Around Lyme Park 30th November 2013

Red deer in Lyme Park.

Lyme Hall as we approached from the West.

A head to head, but did they agree?

A very low Bollinhurst Reservoir.

Autumn scenes from the Macclesfield Canal East of Adlington Basin.

Walk stats: Distance: 11.5 miles. Climb: 1070'.
Time: 6 hours 1 minute. On the move walking average: 2.3 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.9 m.p.h.
Group: Martyn, Celia and Mike.

This was a perfect day for walking, cool with plenty of warm Autumnal sunshine. We ended up doing the described walk, but in the opposite direction as the one described, and spent most of the walk facing into the Sun.  The views today were superb, although a smog-like haze seemed to linger the towns and building to the North and east.

  In Lyme Park we saw a herd of Red deer relaxing a South ewest section of the park.

 As expected we found sections of the walk boggy, particularly on the section to Stag House and in the fields approaching Lockgate Farm.

  As we headed down the  bridleway towards Birchencliff, we had superb views of a Common kestrel that came within about six feet as it was being mobbed by a Carrion crow.

 We arrived back at the car, having had a superb walk, but with legs feeling that they had climbed a little more than just over 1000'.
 Birds sen or heard today included: Common blackbird, Canada goose, Mallard, Moorhen, Grey heron, European robin, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Common buzzard, Common kestrel, Lesser black-backed gull, Fieldfare, Common starling, Blue tit, Black-billed magpie and Great tit.

  After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Netherton Hall, Frodsham.  The Lees bitter wasn't at its best, but they quickly replaced it with the other brew on offer, Cora, that went down well.