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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.

Friday, 10 November 2017

Grindley Brook and Marbury 9th November 2017

On the South Cheshire Way Bishop Bennet Way East of Grindley Brook.
St Michael's and All Angels Church, Marbury.
On the path adjacent to Big Mere, Marbury.
Our approach to St Michael's and All Angels Church, Marbury.
Some of the local residents on Big Mere, Marbury.
Two local residents at Grindley Brook.
Walk stats: Distance: 9.3 miles. Climb: 487'.
Time:4 hours 33 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.4 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.0 m.p.h.
Group: Martyn, Sue and Michel, Roger and Mike.
With less than 5% chance of rain we were optimistic that waterproofs would not be needed, but alas that wasn't to be the case and within an hour we were all donning full waterproofs! Thankfully it didn't last and it was safe to remove them when we stopped for lunch.
 Walks like this, are pleasant enough, but don't give many opportunities of seeing views of note. The best view was the that of St Michael's and All Angels Church, Marbury, looking across Big Mere from the South.
 Fieldfare seemed to be everywhere, another sign that Autumn is here.
 Most of the route after lunch involved a pleasant 4 miles stroll along the towpath of the Shropshire Union Canal from Church Bridge, Marbury Northward back to Grindley Brook.
 Birds seen or heard today included: Common starling, Woodpigeon, Rook, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Common buzzard, Black-headed gull, Lesser black-backed gull, House sparrow, Blue tt, Common blackbird, Canada goose, Great crested grebe and Sparrowhawk.
 We arrived back at the car, delayed slightly when a few of the group took advantage of the offer to help yourself to some windfall apples. Thankfully those that did only needed to carry them a couple of hundred yards back to the car.
 After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Horse and Jockey at Grindley Brook where we were first welcomed by the resident dogs, one of which was quite old. The bar staff were very pleasant too.
 As we left the landlord was heard to say " That's what I like to see - a man in still shorts at this time of the year". I wonder who that might be! 
Overall a very pleasant walk.

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