Flint to Ffynnongroyw (12 miles)


We had to wait again for the right weather. Last week was very cold, then stormy at the weekend, and we very nearly tried to slot in the walk in that little spot in between, but in the end that didn't look promising enough and we waited until today. And today was nice - still wintry, but dry and sunny enough to enjoy a bracing walk. The timing also meant that we were walking at high tide, and had to check that it wouldn't be too high when we got to Llanerch-y-mor: it was Ok. High tide means nicer views, but less obvious bird life.

Starting off from Flint castle, it's a pleasant walk through birch woods, which always look nice this time of year as the sun lights up reddish twigs and buds, to Flint Point. Much of the morning's walk was on sea embankments, raised above both land and sea, and improving the view of both.The embankment is interrupted by creeks too big to be bridged, where the walk nips inland to where they can be crossed, first at Bagillt, then at Greenfield (pictured).


Another creek at Llanerch-y-mor houses the derelict Duke of Lancaster, and again the path diverts inland to cross it. Here was our planned lunch stop, at Abakhan. With a cafe on the Coast Path, mentioned in the guidebook, they were prepared for walkers. We are familiar with the place, and knew we could get a reliable lunch here: today, freshly fried fish and chips! After another embankment, we again turned inland, through another birch wood to walk inland of Mostyn Dock. This entails an annoying walk along the A548, with occasional bits of cycle track, before turning into Ffynnongroyw. 



In contrast to the first leg, this leg has felt properly coastal at last. There were views across the Dee estuary towards the Wirral. As we moved north, the Hilbre islands came more strongly into view, and we started looking beyond the Wirral into Morecambe Bay. The path was easy all the way, just one or two slightly muddy sections. Waymarking on the path was rather better than on the first leg, but still not comprehensive.



The official guidebook takes this leg on to the Point of Ayr, but we chose to follow the leg chosen in the Goddard and Evans book, which is better attuned to the public transport options. The path follows the road through Ffynnongroyw (looks like the old main road until by-passed) which is also the 11C bus route, so here we had a bus stop actually on the path, whence we could link back to the train home.





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