Lindow, Salterley and Mobberley 5th November 2009

The advanced party? Getting ready to leave our lunch spot.

Walk stats: Distance:10.9 miles; Climb:495'.

Time: 4 hours 55 minutes; On the move walking average: 2.6 m.p.h.; Overall walk average: 2.2 m.p.h.

Group:Martyn, Richard, Roger, Sue and Michel, Fran and Tito, Celia, Tim,Annie H, Sylvia and Dave J., and Georgie the Jack Russell.

In today's conditions this walk didn't have a lot to offer, but at least we had a little bit of Sunshine at lunch where a fallen tree provided suitable places to sit. However to cheer us up, Sue P provide Parkin, Sylvia provide her cake and Annie provided chocolate biscuits, all devoured with relish.

The only other event of the day was two very friendly horses greeting us at one of the stiles, making crossing the stile and the field a nervous experience for some.

Birds seen or heard today included:Long-tailed tit, Robin, Blackbird, Great-crested grebe, Mallard, Dunnock, Housesparrow, Blackbird, Coot, Jay, Fieldfare, Chaffinch and Buzzard.

after walk drinks were enjoyed at the Lord Eldon in Knutsford, where Norther Jewell was the beer quaffed by most of us. (Dave and Sylvia missed out, they sent a text saying that they got "lost" and had gone straight home in the rain!

Lindow, Saltersley and Mobberley 17th January 2008

No Photographs - it was raining too much! and I forgot totake the camera to the Lord Eldon!

Walk stats: Distance: 10.6 miles; Climb: 885'.

Time: 4 hours 47 minutes; Walking average: 2.8 m.p.h.; Overall walk average: 2.2 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Richard, Dave J., Annie H., Fran and Tito.

This walk walk can honestly be described as a wet one! The Met Office forecast rain and at times we certainly knew about it! It did relent at time, and we did have lunch sitting on a fallen tree during a half an hour period when there was no rain and we were sheltered from any wind. This walk was taken from Graham Beech's book "East Cheshire Walks", and on this occasion his descriptions were on occasions very difficult to follow. In fact for the last third of the walk we decided to abandon his description, and resort to using the O.S. map only. On this walk our gear was tested for its ability to resist penetration by water, and our boots were also treated to frequent coatings of mud. They say it's good for the complexion, I hope it's good for leather too!

This is quite a varied walk through this Cheshire countryside, taking us past several stretches of open water and on our return leg along Graveyard Lane we came across a Quaker graveyard.

Towards the end of the day, the weather was slightly kinder, and by the time we reached the car at Twinnies Bridge it had ceased, and the Sun was beginning to show.

Annie H. even had a little note on her windscreen. Very complimentary it was too. Will she ever reply to it?

Birds seen or heard today included: Siskin, Blue tit, Great tit, Grey Heron, Jay, Pied wagtail, Buzzard, Kestrel, Robin Wren, Fieldfare, Coot, Moorhen, Mallard, Great crested grebe, Mute Swan, Carrion crow, Jackdaw and Blackbird.

After walk drinks was at the Lord Eldon in Knutsford. Old Peculiar and Adnams Bombardier were the beers on off (Tetley Bitter doesn't really count). The O.P. was in excellent condition. this very homely pub is probably one we will use again.

The route from Knutsford to Chester took us a little longer than expected, road works cones were everywhere and it was gone 6-30 p.m. by the time I got home. Richard would be even later, especially if there were queues at the tills in Tesco at Broughton.
Perhaps we should think about a different route home next week!