bulkeley Hill to the reservoir but instead skirted round the bottom of it.

A Coastal Walk Between Llanddulas and Colwyn Bay 1st December 2020

A Coastal Walk Between Llanddulas and Colwyn Bay.

Common scoter on the sea off shore at Llanddulas.

An Oystercatcher on the rocks.

Objective number 1 in sight.

The sandy beach at Colwyn Bay.

Metal sculptures near Porth Eirias.

Objective number 2 - the new Colwyn Bay pier under construction.

Turnstones on the rocks.

Distance: 8 miles. Climb: 328'.
Time: 3 hours 7 minutes. On the move walking average: 3.0 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.5 m.p.h.
Group: Martyn.

I had two objectives on this walk, the first was to cross the A55 on the way to Old Colwyn and second to see how far the building of the new pier at Colwyn Bay had progressed.

The day started well, as soon as I arrived at the Llanddulas Beach car park, I spotted a small raft of nine Common scoters on the sea about 100 metres off shore, one of my best views of this bird.

Both of my objectives were realised, but approaching Colwyn Bay, ther was an impressive new building called Porth Eirias. You could walk over the roof, giving superb views along the coast and out to sea,

As expected the building of the new pier has only just started, but it will be interesting to see it when it has been completed.

Birds seen or heard today included: Common scoter, Black headed gull, Herring gull, Oystercatcher, Common blackbird, European robin, House sparrow, Meadow pipit, Turnstone and Goosander.

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.