One of the information boards at the start of our walk.
The woodland path near the start of our walk today.
Free range chickens.
Not quite up to Mike's singing Asian bird, but at least this rooster's ancestors came from Asia
The information board at the start of our extension through Harmer's Wood.
Only a few Bluebells in Harmer's Wood today.
Bluebells next to the road as we left Harmer's Wood.
More Bluebells on the roadside.
Primroses growing on the verge.
A delightful section of the Sandstone Trail taken by Fran.
Looking towards the estuary as we crossed the field towards Frodsham Hill.
Views of Hale Lighthouse as we headed towards Frodsham Hill.
Forget-me-not near Frodsham Hill.
Hale Lighthouse from our lunch spot on Frodsham Hill.
The Sandstone Trail Path as we left our lunch spot on Frodsham Hill.
More of the Sandstone Trail as we approached the area of Jacob's Ladder.
The steps we used to avoid Jacob's Ladder (now a no go zone)
We are happy to use hand rails too!
It is easy to see why Jacob's Ladder is now a no go zone!
Pausing to admire the view from the Sandstone Trail as we approached Woodhouse Hill.
Looking through the trees from the path that we used to descend rom Woodhouse Hill.
A field of Rapeseed - you could smell it as well.
More Bluebells as we approached the outskirts of Helsby.
Fran's Dandelion.
Dandelions and Forget-me-nots next to the path as we approached the outskirts of Helsby.
Common dog violets next to the path as we approached the outskirts of Helsby.
Yellow archangel next to the path as we approached the outskirts of Helsby.
On the path across the slopes of Helsby Hill that leads back to the start of today's walk.
Distance: 7.1 miles.Climb: 125’.
Time: 4 hour 34 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.2 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.6 m.p.h.
Temperature: 21.7 Celsius from mid-morning onwards.
Beaufort Wind Force: Briefly 2, a 4.2 m.p.h. Light breeze on the outskirts of Helsby.
Group: Martyn, Nigel and Fran.
A superb day for walking, blue skies and warm sunshine all day.
This was a day for emerging Spring flowers and birds singing.
Spring flowers were the bonus today, including: Common dandelion. Green alkanet, Forget-me-not, Lesser celandine, Green alkanet, Yellow archangel, Daffodil, Speedwell, Primrose, Common dog violet and even a few Bluebells. Near Snidley Moor, a sign pointed to a Bluebell Walk which we will have to investigate next time we walk in this area in May 2027.
Birds seen or heard today included: European robin, Common blackbird, Wood nuthatch, Chiffchaff, Great tit, Common chaffinch, Mallard, Blue tit, Black billed magpie, Dunnock, Winter wren and Great tit.
Lunch was taken by the Memorial Beacon on Frodsham Hill, a popular place today, but we managed to take the last available seat, thankfully the only one in the shade.
Good conditions underfoot, but my boots still needed cleaning!
Distant views were rather hazy, but we could just about make out Hale Lighthouse on the far side of the Mersey.
On this occasion, we didn’t do the extension to the top of Helsby Hill, and instead took the lower middle path across the slopes of Helsby Hill back to the start.
Overall, a very enjoyable walk.
Too early a finish to call in for refreshments in at a local hostelry, so I had to wait until I got home before I could enjoy a refreshing pint of Conwy Brewery’s Honey Fayre bitter.
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