Bala Stroll 2016 Each time we have planned a walk this year it has been abandoned because of rain, wind or both. Eventually the sun came out!! Our March walk was in very pleasant sunshine. Seven of us and two dogs met in the free carpark at the head of Bala Lake and set off alongside the river in the direction of all the barriers and weirs. These were built to protect our area of the Dee Valley from flooding and it was very interesting to see what they consist of knowing what effect they have on our life further down the river. At the end of the path we went out onto the road and headed into the town for a welcome cuppa at a local café. Although it was fairly cool the shelter the town gave us meant that we could sit outside and enjoy our break. After our break we walked along the high street to the leisure centre carpark and then back along the footpath by the lake. It was a little hazy but the views by the lake were magnificent. We returned to our cars happy that at last we had managed a day in the sunshine Trevor Basin At 10am on what had been a misty, dreary, wet morning nine of us and two dogs gathered in the car park near the Trevor Canal Basin just as the rain stopped and the sky lightened. We walked a short distance up the road to the dismantled railway line which we followed for about a mile of easy, if rather muddy, walking. The night's rain had not had a chance to dry up. We then left the railway line and walked a short way along a quiet lane to the Llangollen canal. After an easy stroll along the canal towpath greeting the people on the narrow boats as they went by, we reached the canal basin. Some of the group then turned right to walk across the aqueduct while the rest sat down to wait for the Telford Inn to open for what we considered a well-earned cup of coffee before returning home in time for lunch. Many thanks to Mo Edmondson for organising this enjoyable stroll. We are now looking forward to walking more of the Llangollen canal towpath in May. Canal walk from Llangollen 3.5 Miles approx. (“Mo” leader of the walk) We parked in “The Sun Trevor” on the A539 and ordered lunch. 7 members attended. We walked across the A539 and joined the Llangollen Canal as far as the “Bryn Howel” Hotel We caught the T3 bus into Llangollen and had refreshments at the Canal Café, then walked back to “The Sun” along the canal. The bluebells and wild garlic were in full flower, There were many barges on the canal. A warm day 20 degrees C . Everyone enjoyed their lunch before returning home by car. Enid Combined walking and strolling group Sunday 9th August The Clywedog Valley Trail I was left somewhat bemused but flattered when asked to write a short account of our U3A hike, which took place on Sunday 9th August. In fact it's because I'm new to the group and unfamiliar with the format of such reporting that I must apologise for the late appearance of this modest screed. At the time, it seemed to me that not being familiar with the route, or even having a firm grasp of the direction we were taking, was an advantage. My mind was thus free to wallow in a blessed state of serendipity as I took in the rich variations found in the countryside adjacent to Wrexham. However, making a sensible account at this late stage is enjoyable but a bit more challenging. ----- There were eight walkers altogether, ably led by Pete Edmondson whom we have to thank for his expertise in organising the hike and supplying an elaborate wealth of information. Much of the information is too detailed to reproduce here but is readily available from the Nant Mill Visitor Centre. Tel: 01978 752772, The Bersham Heritage Centre Tel: 01978 261529, The Minera Lead Mines Country Park and the Erddig Country Park, Tel: 01978 355314. Most of these places have facilities for various refreshments but we elected to bring our own snacks and beverages. Apart from myself, Michael Woodbridge, and Pete, we were joined by Pete's wife Mo, by June, Enid, Martin, Sue and a most welcome, honorary "Third Ager", Lynda. The Clywedog Valley has a unique charm, consisting as it does of a large variety of derelict industrial edifices all facilitated at one time by the proximity of the meandering River Clywedog. The valley has now largely returned to Nature. Starting off by the 'Minera Lead Mines' I was fortunate to be able to pick Martin's brains as he turned out to be something of an expert on botany and ecology. He was able to explain to me, if I understood aright, how despite the poisonous nature of lead and zinc, certain plants have managed to evolve some sort of filter whereby they can survive the deleterious effects of chemicals and survive, or even flourish, around lead mines and also beneath pylons which are heavy with zinc. ----- As we touched on The City Engine House, once used to pump drained water from the lead mines, we also passed a fascinating 19th century gothic bridge. We then skirted by Offa's Dyke, giving us a clearer idea of the original border between Wales and England. We continued towards Bersham Mill and the site of the old 'Turkey Paper Mill'. The Turkey Paper Mill once produced high quality paper used for the manufacture of bank notes. ----- Having paused for lunch, we were discussing whether the river valley was a suitable venue for kingfishers when to my delight, almost as though some magic power could tune into our conversation, the vivid blue and orange of a kingfisher flashed past; not once but twice! After quite a warm day and a walk which, despite Pete's more modest estimate, must have consisted of a good six miles we enjoyed the last lap, grateful for the cool shade of some magnificent beech trees. We eventually emerged to rediscover our cars, still there, near a large attractively shaped beehive brick kiln. Michael Loggerheads 2016 During the summer months there were various reasons why our walks didn’t happen. You knew that autumn had arrived when we set out on a cool clear morning to enjoy the first stroll after the summer. We set off in two cars to the meeting point at the Loggerheads carpark then took a leisurely stroll on a very dry path through the woods, first crossing the almost dry stream then following the way marked path towards the Devil's Gorge. The path is fairly wide and level although a little uneven in places and passes a large cave with two or three large tree trunks in front of it which were full of coins that walkers had pushed in to the bark. After a further mile or so the path became what looked like a wooden bridge. I had never been to the Devil’s Gorge before so didn’t know what to expect. As I stepped onto the bridge I found it crossed an extremely deep ravine with an enormous drop down below to a large cave and, on the day of our walk, a dried up river bed. It was quite magnificent but would have been even more breath-taking had it been in flood. We returned mostly by the same path for a very enjoyable lunch at the café close to the entrance. Our thanks go to Ellie for organising such an enjoyable day. Chester 2016 On Monday 12th December 2016 the U3A Strollers (joined by members of the History and Archaeology groups) congregated at Chester Cathedral at 11am, the majority having parked at Gresford and taken advantage of their bus passes for a free ride into the City Centre. Annabel led the group walk anti-clockwise around the City Walls past the Bell Tower, the Falcolnry and the Deanery Fields on to the northern section that runs alongside the Shropshire Union Canal. We carried on past Northgate and St Martin's Gate before turning south at Bonewaldestorne's Tower. Looking to the west we could see the Racecourse as we headed towards the River Dee and Castle Drive to the south of the City. Here we climbed up and over Bridgegate, adjacent to the Old Dee Bridge, once the only crossing point into North Wales. Having viewed the beautiful Eastgate Clock we descended from the Walls, back into the Cathedral. Here we viewed the Christmas Tree exhibits before meeting in the Refectory where we enjoyed a delicious soup and sandwich lunch. Thanks must go to Annabel for organising such an enjoyable and informative day out. Susan de Pear .