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When? Started: 1993 Who? Started with staff and friends from U H S, Chester. Organiser: Martyn Harris We walk every Wednesday and Saturdays, New Years day and May Day. How many walk? Walks take place as long as there are at least 2 wanting to walk on that day. More walk on a Wednesday than on a Saturday. Most ever: 29. Current group size walking: 2-10 in mid-week and 2-4 on Saturday. Where do we walk? Saturday: Anywhere in North and Mid-Wales, Peak District, Shropshire and the Long Mynd and as far North as the Trough of Bowland. Thursday: Anywhere within about 40 miles of Chester. Type of walk: Distance: 6 – 14 miles (but usually under 10 miles). Climb: up to 4000’ (but usually very much less!). People involved on walks in 2020:- Martyn Harris, Fran Murphy, Sue and Michel Pelissier, Mike Dodd, David Savage, Wendy Peers, Celia de Mengle, Wendy and Ian Peers, Roger Smith, Paul Collinson, Ed Meads, Nigel and Elaine Taylor, Celia de Mengle, Sue Pearson.

Sunday 8 February 2009

Darnford Valley 7th February 2009

Looking across Church Stretton for our first views of Caer Caradoc in snow. The Lawley in snow.
Striding out across the Long Mynd.
Who is the lonely figure heading for the top of Bechcott Hill?
Not everyone was ready for the group photo!
The group at the car park on the top of the Long Mynd.
Walk stats: 13.0 miles;Climb:2064'.
Time:7 hours 1 minute; On the move walking average:2.3m.p.h.;Overall walk average:1.8 m.p.h.
Group:Martyn, Richard, Roger, Catherine, Mike D., Dave J and Sylvia, Fran and Tito, Celia and Laurence.
This was the largest Saturday group of the year. The weather was gloriously sunny throughout the day, and when sheltered from the wind it felt quite warm. The views of distant hills clad in snow were superb. Trekking through the snow across the top of the Long Mynd and the slopes of Betchcott Hill and later the route from Coates farm to the Long Mynd was quite a challenge with the snow being over 2' deep in places. Lunch was taken in the sheltered Golden Valley. The main challenge of the day ws the descent down Mott's Road where the snow had melted in the sun and the froze again making it quite slippy, hanging onto heather on this occasion was much appreciated! A long quite arduous walk, but one still enjoyed by all.
Birds seen or heard today were few, but included:Blackbird, Housesparrow, Blue tit, Great tit, Wren, Nuthatch, Carrion crow and Raven.
Alas the Ragleth Inn was closed so no-one was able to celebrate the completion of our fine walk!


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