First steps onto the Wirral Way, but how did you come from? 
Crossing over the M53 into the other half of the Wirral!
Seeing the light, no just emerging from the tunnel!
Is this Job's Ferry?
Distance:12.5 miles; Climb: 473'.
Time:4 hours 54 minutes; On the move walking average: 3.0 m.p.h.; Overall walk average:2.5 m.p.h.
Group:Martyn, Roger, Dave J., Tim, Sue and Michel, Fran and Tito.
The weather forecast was a bit iffy, rain on the way, but thankfully it was very kind to us and seemed to get better and better on route. Lunch was taken on the two seats overlooking Raby Mere, just right to accommodate the eight of us. We sat in glorious sunshine, despite being on the roadside it was a good place to be!
A linear from Parkgate to Eastham Country park presented transport logistic problems, but in the end eight of us was almost the perfect number (upto ten would have been OK too!).
Joining the Wirral Way we soon set off at an above average pace, that was hardly slowed by the frequent stop to look for the many singing birds that seemed to be on the hedges and trees alongside the path. All birds, well most, have beautiful songs, but to day the best was that of the Chiffichaff, a wonderful indicater that Spring is here at last. Not just one Chiffchaff singing, they seemed to be everywhere along the first section of the Wirral Way as far as the Liverpool Veterinary Farm.
The section around beyond the Mill near and Roger's car in a drive (Reg: 60 ROG) near Willaston was much better than expected, only last month the field paths had been really muddy.
The route went across a golf course, not easy to on the path, and unusually we crossed a fairway and has some very polite conversation with four golfers!
Another delightful section was the path that went through Dibblesdale Nature Reserve.
The roadside section through the industrial park North of Spital was necessary, but it wasn't long before we could get on a path that followed the edge of the Mersey back to car park at the Eastham Country Park.
Birds seen or heard included: Little egret, Mallard, Coot, House sparrow, Dunnock, Blue tit, Great tit, Long-tailed tit, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff (my bird of the day), Jay, Back-billed magpie, Mandarin (male and female), Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Herring gull, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Blackbird, Song thrush, Mistle thrush, Woodpigeon, Wren, Starling, Pied wagtail, Grey wagtail, Great spotted woodpecker and Buzzard (the only bird of prey seen today).
After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Wheatsheaf at Raby. Fran paid for the round in celebration of selling her Mother's car, I think the round cost more than she got from the car!
The beers enjoyed included Biter and Twisted and the local brew Trappist Monk.
A thoroughly enjoyable walk, and even better it only started to rain after we were safely home!
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