Marbury Country Park and More 6th December 2023

Crossing the icy Marbury Country Park car park.

A Great crested grebe on Budworth Mere.

A juvenile Great crested grebe tryin to escape from a Common coot.

Goosanders on Budworth Mere.

Budworth Mere from the West.

Inside St Mary's and All Saints Church, Great Budworth.

Emerging from Inside St Mary's and All Saints Church, Great Budworth.

Another view of  St Mary's and All Saints Church, Great Budworth.

A Grey heron at Pick Mere.

Only one Grerat cormorant left on the landing stage at Pick Mere.

Fran couldntt resist taking a photo of hese three hardy men taking a dip in Pick Mere.

The view from our lunch spot - paddle boarders on Pick Mere.

Enjoying mince pies and frucit cake!

Autumnal cloured leaves in Marbury Country Park.

 A pair of Mute swans on Budworth Mere.

Tufted duck on Budworth Mere.

Walk Stats:
Distance: 8.2 miles. (10 miles for the rest of the group) Climb: 643’.
Time: 4 hours 15 minutes. (4 hours 45 minutes for the rest of the group) On the move walking average: 2.3 m.p.h.
Overall walk average: 1.9 m.p.h. (2.1 m.p.h. for the rest of the group)
Temperature: -1.5 Celsius at the start. 3.0 Celsius at Great Budworth. 9.8 Celsius sitting in the warm sunshine in short sleeves at lunch overlooking Pick Mere. 5.3 Celsius just after lunch. 2.7 Celsius at the end of the walk.
Beaufort Wind force: 0. Calm throughout the walk, again no measurable wind at all!
Group: Martyn, Nigel, Mike and Fran.
The weather forecast today was pretty good and it was pretty accurate, although it felt warmer than the predicted forecast of about 4 Celsius.
Conditions underfoot at times were quite slippy, particularly on pavements and roads, but crossing usually muddy fields the just thawing conditions were quite helpful.
Arriving at Great Budworth, we took the opportunity of going into St Mary’s and All Saints Church. The heating was on so it was literally a very warm welcome we were given (two women were there in the process of cleaning the church).
Hield Lane was flooded just at the point where we wanted to take the Pick Mere Path, but with care we managed to get round the edge without getting wet feet.
The surpise of the day was seeing three men taking a dip in Pick Mere which must have been close to zero Celsius as parts of the mere had ice on it.
Another bonus was finding a picnic area with several picnic benches and seats overlooking the mere. 

I decided to return to the car via Black Wood and Big Wood and do a little more birdwatching at the same time. The rest of the group continued along the tow path to the Anderton Boat Lift before returning throughthefields to thestart.
The muddiest section for me was along the towpath back to Marbury Country Park, although the rest of the group found more mud crossing the fields from Anderton, particularly north east from Cogshall Lane through Kennel Wood back to the Comberbach Road.
Birds seen or heard today included: European robin Winter wren, Wood nuthatch, Common starling, Jackdaw, Raven Carrion crow, Song thrush. House sparrow, Goldfinch, Common blackbird, Mallard, Tufted duck, Goosander, Great crested grebe, Grey heron, Goldeneye, Great tit, Blue tit, Moorhen, Dunnock, Common coot, Black headed gull and Great cormorant.
Overall an enjoyable walk, ending with boots that weren’t very muddy and only required a quick wipe.
After walk drinks were enjoyed at Rake Hall, where Hawkshead Brewery’s Windermere Ale went down particularly well. The tea wasn’t bad either!

Mow Cop, Congleton Edge and More 28th January 2023

The Old Man of Mow.

Mow Cop Folly in the clouds.

On the Mow Cop Folly steps.

On the Mow Cop Folly steps.

On The Cheshire Ring Canal towpath.

Time to cross over the canal to our lu nch spot.

Lunch time by the canal.

Something is missing from these post next to the towpath / canal just before we dropped down to the Biddulph Valley Way.

I think that is Mike and Ed on the far side of Congleton Edge.

Walk stats:

Distance: 9.4 miles. Climb: 1050'.

Time: 4 hours 42 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.3 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.0 m.p.h.

Temperature: Minimum - 5.7 Celsius. Maximum - 7.7 Celsius.

Beaufort Wind Force: 0 - 1. Calm and occasionaly increasing to light air.

Group: Martyn, Ed and Mike.

We arrived at the The Cheshire Close view point just after 10-00, but alas there wasn't a view.

The weather forecast did mention thick cloud, but we didn't expect to be in it!

We started the walk by heading towards The Old Man of Mow and The Mow Cop Folly. We could just about make them out as they looked quite mysterious in their blanket of cloud.

This unfortunate weather didn't put off The National Trust Volunteers (at least four of them) litter picking around the Old Man and Folly.

As we descended towards the Cheshire Ring Canal, it seemed to clear up, but there was always a feeling of dampness in the air.

Usually you get views of the edge from the towpath, but today there was none!

Lunch was taken as we approached the edge of Congleton, where we took advantage of a bench and picnic table while we had lunch. 

After lunch we continued along the towpath before joining The Biddulph Valley Way which was in the process of being resurfaced.

As we climbed towards Congleton Edge, it wasn't long before we were again in the clouds, but thankfully there was enough visability to cross the Edge to Nick i' th  Hill.

It was on the next part of route on The Gritstone Trail between the Nick i' th  Hill and Pot Bank that I tripped on a rock and managed to graze both shins, one knee and bruised one hand.  Thankfully there was very little bleeding and only three plasters were needed to protect the injured parts!

We arrived back at the car to find there was even less of a view than when we had set off, and then discussed the need to have some form of high viz to attach to our rucksacks.

Birds seen or heard today included: House sparrow, Collared dove, Woodpigeon, Black billed magpie, Blue tit, Wood nuthatch, Mallard Moorhen, Canada goose, Greylag goose, Goldfinch and European robin,

Overall a good walk, but a little disapponting for Ed that it was done in such poor visability.

After walk derinks were enjoyed at the Stamford Bridge, Chester, where Hide's brews were enjoyed by some and I had a good pot of tea (managed to get three cups out of it!)

 

Yet Another Delamere Forest Round 21st December 2022

 

Topiary seen on the walk.

Everyone made it to Pale Heights in the sunshine.

Eddisbury Castle / Castle Ditch found!

Walkers: Sue, Michel, Nigel & David S (Leader for the Day)

Distance: 8 miles

Height Gained: 750 ft

Time: 4 hrs

 All approximate due to vagaries of the OS Tracker.

 Parking was at Yeld Lane Kelsall.  We set off east and then turned south along the Sandstone Trail.  Before reaching the main road we turned east again to pick up the ‘Roman Road’.  On reaching Stoney Lane we continued east to search for the access to Eddisbury Hill Fort.  We found this after about half a mile and decided to investigate.  We found the hill fort at its East Gate and followed its edge enjoying good views of the Cheshire Plain.  We were very soon at the Toposcope at Pale Heights where the views were almost 360^o .  By this time all plans to follow the originally published route were abandoned and we decided to descend to the Delamere Visitor Centre where lunch was taken on a picnic table.  After lunch we took the Linmere Trail before returning to the car via Eddisbury Lodge and the Sandstone Trail.

 

A cold day but with plenty of sunny intervals and no more than a gentle breeze.

Delamere Forest, Blakemere Moss and Pale Heights 12th June 2019

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.

Nelson Pit, Lyme Park and Poynton Coppice 2nd March 2019

Looking East from the Macclesfield Canal towards Cage Hill in Lyme Park.

The Macclesfield Cana South west towards Poynton.

At the Cage on Cage Hill, Lyme park.

Lyme Hall from Cage Hill.

The Boestones - Saxon Crosses.

Shutlingsloe from near the Bowestones.

The Cage from the path North of the Sponds.

The woodland link path from the Macclesfield canal to the Middlewood Way on the way to Poynton Coppice.

Walk stats: Distance: 10.3 miles. Climb: 1554'.

Time: 4 hours 44 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.5 m.p.h. (2.7 m.p.h. on my newest GPS). Overall walk average: 2.1 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn and Jim.

Unsure what sort of weather we would get, we set off hopeful that we would get back to the car before any rain started.  In the end it turned out to be just right for walking,on the cool side in the breeze, but not enough to make you want to put gloves on.It threaten rain just after lunch, but thankfully stopped before we had to put on waterproofs.

 Arriving at Lyme park, we met the crowds, Lyme Park was so busy that they had to open up their overspill car park.

 Climbing towards the Bowestones, we were lucky enough to hear several Skylarks singing, but we only managed to spot one of them.

 Later on we saw a Meadow pipit displaying its characteristic parachute descent.

 Distant views were good, especially from our highest point of the da near the Bowestones.

 We ended up having lunch on the North Cheshire Way, North west of Moorside.

  On this occasion we completed a circuit of Poynton Coppice, which at this time of the year, out a couple of miles on the walk, but didn't offer much more.

 Nevertheless this was an enjoyable walk, and somehow w had managed to avoid meeting up with any of the large number of of D of E youngster that were getting ready to set off from Nelson Pit as we arrived,

 Birds seen or heard today included: Mallard, Canada goose, Blackcap, Dunnock, Long-tailed tit, Tufted duck, Blue tit, Great tit, European robin, Black-billed magpie, Woodpigeon, Meadow pipit and Skylark.

 After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Netherton Hall, Frodsham, where the Lees Bitter was our beer of choice.

Congleton Edge and Mow Cop 20th May 2017

Getting ready to shelter from the rain.

On Congleton Edge.

Part of Congleton Edge.

A Buttercup meadow seen from a tree when we were sheltering from a heavy shower, 

North east of the Nick i' th' Hill.

Looking towards Beeston and the Clwydians from the Cheshire's Close viewpoint.

The Old man of Mow.

Our first view of  Mow Cop Castle.

Mow Cop Castle from the South.

Looking North east from the masts at Mow Cop.

Berwyn Sheep near our start point.

Walk stats: Distance: 9.1 miles. Climb:1041'.

Time: 5 hours 54 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.0 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.5 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn and Mike.

We started the walk from a lay-by on the Congleton Road North east of  Mow Cop and will probably use this on future occasions when we visit this area.

 We set off in sunshine, tackling the marshy area North of Cheshire's Close. At least  we got the difficult route finding and boggiest part of the walk over first. No problems here this time finding the way across, although we didn't follow the path as it was on the OS map, but it was the one where many feet had previously gone.

 It started to rain as we approached Nick I' th' Hill, when we decided it was time to put on our waterproofs. This heavy shower was enough for a young lady on a horse to invite us to shelter in barn by the stables. We declined her kind offer and headed across Congleton Edge.

 It rained gently on and off for the next hour or so, and as we started aong the Staffordshire Way, we were hoping for a sheltered spot preferably with a bench.

 Thankfully just before the Southern end of Whitemore Nature Reserve we came across a pic-nic table with views towards Congleton Edge. Even better the rain stopped and we had a pleasant half an hour having lunch in sunshine without having to have waterproofs on.

 After lunch, waterproofs were required as intermittent showers continued for about another hour before we could remove them for the rest of the walk.

 As we arrived back at the car the Sun was shining, so we continued the walk to visit Mow Cop Castle before retracing our steps back to the car.

 Birds seen or heard today included: Carrion crow, Common pheasant, Common buzzard, Willow warbler, Meadow pipit, Black-billed magpie, Collared dove, Common whitethroat, House sparrow, Common swift, Woodpigeon, Chaffinch, Blackcap, Goldfinch, Barn swallow and Winter wren.

 Overall this was a good walk and the weather was much better than most forecasts had suggested.

  We stopped at the Farmers Arms at Kelsall, where Mike enjoyed a pint of Weetwood Bitter and I had probably the worst cup of tea that I have ever tasted! Moral of the story - stick to the bitter!