Budworth Mere and Pickmere 3rd July 2008

Are we supposed to be walking or what?

The Anderton Boat Lift.
The avenue of Elms just outside Great Budworth.

The view across Pickmere.

Walk stats: distance: 12.1 miles; Climb: 542'.

Time:5 hours 32 minute; Walking average:2.7 m.p.h.;Overall walk average:2.2 m.p.h.

Group:Martyn, Richard, Fran and Tito.

This rather genteel walk proved to be more challenging than expected. To start with the road through to Marbury Country Park from Northwich, the described start of the walk, was no lionger accessible to vehicles and we ended up starting at the car park nearest to Neumann's Flash. Our option extension was no longer an option. The weather started off bright and sunny, and remained as such for most of the day. Threatened showers didn't materialise and on the two occasions when I put my waterproof coat on, it proved fruitless as the rain stopped as soon as the waterproof was on. The description was at times somewhat minimal and by Pickmere references to stiles didn't help when there none, not even evidence of where they might have been. as one might expect the Anderton Boat Lift working was impressing and an added bonus along the walk. Other highlights included the picturesque village of Great Budworth and a fine avenue of Elms with the rays of sunshine breaking through intermittently.

Birds seen or heard today included:Yellowhammers (lots), chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Willowwarnler, House Martin, Swallow, Swift, Jay, Carrion crow, Blackbird, Greenfinch, Great crested grebe, Coot, sedge warbler, Mallard, Mute swan, Rook, Goldfinch,House sparrow and Kestrel.

After walk drinks were held at the Farmers Arms at Kelsall where the two brews sampled were Blacksheep Bitter and Jennings Cumberland Bitter.