Delamere Forest and Manley Common Revisited 19th December 2020

Delamere Forest and Manley Common Revisited (for some).

The Memorial Plinth at Pale Heights.

Blakemere Moss from Pale Heights.

Follow them, I've never used that path before.

Blakemere Moss through the trees.

Field paths to Manley Common.

Beeston Hill and the sandstone ridge on the skyline.

The downhill road to Manley Common.

Distance: 9.9 miles. Climb: 965'.
Time: 4 hours 41 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.5 m.p.h. Overall walking average: 2.1 m.p.h.
Group: Martyn and Mike.

This walk was very similar to the one Mike vled from Grest's Waste Car Park a week or so a go. However this tme we started at my preferred start poin for Delamere Forest walks, The Yeld Car Park.

We set off from the car park just after 09-15 and it didn't take long before we were at the cairn on Pale Heights. Even this early, ther were plenty of people out, walkers, dog walkers, joggers and horse riders.

We went round the eastern side of Blakemere Moss and had to stand and admire the many runners out on their "fun run" or more likely a more serious regular running club activity.

At this time of the year many of the tracks around Delamere Forest are somewhat muddier than I like and Mike was leading and he wasn't one for changing his route just because thee was a mid of mud in the way!

Lunch was taken t Manley Common, sitting on the same wall that the Chester Branch had pleasure in using earlier in the month.

On our return route, near the new Delamere Forest Bike Park, we encountered about twenty teenagers racing down the muddy tracks on bikes small enough for six year olds, filming themselves as they raced against each and attempted to pull up near the end. Thankfully they all avoided hitting us as we spoiled their fun briefly as we encroached on their "film set"!  They didn't to seem to mind as they joked with us as we went past them.

At eddisbury Lodge, we decided to avoid using the Sandstone Trail and in the end used a route that went via Grey's Gate and Yeld Lane. We also decided to  explore a path that went from The Yeld Farm around the west side of the wood  and back to the car park.

Not many birds seen or heard today, bu those we did included: Common blackbird, Common starling, European robin, Black headed gull and Wood nuthatch.

The weather today was better than expected, largely sunny, little wind, and a few sp[ots of rain (although Mike said he didn't feel any - is that a ign of getting older!)

Overall an enjoyable walk, even if I still have boots to clean when I get home!The onl thing missing was a celebratory pint at the Farmers Arms at Kelsall.