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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 13 October 2016

The Gop, Golden Groves and Sea Views 13th October 2016

Buzzard on a post, South of Llanasa.
Looking North towards Llanasa and the coast beyond.
"Where am I?"
The  toposcope just outside Trelawnyd that we spent time debating was it right or not?
In fact Sue was right all of the time, we just had to be standing in the middle of it to realise.
The toposcope a we left it.
The panorama as we left the toposcope.
The Gop in the centre.
No comment, but the this was easier than it used to be!
Not lunch time yet!
At the Gop.
Who is that emerging from the caves underneath the Gop?
An unexpected lunch spot at Gwaensygor.
or
Where did you get those hats? "But I'm not wearing a hat!"
Emerging from the St. Mary's  Church at Gwaenysgor.
St. Elmo's Summer House - really!
Sea views and and the lighthouse on Talacre beach.
Nearly there, Llanasa ahead, if you follow the sheep!
Walk stats: Distance: 8.8 miles. Climb: 1159'.
Time: 5 hours 14 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.1 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.7 m.p.h.
Group: Martyn, Sue and Michel, Roger, Phil and David S.
We set off, hoping that the 5% chance of rain lived up to its forecast. I suppose it was just about as we had a few spots as we had lunch in Gwaensygor. Nevertheless it was a pretty good day foe walking, it isn't often I can say it is a one shirt, one handkerchief walk!
 As we set off from the car park in the delightful village of Llanasa we were surprised to see a small flock of Ring-necked parakeets flew overhead. Some villagers we spoke to said that there are about ten of them.
 The first part of the walk from Llanasa was new to us, and it exploring it proved to be a a good choice. The views from the toposcope on the hillside East of Trelawnyd were excellent. On a slightly clearer day it would have been even better.
 After exploring The Gop and the caves below we took a path around Gop Hill that took us a little longer than expected and it was nearly 13-00 before we found a suitable spot in the centre of Gwaensygor where we were very grateful to three park benches near to to St. Mary's Church.
 After lunch part of the walk included Offa's Dyke Footpath that gave superb views towards the coast as we contoured along the hillside above Prestatyn Nature Reserve.
 The new signage for the Clwydian Wy enabled us to keep on track until we needed to head Eastward back to Llanasa.
 Birds seen or heard today included: Ring-necked parakeet, Goldfinch, Mallard, House sparrow, Common buzzard, Common pheasant, European robin, Rook, Jackdaw, carrion crow and Common gull.
 Overall a good walk that will be repeated in the future. I'm sure that with a little less time at the toposcope, we will get to Gwaensygor a little sooner for lunch and less grumbling stomachs!
 After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Blue Bell in Halkyn where two of the six ciders and a perry were on offer.

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