Log No 196. Wed 4th Dec 2013 - Connah's Quay to Prestatyn, 22 miles (3024 miles walked)

There had been showers through the night and as it looked like they would be continuing I set off from Shotton in my waterproofs at 08.00.

I followed the cycleway along or on the road out of Connah's Quay to Flint, it didn't look like there was going to be any rain so I was thankful I could take my waterproofs off.

The Wales Coastal Way went along a footpath by the side of the River Dee as far as Flint Castle then it was back on a cycleway and the main road.

It was turning out to be a good day with blue skies and not too much of a head wind, this may be the last for a while if the weather forecast is to be believed. Driving back on the motorway last night (Tuesday) the overhead signs were warning of strong winds on Thursday, which seems a trifle premature.

At Greenfield I got back onto the footpath along the top of an embankment which I presume has been built for flood prevention.

My enjoyment of a traffic free environment was short-lived as after half an hour I took the "High Tide Alternative" route back onto the road.

It was a good thing I never chanced it as a short while later I saw that the path under a bridge was definitely impassable.

I should have been able to return to the footpath but signs said the footpath was closed and to stay on the road.

An hour and a half later, at Tanlan, I was able to get back onto the footpath, sharing it with cattle before crossing the railway line and walking round the perimeter fence of an oil terminal to the Point of Ayr at Talacre.

A Kestrel let me get close enough to it for a reasonable chance of a photograph.

Coming round the Point of Ayr I left the River Dee and was back to the coast and I took the cycleway through the dunes to the Chalet Park.

Taking a path to the sea I walked along the shore for a bit before coming back inland to the cycleway by the golf course and into Prestatyn to get the train back to Shotton.

It was an easy return to the walk after the short break, taking 7 hours for the 22 miles.