Day 1: And it Begins!

Finding our way from the centre of Chester to the start of the Wales Coast Path was the day’s most significant challenge as the path was not signposted until the Welsh border. The path from Chester followed the River Dee and was straight for long stretches. What appeared to be not far on paper turned out to be a long way on foot! By the end of the day we were just about dragging our feet and wondering, ‘how much further is it?!’ We did eventually make it to our destination seven hours after leaving Chester. According to my Fitbit I had walked 23.2km although this also took in the mileage around Chester as we searched for a place to have breakfast.

At the official start of the Wales Coast Path

Wales Coast Path maker stone

A straight section of coast path along the River Dee

The route today was fairly monotonous as it followed the arrow straight River Dee out of Chester past a series of industrial developments and the large box like power station at Rockcliffe Hall. The highlight of the day was watching the River Dee tidal bore come up the river. It was like a 30-50 cm high mini tsunami making its way up the river. Other features of interest were the Queensferry Bridge, painted a bright blue and named after Queen Victoria and Flintshire Bridge which is Britain’s largest cable-stayed bridge.  

Queensferry Bridge

Flintshire Bridge

Another observation along the days walk was that the banks of the river were full of a pharmacopoeia of medicinal plants. What most would identify as weeds, I recognised as plants that are useful as herbal remedies.  Yellow disc-like dandelions, narrow leaved plantain, yarrow, nettles galore, elder trees and hawthorn. It was a shame that I did not have a digging stick and a basket available to make the most of these herbs as we wandered along.

Our lodgings for the night is the Oakenholt Farm B & B which is a 15^th Century farmhouse.