Around Peckforton and Beeston 12th December 2018

On the Sandstone Trail heading towards Peckforton Castle.

Looking South towards Beeston Castle.

On the trail along the West side of Peckforton Hill.

On the path heading towards Willis's Wood.

Looking towards Peckforton Mere.

A Common kestrel in a tree as we approached the road to Beeston Castle.

Crossing a harvested maize field.

The way ahead - West from Beeston Iron Locks.

Looking South west towards Beeston Castle as we headed along the Sandstone Trail towards Castlegate Farm.

Walk stats: Distance: 7.9 miles. Climb:626'.

Time: 3 hours 42 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.5 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.1 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Roger, Celia, Paul and Scrumble.

Dull and overcast with a cool wind making it feel like about 4 Celsius was what we were expecting according to the weather forecast.In fact this was pretty accurate and gloves/mitts were essential particularly during the morning a we crossed the side of Peckforton Hill towards Hill Lane.

 So far conditions underfoot wee good, even when crossing fields and good progress was made. We arrived back at Beeston Castle just after mid-day and decided to use the picnic tables at the cafe grounds for lunch. To our delight, the Sun came out as the clouds wee blown away. Even better Roger had brought us a Christmas treat ,some of Margaret's excellent mince pies. Thank you Margaret.

 In fact we had sunny spells all afternoon and conditions underfoot were soon going to change for the worse!

 Approaching Beestion Cattle Market we had to skirt around deep mud and piles straw/horse/cattle bedding to void sinking ankle dep in the quagmire.

 Once on the towpath, conditions underfoot improveduntil we approached the railway underpass South of Wharton's Bridge. the section from the underpass towards Castlegate Farm, was the muddiest 100 yards on the walk, resutling boot caked up with mud and needing to be cleaned as soon as I arrived at home.

 Birds seen or heard today included: Black-billed magpie, Woodpigeon, Rook, Carrion crow, Pied wagtail, House sparrow, European robin, Eurasian jay, Mallard, Moorhen, Common blackbird, Goldfinch and Common buzzard.

 Overall a very enjoyable walk, although next time we will avoid the path South of Wharton's Bridge and carry on along the canal as far a Bate's Mill Bridge and back the the Beeston Castle Car Park along the road, a little longer, but guaranteed NO MUD!