At the monument on Pale heights.
Distant views from Paler Heights could have been clearer!
An unexpected sighting - a Reeve's pheasant.
No-one can argue with that!
Lunch time in the Willington Wood.
A glimpse of Tirley Garth through the trees.
A glimpse of the racing stables through the trees on Primrose Hill.
Spotting unusual stones in Urchins Kitchen.
Strolling through Urchins Kitchen.
Looking back down the path in Urchins Kitchen.
The racing stable at Kelsall.
The final climb of the day - up the steps to the Gresty's Waste Car Park.
Walk stats: 9.3 miles. Climb: 806'.
time: 5 hours 9 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.6 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.8 m.p.h.
Group: Martyn, Roger, Sue and Michel, Celia, David S., Ed Paul and Scrumble.
A pleasant surprise awaited us as we arrived at Gresty's Waste Car Park, lots of stones had been put over the notoriously muddy surface, making it much better.
The first part of the walk was the challenge to cross the busy A51 before reaching the path through Nettleford Wood and onto Pale Heights.
The views today weren't particularly clear, and we spent some time debating whether or not we could see certain features like Jodrell Bank.
On route to the Yeld Lane Car Park and pic-nic site, one of the local residents, an exotic pheasant, strutted out of its garden to see us off the premises. This exotic pheasant was I think a Reeve's Pheasant, one I hadn't come across before.
After reaching the top of Waste Lane, one man and his dog left us to head for King's Gate and the Sandstone Trail back to Gresty's Waste. Apparently to see an U19 football match at Prenton Park and the chance to see who was the better coach out of Steven Gerrard and Nicky Butt. Locally born Ben Woodward scored the first of two goals that made sure that this time, Liverpool ended up winners.
We were a little too early for lunch on Birch Hill, and found a convenient spot in Willington Wood, where fallen trees and exposed tree roots gave us places to sit.
It was surprisingly warm, and felt nothing like the feel like the temperature of 5 Celsius the forecasters had predicted. In fact from this point I left my Paramo jacket in my rucksack - I should have done that right from the start!
As Michel had recently had a memorable birthday, he provided everyone with celebration cakes for us to enjoy - thought to be home made, but turned out to be Co-op specials!
A slight change of route enabled us to take a path running alongside Tirley Garth, but we were only able to get glimpses of this impressive building.
A last minute decision to explore Urchins Kitchen ensured that we didn't get back to the cars until just after 15-00, the time when the Farmers Arms at Kelsall opened. Our first choice for after walk drinks was now possible.
We arrived back at the car, having had a very enjoyable walk, warmer than expected and with boots only slightly muddy compared with recent experiences.
Birds seen or heard today included: Blue tit, Great tit, Winter wren, Wood nuthatch, Black-billed magpie, European jay, European robin, Raven, Woodpigeon and a Reeve's pheasant.
After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Farmers Arms, Kelsall, where Weetwood's Cheshire Cat went down well.
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