About Me

My photo
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.

Thursday 22 December 2011

Another West Kirby Round 22nd December 2011

Turmstones by the Marine Lake Causeway, West Kirby
The Marine Lake, West Kirby
Looking across Hilbre towards the Point of Ayr Lighthouse.
On the beach between Red Rocks and Hoylake Lifeboat Station.
On the extension through Caldy.
Distance: 9.2 miles. Climb: 527'.
Time: 4 hours 14 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.7 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.2 m.p.h.
Group: Martyn, Roger, Annie H., Sue and Michel, Phil, Wendy and Dave J.
What a glorious sunny day this turned out to be, not the dull overcast weather forecast.  We arrived at the Marine Lake becalmed and the Sun shining.  This was more like a Spring day than a Winter day, and we should have been in shorts, alas I listened to the forecast, but at least I didn't have to wear a fleece or waterproof!
The Marine Lake provided the birds of the day with two male Goldeneye and close up views of Turnstone, although perhaps the sight of the day was the swirling flocks of Dunlin as they twisted and turned over the water's edge.
It was such a good day that we extended the walk along the beach beyond Red Rocks as far as the Lifeboat Station at Hoylake, before cutting inland through the houses and eventually arriving at the Gilroy Nature Reserve.
Lunch was taken at the Grange Hill memorial where the views towards Hilbre and beyond to North Wales were superb.  In the other direction, Leasowe lighthouse and the cathedrals in Liverpool could easily be seen.
Once again Roger produced some of Margaret's excellent Mince Pies for everyone, another reminder that it really was December and not June!
The final extension was across Caldy Hill from the Beacon and back along the Wirral Way, with the final few hundred yards back along the beach to the Hoylake Yacht Club.
Birds seen or heard today included: Turnstone, Goldeneye, Red breasted merganser, Black-heade gull, Herring gull, Dunlin, Common redshank, Curlew, Great black backed gull, Oystercatcher, Knot, tonechat, Skylark, Shelduck, Kestrel, European robin, Common starling, Pied wagtail, Shoveler, Black-tailed godwit, Common coot, Moorhen, Greylag goose, Carrion crow, Common teal, Chaffinch, House sparrow, Canada goose, Long-tailed tit, Great tit, Blue tit and Blackbird.
After walk drinks were enjoyed at the very popular Wheatsheaf at Raby where the Brimstage brew Trappers Hat went down well.
Overall a fantastic walk, a contender for the walk of the year!

No comments: