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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.

Monday 21 December 2015

Walks and Dates December 2015

Updated on 21st December 2015.
Walks planned for the Thursday 17th December and Saturday 19th December 2015 have been changed again!
A short Walk for Friday 1st January 2016 has also been added.
Thursday 3rd December 2015.
Ysceifiog-Lixwm-Nannerch.
Distance: 9-10 miles. Climb: 1300'.
Start: Ysceifiog, park adjacent to the children's play area. Grid ref: SJ152715.
Leave Chester 9-00 a.m.
This walk combines two walks from Dave Berry's book "Walks Around Holywell and Halkyn Mountains".  This is another chance to explore the area around Ysceifiog using field paths, woodland paths and bridleways.  The walk also explores the countryside between the Wheeler Valley and Lixwm.  We have done this walk many times, but not for quite a while.
Saturday 5th December 2015.
Postponed.
Rhos-on-Sea, Bryn Euryn and Coed Pwllcrochan.
Distance: 10-11 miles. Climb: 1800'.
Start: Roadside parking on Marine Drive in Rhos-on-Sea, near to St., Trillo's Church. Grid ref: SH841811. It may may be better to park in Trillo Avenue, opposite the church.
Leave Chester at 08-30.
This walk combines three walks from Dave Berry's book "Walks Around Llandudno and Prestatyn".
One is described as a varied walk exploring the hinterland behind Rhos-on-Sea and includes the hillfort in Bryn Euryn Nature Reserve. The other walk offers panoramic views as it meanders through the undulating countryside bordering on Mochdre, Colwyn Bay and Rhos-on-Sea. I rather suspect that suitable shortcuts will be made to ensure that the distance will be nearer 10.
Thursday 10th December 2015.
St. Dyfnog's Well, Llwyn Wood, Denbigh Castle and Goblin Fields.
Postponed - this route is notorious for flooding and mud, so I've decided to change the walk. See below for details.
Distance: 10 miles. Climb: 900'.
Start: Riverside parking near the weir in Brookhouse. Turn westward opposite the Brookhouse Inn, signposted "Pottery". Grid ref: SJ06896567.
These two walks are taken from Dave Berry's book "Walks in the Vale of Clwyd".  The main walk explore the attractive and varied countryside between Llanrhaeadr and Brookhouse.  The highlight on the walk is the Jesse window in the medieval church at Llanrhaeadre.  The second walk takes us on a "green" approach to Denbigh Castle.
Thursday 10th December 2015.
New Walk.
Holywell, and the Mostyn to Greenfield Coastal Path Round.
Distance: 10.0 miles Climb: 1000'.
Start: Holywell Halkyn Street Car Park. Grid ref: SJ18957548.
Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m.
Although the route is largely based on one we did in June this year, it has been adapted to avoid problems encountered then as well as to try and minimise boggy and muddy fields that we have to negotiate. Consequently this is a somewhat contrived route in that it is uses mainly country lanes from Holywell towards Whitford and down to Mostyn. The route along the Coastal path to Grenfield is quite pleasant, but being on the estuary it can feel a little breezy at times. Some field paths are included, particularly at the start of the walk, so we can expect to encounter a few mud challenges on this section. Once we get to Mertyn Lane it should be plain sailing!
 On the 11th of June we had lunch in the grounds of the Aberkan where we were able to use picnic tables and take advantage of the facilities.
 However should we feel adventurous on the day, there are many that could be used instead of the security of having a hard surface under our feet.
Saturday 12th December 2015.
Caer Drewyn, Pen-y-Pigyn and onto Cynwyd.
Postponed.
Distance: 9 miles; Climb:1000'.
Start: Corwen centre car park next to the Public Convenience. Grid Ref: SJ080435.
Leave Chester 8-30 a.m.
This walk combines two walks from Dave Berry's book "Walks Around Llangollen and the Dee Valley" with a there and back extension to Cynwyd. The visit of Caer Drewyn is described as enchanting and the second walk as being a delightful walk through the wooded hillside above Corwen and concludes with lovely walk alongside the River Dee.
Thursday 17th December 2015.
A Walk on Halkyn Mountain from the Blue Bell Inn.
Distance: 9-10 miles. Climb: 1000'.
Start: Common ground opposite the Blue Bell Inn, Halkyn. Grid ref: SJ209702.
Leave Chester at 09-00 a.m. 
This is a walk devised by Steve 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 usually only see the quarry from its Southern side. We might see if we can enter the quarry on the North side and emerge on the East side for a change.
Saturday 19th December 2015.
A Walk Around the Great Orme.
Distance: 8-10 miles, but will be decided on the day.
Climb: 500'-1000', depending on the route we take.
Start at Llandudno West shore. Roadside parking near the boating lake. Grid ref: SH771820.
Leave Chester at 08-30 a.m.
This walk is one we do several times each year, particularly if we want to avoid muddy conditions. The exact route wil be decided as we are going round. It will probably involve going around the Great Orme on the panoramic road, have lunch in the Happy Valley before taking the path across the limestone pavement and then taking the steps down to the invalids terrace and back to the shore.
Thursday 24th December 2015.
No walk unless anyone wants to escape from Christmas Preparations!
Contact me if you fancy a walk.
Saturday 26th December 2015.
No walk.
Friday 1st January 2016.
A West Kirby Round.
Distance: 5-6 miles. Climb: 500'.
Start: The Parade, West Kirby. Park near the old baths / opposite the IRB station. Grid ref: SJ213860.
Leave Chester at 09-30.
The walk starts by going around the Marine Lake, if the tide permits. High tide is at 15-21. It is quite a small tide, 7.7 m /25.0', so there should be no problem around the Marine Lake or walking along the beach to Red Rocks.  Red Rocks may be a suitable spot for refreshments before heading through 
Hoylake Golf Course to the Gilroy Nature Reserve.  Finally a short climb up Grange Hill with its 
impressive War Memorial with superb views in all directions. The return is via the Beacon on 
Column Road and down to West Kirby through Ashton Park. 
 Bring binocular with you if you have them.
 Fruit cake will be provided, as long as I know that you are coming!
Harris Hikers Annual Meal 
Thursday 4th February 2016.
This would appear to be the best date for most of the group. I'm thinking of going to the Boathouse in Parkgate but at the moment I haven't booked anything.  I intend to go down on the 4th February, so if you plan to come to the meal, it would be helpful if you let me know, so that I have a rough idea of the numbers involved.
 If you know of anyone that might be interested in joining us for the meal, please pass on the details.
 I will try to keep everyone up to date by e-mail as much as I can as well as putting the details on the blog.

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