We shouldn't have crossed this bridge!
This i the way we should have gone.
Doolittle Moss, I thought it was a lake.
Information notice on Doolittle Moss.
Blakemere Moss.
Blakemere Moss.
All things weren't crystal clear on Pale Heights.
How big?
Resting Pale Heights.
Walk stats: Distance: 8.1 miles. Climb: 653'.
Time: 4 hours 5 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.8 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.0 m.p.h.
Group: Martyn, Mike and David S.
At one point the weather forecast for our area was dire, and we didn't think we would manage to get a walk. East of Chester looked a better option that North Wales, so Delamere Forest looked like a good idea, at least we might get some shelter if the expected rain became very heavy.
We all set off with full waterproofs on as there was already a little dampness in the air. Alas it was a mistake, and I ended up getting wet on the inside through the "boil in the bag" syndrome.
Walking through forest isn't the most exciting of walks, but keeping to the right route when there are so many forest tracks, most not on the OS map, did keep us on our toes in terms of map reading.
We did hear a good number of birds, but didn't see that many.
Lunch was take at the junction of paths that went round Blakemere Moss, where were were able to share a picnic table with a couple that had come up from the South to do some walking. They had walked yesterday whenwe had torrential rain all day.
After lunch I discarded my waterproofs and felt much more comfortable for the rest of the walk - and kept much drier than earlier.
Having had so much rain over the past few days meant that some of the streams were like torrents and the water in Blakemere Moss was very high, so high that the hundreds of Black-headed gulls around the usual islands seemed to be complaining loudly.
The final only real climb was from the Visitor Centre up to Pale Heights. We followed the stony track which seemed to be much further than I expected and the transmitter masts when first sighted were partially in mist.
The views from Pale Heights was very limited and it wasn't possible to see the five counties that it says you can see.
Birds seen or heard today included: Barn swallow, Common blackbird, Wood nuthatch, Chiffchaff, Willow warbler, Greylag goose, Black-headed gull, Mallard, Winter wren, Woodpigeon and Moorhen.
After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Morris Dancer at Kelsall, where the locally brewed Weetwood Old Dog Bitter was the beer of choice.
We arrived back at the car having had a good enjoyable walk, and surprisingly with boots that were mud free and only needed a quick rinse to remove the pine needles from their treads.
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