Coming off the marsh at Nessholt there is still some evidence of the the coal mines that once lined the shore here. First mined in 1759, the seams stretched out beneath the River Dee, the miners working in terrible conditions, resulting in many fatalities. Mining continued in the area until 1927.
We were tempted to stop at Neston for lunch but the crowds convinced us otherwise and we continued on through the town to a picnic spot at the Gayton Sands Nature Reserve (Parkgate). Pottering about in some ruins there I was thrilled to come across a Comma Butterfly but, like all the butterflies of my acquaintance it was reluctant to be photographed. From our picnic spot we had lovely views across the Dee to Flintshire, albeit there was a cold wind blowing and we did not linger too long.
Tired as we are there is still enough excitement at being back on the trail that we have no qualms about what tomorrow will bring.