A Bluebell Walk Around Parbold 11th May 2017

Bluebells in Hunter's Hill Nature Reserve.

On the track heading South West from High Moor.

More Bluebells South West from High Moor.

Looking East as we crossed the Leeds - Liverpool Canal for the first time.

This is the section missed out today, but would be part of the shorter route.

Crossing the meadow, South of Prior's Wood Farm.

Celia's pink flowers - Pink purslane.

Three of the four large ducklings seen as we had lunch at Appley Bridge.

The sign to those travelling on narrow boats along the Leeds- Liverpool Canal as they approach Apply Bridge.

Lunch with the luxury of a back rest.

Small ducklings on the Leed-Liverpool Canal.

Small ducklings on the Leeds-Liverpool Canal.

Looking back towards Appley Bridge as we crossed the Leeds-Liverpool Canal for the second time.

Bluebells as we entered the Fairy Glen.

Ramson alley in the Fairy Glen.

One of the waterfalls in the Fairy Glen.

Bluebells in a wood North of Sparrow Hill.

Walking through a wood North of Sparrow Hill.

Walk stats: 10.5 miles. Climb: 1003'.
Time: 5 hours 33 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.3 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.9 m.p.h.
Group: Martyn, Sue and Michel, Celia and David S.
This was a really good day for walk, probably the warmest walk day this year with temperatures in the low twenties at times when I was glad to walk in the shade whenever it was possible or enjoy the gentle breeze that blew occasionally!
 As Bluebell walk this lived up to its name, although many of them looked as though they could do with a drink.
 Conditions underfoot were very dry and muddy areas experienced on previous visits were baked hard ensuring that our boots remained clean, but presenting at times somewhat uneven patches to cross.
 Lunch was taken at Appley Bridge, where three three benches allowed us to bask in the glorious warm sunshine watching a pair of Mallards on the Leeds - Liverpool Canal as we had lunch.
 This pair of Mallards had four quite large ducklings, our best family of Mallards was to come after lunch. This time there were sixteen very small ducklings dashing about madly trying to catch the hordes of insects flying close to the surface of the water.
 Birds seen or heard today included: Hose sparrow, Common blackbird, Common whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Willow warbler, Rook, Carrion crow, Common kestrel, Red-legged partridge, Oystercatcher, Black-headed gull, Woodpigeon, Common pheasant, Song thrush, Grey wagtail, Treecreeper and Lapwing.
 After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Netherton Hall, Frodham, now open again after its refurbishment.
 Overall a great walk, except for that final half a mile climb up the road back to Hunter's Hill Car Park.