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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.

Saturday 18 December 2010

Point of Ayr to Prestatyn 18th December 2010

Point of Ayr lighthouse surrounded by sea and the snow covered beach.
Teal on the flooded area near Prestatyn gutter.
Looking along the dunes towards Prestatyn.
Looking towards the Great Orme from Prestatyn.

Walk stats:Distance:10.1 miles; Climb:100'.
Time: 4 hours 38 minutes; On the move walking average:2.5 m.p.h.; Overall walking average:2.2 m.p.h.
Group:Martyn and Dave J.
Heavy snow had fallen in North west Wales, so we decided not to risk the trip to Conwy and instead decided to go a little nearer home. The route chosen was to walk along the beach from Talacre to Prestatyn, returning through the golf course and sand dunes and then visit the site of the former RSPB hide.
The weather was good, although at times the wind was biting and I had to wear a hat for much of the walk. Even some of the sea water puddles had started to freeze over. At one point we could see mountains near to Conwy clearly decked in snow and looking magnificent in the sunshine.
It was a good day for birds, even if result in our hands getting cold if we stopped for any length of time. Birds seen or heard today included:Skylark (including a flock of about 50 near the site of the old RSPB hide), Little egret, Meadow pipit, Blackbird, Redwing, Fieldfare, Mistle thrush, Woodpigeon, Collared dove, Common starling, Shelduck, Mallard, Teal, Shoveler, Little grebe, Common coot, Chaffinch, Redshank, Common gull, Great black-backed gull, Black-headed gull, Ringed plover, Turnstone, Stonechat, Reed bunting, Snipe, Curlew, Black-tailed godwit, Bar-tailed godwit, Goldfinch, Mute swan, Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Rook, Black-billed magpie, House sparrow, Blue tit, Great cormorant, Oystercatcher and Linnet.
After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Britannia Inn at Pentre Halkyn where the wood burning stoves helped to warm us up as we downed the excellent Lees bitter.

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