Heading for Marbury Big Mere.
Marbury church on the far side of Big Mere.
Two pairs of Canada geeese with their goslings on Big Mere.
Marbury Church as we approached from the East.
Inside Marbury Church.
The of Marbury Little Mere from our lunch spot around the old oak tree.
Our lunch spot opposite the Swan at Marbury - spurned by Celia and Paul!
Walk stats: distance: 10.2 miles. Climb: 565'.
Time: 4 hours 45 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.5 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.1 m.p.h.
Group: Martyn, Roger, Phil, Annie, Paul, Sue Pearson, Tim, Celia, Wendy and David S.
The weather today was almost perfect for walking, plenty of sunshine and a pleasantly cooling breeze, which at times made wearing a sun hat difficult to keep on, and at times fears that it may get blown in to the canal.
At the start we tried to investigate a path that took us through Grindley Brook Farm, but couldn't find the way through and a friendly farmer directed us through his fields to rejoin the route that we did last year.
As we had had a lot of dry weather, we optimistic that our approach to Big Mere East of The Knowles would be dry underfoot, it wasn't and some of ended up with the backs of our legs being splashed with muddy water!
On this occasion we were able to see inside Marbury church, it's always good to see places of worship open everyday for the general public.
Lunch was taken by most of us taking advantage of the seating around the old oak tree opposite the Swan, a few sat on the grass in the sunshine as the seats around the oak tree were in the shade.
Two of the group headed back to Marbury Church to take advantage of the seats in cemetery that overlooked Big Mere.
After lunch we headed around Little Mere before having a brisk stroll along the towpath of the Llangollen canal back to Grindley Brook.
Birds seen or heard included: House sparrow, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Black-billed magpie, Canada goose, Common coot, Great crested grebe, Common blackbird, Mallard, Barn swallow and House martin.
We arrived back at the car quicker than expected, even earlier enough for Paul to get back home in time to assist in the taxi service for his grandchildren!
After walk drinks were enjoyed the Horse and Jockey at Grindley Brook, where most beers were from the Cheshire based Woodlands Brewery and the Shropshire based Joules Brewery. The one I tried was Ale Fresco brewed by Green King, had I known that, I wouldn't have tried it!
Overall a pleasant walk and with ten of us, one of the best turn outs for some time, with holidays depleting our group over the last few weeks.
It was suggested that next time we do this walk, we should complete the walk by doing the canal section first and route using the South Cheshire Way and Bishop Bennet's Way on the way back from Marbury.
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