A Plumley Rail Trail

Walking along edge of Royd Wood.

The Peover Eye South east of Holford Farm.

Holford Hall through the mist.

An unusual lunch spot by a road and a railway, but still very welcome.

Walk stats: Distance: 8.2 miles. Climb: 220'.

Time: 4 hours 33 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.3 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.8 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Mike and LeRoi.

The forecast was for early morning mist, unfortunately they were right when they said it may be slow to lift in places. In fact it never totally cleared until we were back at the car. At least it didn't rain and although the temperature was about 7 Celsius, it didn't feel cold and after lunch I put my jacket it the rucksack as in the morning with my Paramo jacket on I felt that was was overheating!

 As most of the walk was completed in mist, view were none existent, and the best we got was Holford Hall appearing through the mist. 

 Much of the morning walk followed field paths through very boggy fields and the only thing of any  note was when we towards White House Farm from the East. On one side we were trapped by Royd Wood fence and the on the other side by a live electric wire fence. I know from personal experience that it was live! More to the point in the field a few yards away from us gunmen at regular intervals enjoying a day pheasant shooting. I don't think they were having much luck, the beaters had only sent up 4 pheasants on two drives and a doubt if they could have seen them clear enough through the mist to shoot them.

 Apart from the weather, our next disappointment was on arriving at Plumley Lime Beds Nature Reserve to find that it was on private land and didn't appear to allow any public access.

 Opportunities for suitable lunch spots had not presented themselves and we were getting a little desperate when we came across what appeared to be a grave for all sorts of pipes, but more important there were sections of concrete supports that made very convenient seats.

 After lunch we were optimistic that the Sun would soon break through, alas it didn't, but overall it was much clearer.

 On this walk we had crossed the Chester - Plumley - Manchester railway line six times, over it three times, on it twice and under it once, so I suppose yoy can call the walk a "Rail Trail".

  Birds seen or heard today included: Common blackbird, Blue tit, Great tit, Wood nuthatch, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Wood pigeon. Black-billed magpie, Eurasian jay, Grey heron, European robin, Common pheasant and European robin.

 After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Farmers Arms at Kelsall, where locally brewed Weetwood beers were on offer, Cheshire cat being the chosen one.