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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.

Thursday 5 October 2017

Thurstaston Common, The Dungeon, Royden Country Park and Caldy 5th October 2017

Our first view of the Dee Estuary from the Wirral Way, but is the tide in or out?
The bottom of The Dungeon.

The Dee Estuary from the top of the steps on The Dungeon path.
"Is this really the waterfall in The Dungeon.
Looking across the estuary towards the North Wales from the path South of Thursaston Church.
Thursaston church from the South.
Thurstaton church from Telegraph Road.
The Dee Estuary from the toposcope on Thurstaston Common.
A brisk march on the shore from Caldy to Thurstaston.
Walk stats: Distance: 8.1 miles. Climb: 900' wind assisted on the on the GPS, but probably nearer 700' in reality.
Time: 4 hours 32 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.2 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.8 m.p.h.
Group: Martyn, Roger, Celia and David S.
The forecast for today was pretty good with little rain on the cards, but quite a strong North westerly wind. This was exactly what we got, but probably with a lot more sunshine than expected, making me wish that I hadn't opted to wear my fleece for the whole walk!
  In order to avoid the trek up Station Road, we set off along the Wirral Way, through The Dungeon to reach the described walk at Thurstatston Church. Much of this section gave us good views of the Dee Estuary and the incoming tide.
 Our walk across Thurstaston Common, started on a path around a boggy area that we learned was locally known as Kitty's Flash. It was in this area that we had superb views of a Common kestrel, probably a young one from the calls that it was giving.
 Once again we had good views from the toposcope on Thurstaston Hill, with the Great Orme seen in the distance on one side and the cathedrals of Liverpool on the other.
 After passing the sandstone outcrop called Thor's Stone we headed for Royden Country Park, where we knew there were plenty of pic-nic tables we could utilise for  lunch.
 After lunch we headed for Caldy where our route took us past some very prestigious properties where garages were bigger than my little semi!
 Arriving at the beach at Caldy we were met with a pretty strong cool wind, which thankfully assisted us on the way back to Thurstaston Visitor Centre, the start of the walk. Thankfully at this time the tide had gone out sufficiently to allow us n easy way walk on firm sand below the sea defences
 Unfortunately at this time the Sun was shining at its brightest, making spotting birds on the estuary quite difficult.
 Birds seen or heard today included: House sparrow, Carrion crow, Woodpigeon, Collared dove, Common kestrel, Herring gull, Black-headed gull, Eurasian curlew, Oystercatcher, Eurasian jay, Canada goose and Black-billed magpie.
 We arrived back at the car having had a good walk and only two stile, none of which really challenged Roger!
 After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Red Fox at Thornton Hough, a Brunning and Price hostelry.
 Dunham Massey's Walker's Bitter went down well. hey also had an impressive selection of real ciders on offer. 
 This could well be the venue for Harris Hikers annual meal 2018.

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