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When? Started: 1993 Who? Started with staff and friends from U H S, Chester. Organiser: Martyn Harris We walk every Wednesday and Saturdays, New Years day and May Day. How many walk? Walks take place as long as there are at least 2 wanting to walk on that day. More walk on a Wednesday than on a Saturday. Most ever: 29. Current group size walking: 2-7 in mid-week and 2-4 on Saturday. Where do we walk? Saturday: Anywhere in North and Mid-Wales, Peak District, Shropshire and the Long Mynd and as far North as the Trough of Bowland. Thursday: Anywhere within about 40 miles of Chester. Type of walk: Distance: 6 – 14 miles (but usually under 10 miles). Climb: up to 4000’ (but usually very much less!). People involved on walks in 2024:- Martyn Harris, Fran Murphy, Sue and Michel Pelissier, Mike Dodd, David Savage,, Ed Meads, Nigel and Elaine Taylor, Winston Feather.

Sunday, 19 February 2017

Alderley Edge, Hough and Nether Alderley 18th February 2017

Old mine workings on the way to the Beacon on Alderley Edge.
The view looking North west from the sandstone ridge on Alderley Edge.
Descending the path from Alderley Edge on the way to Hough.
Part of the Donkey Trail Trek Route back to Nation Trust Car Park  near the Wizard.
Catkins, another sign that Spring is on its way.
On the path heading towards Nether Alderley.
I'm glad we didn't take this route when this was a Maize field!
Snowdrops in Alderley park.
Crossing the footbridge over the Aldeley Edge by-pass.
Looking back towards St. Mary's Church, Nether Alderley.
Walk stats: Distance: 8.8 miles. Climb: 776'.
Time: 5 hours 7 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.2 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.7 m.p.h.
Group: Martyn, Celia and Mike.
To our surprise we set off from the car park with a little rain in the air, but really enough to get you wet and after about an hour it stopped. Distant views from the sandstone ridge on Alderley Edge were somewhat hazy, but at least I managed to see if my app "PeakerFinder" worked.
 The walk across Alderley Edge was probably the best part of the walk as much of the afternoon walk was through farm land with some very muddy sections of path. However conditions underfoot were on the whole much better than those we have experienced in the past.
 We were hoping to take lunch on a seat near a sharp bend on Finlow Hill Lane with views South East towards Over Alderley.
However as usual the seat was already taken. Thankfully a little further on a felled tree provided suitable seats, accommodating all leg sizes.
 After lunch it became quite warm and probably didn't justify the wearing of Winter gear, and every now and again we experienced a welcome cooling breeze.
 In the past I have usually remembered this walk for the mud, but today I think it will be the long trek on the cobbles of Bradford Lane.
Birds seen or heard today included: Blue tit, Great tit, European robin, Carrion crow, Jackdaw, Woodpigeon, Great spotted woodpecker, Wood nuthatch, Common blackbird, Canada goose, Mallard and Common buzzard.
 After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Farmer's Arms at Kelsall, where the tea, yes tea, went down well.

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