Pex Hill

The weather had been a bit unpredictable so we didn't plan a big day out. It stayed dry for a while so we had a local walk instead, up to Pex Hill and round past J7 on the M62.

Pex Hill route

Quite a few Yellowhammers around. Also a very loud Song Thrush, an obliging Kestrel and fields swarming with Swifts.

Swooping swifts

Song Thrush singing

Kestrel

M62 from a new perspective

Visit by Her Majesty the Queen to Liverpool

On Wednesday 22 June the Queen visited Liverpool and came out onto the balcony of the Town Hall to wave to the crowds.

Delamere

A walk around Delamere Forest, mostly sheltering from the blazing sun.

Delamere elevation

Delamere route

The day started off very misty, which quickly burned off to leave bright sunshine.

Misty trees

Misty trees

Halo around sun behind the broadcast towers

Halo around the sun behind the broadcast towers

A pair of Blackcap were feeding their young (hidden in the undergrowth somewhere).

Male Blackcap

Male Blackcap

Later on we found some Willow Warblers doing the same thing.

Willow Warbler

Willow Warbler

Willow Warbler

Willow Warbler

Willow Warbler

Helsby Hill

The sun is blazing hot so a walk round Helsby Hill, which is mostly under cover in forests. Lovely and cool.

Helsby Hill elevation

Helsby Hill route

Fields and trees

Hazy hills behind wildflower meadow

Flowers

Shadowy woods leading out to the sun

Gill and cows

Flowers

View from war memorial

Sandstone

Lush trees in the sun

Helsby Hill

View from Helsby Hill

Skulking rabbit

Buzzard being bothered by Crow

Buzzard

John looking out at north Wales

Ferry to Mainland

Dodging the pouring rain to get to Port Ellen and the ferry trip back to the mainland. The rain cleared eventually but then clouded over later on.

Ferry route to mainland

2 hours of fresh sea air.

Carraig Fhada

Lagavulin distillery

Ardbeg distillery

Gannet

Guillemots

Boat

Sparkling sea and hazy hills

Laphroaig distillery

Gannet

Great Northern Diver

View from the bow of the ferry