On the Edge of Delamere Forest, Pale Heights and Eddidbury Castle 29th November 2023

On the Sandstone Trail.

"

"I think it's this way."

"This way looks OK."

Fran explains all!

"I think it's this way."

A Raven rests on the Pale Heights microwave mast.

A closer look at the Raven.

At Pale Heights - is it social distancing again!.

The Clwydian Hills from Pale Heights.

Just to remind Ed what he missed today!

Just beore leavig Pale Heights.

Starting on the Eddisbury Castle bypass.

The panorama looking north eastward from Eddisbury Castle.

This is the the less muddy of the paths!

Nearly back on the Sandstone Trall.

Walk Stats:
Distance: 5.4 miles. Climb: 643’.
Time: 2 hours 34 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.4 m.p.h.
Overall walk average: 2.1 m.p.h.
Temperature: 0.0 Celsius at the start on the Sandstone Trail. 3.0 Celsius Pale Heights and the rest of the walk.
Beaufort Wind force: 0. Calm throughout the walk, no measurable wind at all!
Group: Martyn, Sue and Michel, Fran, Elaine and Nigel, Mike and David S (the leader)
The weather forecast today was pretty good, although expected to be cold at 3 Celsius maximum feeling like 1 Celsius.
The icy walk for his daily paper by the leader (around 07-00), resulted in the decision to move the start from The Yeld to Gresty’s Waste at Primrose Hill, Kelsall. Lots of others must have decided the same as the car park was pretty full, we only just arrived in time to get a parking spot.
The weather turned out to be good for walking and never felt as cold as the measured temperature. I am sure No wind and bright sunshine helped!
DS decided that he wanted to investigate a couple of paths that he had seen on the OS map but had never previously used. I don’t think anyone else in the group had either. It’s always a bonus to explore such paths as it gives us more options when we walk in this area again.
We arrived at Pale Heights in glorious sunshine and lingered there awhile taking in the 360 degree panorama and most of us had warm refreshing drinks s well.
We had walked at a reasonable pace, so DS decided that we had enough time to take in the Eddisbury Castle option and still get back to the Morris Dance in time for 13-00, the time the table had been booked.
Birds seen or heard today included: European robin Wood nuthatch, Common starling, Jackdaw, Raven Rook, Goldfinch, Common blackbird and Carrion crow.
Overall an enjoyable walk, ending with boots that weren’t very muddy and only took ten minutes to clean after standing a while in water.
A bonus for me is that it will be my last Delamere Forest walk for 2023!
We arrived at the Morris Dancer in perfect timing, ten minutes before we were due. Everyone enjoyed their meals, despite the vegetables being cooler than we would have liked. It was good to see that several real ales under 4% were on offer, several being sampled and enjoyed.

An Eddisbury Castle and Delamere Forest Round 14th June 2023

The start of a delightfl path towards the King's Chair.

Near the gateway to eddisbury Castle.

At the Pale Heights Cairn.

our slunch spot at the Delameare Forest Outdoor Education Centre.

A red squirrel in Delamere Forest.

A mouse in Delamere Forest.

A ral Grey squirrel in Delamere Forest.

Can you spot any birds on Blakemere?

No, but that isn't unusual!

Walk stats: 6.3 miles. Climb: 696’. (More for the rest of the group.)
Time: 3 hours 7 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.5 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.0 m.p.h.
Temperature: 20.2 Celsius at the start. 25.0 Celsius at lunch. 25.5 Celsius at 13-10 in the shade at The Yeld.
Beaufort Wind Force: 0 – 3. At best on Pale Heights an 8.0 m.p.h. Gentle breeze on Pale Heights
Group: Martyn, Mike and Ed.
It was a pleasant enough temperature when we set off, hoping that it wouldn’t rise too much and the wind would be more noticeable. Hope it was and the temperature continued to rise throughout the day and the wind never seemed to have enough “puff”.
Distant views from Eddisbury Castle ramparts were very hazy but we did just about make out the mast on Sutton Common and Shutlingsloe nearby.
This was confirmed when we arrived at Pale Heights as the cairn here had plaques indicating what you could see in the distance.
We arrived at the Delamere Forest Visitor Centre a minute or two before mid-day but decided that this was a good place to stop for lunch.
We were able to use the picnic tables by the Outdoor Education Centre that thankfully were in the shade of the nearby trees.
It looked like getting unpleasantly hot for me, so I headed straight back to The Yeld and let the others continue on the route as planned.
I made the right decision for me, finding a picnic s table in the shade and s being cooled by a pleasant breeze.
I expected the rest of the group to arrive back about an hour after me, but they took a bit longer than expected, but I hadn’t taken into account Mike extending the walk!
Birds seen or heard today included: Woodpigeon, Common buzzard, Common whitethroat, Barn swallow, Blackcap, Common blackbird, Goldfinch, Black billed magpie, Carrion crow, Winter wren, Wood nuthatch, European robin and Common kestrel.
After walk drinks were enjoyed by two of the group at the Stamford Bridge Country Inn, where a 4.7 % Hyde’s brew seemed to go down particularly well!

A Shutlingsloe Round from Trentabank 10th June 2023

Trentabank Reservoir.

The start of the walk through the trees.

A good place to stop for elevenses, but it was a little too early.

On the paved path to Shutlingsloe.

Shutlingsloe "bagged" at last!

At the trig point on Shutlingsloe.

Shutlingsloe from the north east.

Descending on the Wildboarclough Path.

Shutlingsloe from the south east.

Cows on th run, but they slowed down by the time I got my camera ready.

"Just checking the green lid!"

On the path through Oaken Clough.

Looking over Oakenclough towars Shutlingsloe.

Sutton Common on the skyline.

Tegg's Nose - out of favour today.

"Not more walkers disturbing me."

Walk stats: 8.8 miles. Climb: 1660’.
Time: 5 hours 25 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.0 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.6 m.p.h.
Temperature: 17.2 Celsius at the start. 21.2 Celsius at lunch. 27.8 Celsius – mid-afternoon.
Beaufort Wind Force: 0 – 4. Mainly an intermittent light breeze, but once reached an 18 m.p.h. moderate breeze between Higher Nabbs and Lower Nabbs Farm..
Group: Martyn, Ed and  Mike.
The lesson learned today was don’t use the SatNav to get to the Trentabank forest car park.
Arriving at the start, the temperature was a pleasant 17.2 Celsius but unfortunately the temperature continued throughout and by mid-afternoon it felt too warm for comfort whenever we were in the full glare of the Sun.
The route from Trentabank was well marked and plenty of walkers were already on their way down.
More stones had been laid on the ascent of Shutlingsloe than I remember, and some steps have been added (some quite challenging for walkers with short legs!).
We stayed briefly on the summit of Shutlingsloe, enough time to take the obligatory photos and decide what route we would take on the descent.
I took one look at the described descent and my recollection of doing once before and made the decision to descend the way I had gone up and take the Wildboarclough path around the eastern side of Shutlingsloe.
As we contoured around Piggford Moor we met a group young women, when one of them recognised me and called out my name. It turned out to be an ex-pupil, Ruth Everitt from UHS. One of the others like Mike was going to do the Three Peaks in July.
By now it was just after 12-00, so we were keen to find somewhere in the shade to stop for lunch. Just after Greenway Bridge we found a few trees that at least sheltered us from the direct Sun’s rays.
We decided to extend the walk slightly by following the Gritstone Trail towards Ridgegate Reservoir rather than just following the road.
Distant views were very hazy, but at least it didn’t threaten to rain.
Everyone was happy to miss out Tegg’s Nose and go straight to the Trentabank Car Park.
We arrived back at the cars, grateful to be able to take our boots off and wipe our face and neck with a cloth soaked in cold water!
Birds seen or heard today included: Woodpigeon, Willow warbler, Common pheasant, Mallard, Barn swallow, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Common blackbird, Goldfinch, Skylark, Meadow pipit, Canada goose, Carrion Great cormorant and Common kestrel.
At times this was an enjoyable walk, but the oppressive heat toward the end marred the overall feeling about the walk. At least Ed managed to “bag” Cheshire’s highest hill!
We all went directly home and arrived just after 17-15 and the thunder and rain started at 17-55, and it was still raining heavily at 19-35.

 

Bosley Cloud and Its Environs 1th February 2023

St Mary the Virgin Church, Bosley.

Snowdrops on the path adjacent to St Mary the Virgin Church, Bosley. 

St Mary the Virgin Church, Bosley, from the path on on its southern side.

Heading for Bosley Cloud.

Catkins another sign of Spring.

Bosley Cloud is getting closer!

Nearly at the trig point on Bosley Cloud.

At the trig point and toposcope on Bosley Cloud.

or

"I don't believe I think I can sere Moel Famau."

The way head along the Gritstone Trail.

A better view of Jodrell Bank telescope in the distance.

A few Canada geese (>50 in all) heading for the Macclesfiekl Canal.

The aquaduct is ahead with Sutton Common mast on the skyline, it's time for us to leave the towpath.

The canal aquaduct over the River Dane can just be made out through the trees.

An intertesting bench in the grounds of St Mary the Virgin, Bosley, but what happened on 17th July 2015?

Sadly it asks us to remember four workers who lost their lives in an explosion at a nearby Mill.

Walk stats: 

Distance: 9.1 miles. Climb: 1070.

Time: 4 hours 41 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.3 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.9 m.p.h.

Temperature: 11.7 to 14.32 Celsius.

Beaufort Wind Force. 2 / 3 Light to Gentle breeze, but for much of the walk we were sheltered from any prevailing winds.

Group: Martyn, Ed and Mike.

A good day for walking, quite warm and verry little rain on the forecast. In fact I didn't where a waterproof jacket throught the walk, others did!

hading for Bosley Cloud, the only thing of note were the Snowdrops and Catkins, remindng us that Spring is here.

the gentle climbup the east ridge of Bosley Cloud was marked out by a well defined path letting you know exactly where they wanted you to walk.

Having declined our usual lunch spot before reaching the Macclesfield Canal as  being too muddy, we eventually found an unexpected spot on the tow path, a set of canal planksthat we just about managed to perch on with legs tangling!

Mike and Ed had the best views, looking towards Bosley Cloud and being entertained by two horses one of which went too close to an electricfied fence and made a lot of noise ast ran off.

I had only a happy bush to look at, although In a way I did watch a farrier treating a horse.

After lunch we had the long stretch along the towpath of the Macclesfield Canal, easy going, but not a lot to distract us, although Bosley Cloud seemed to be following us!

Birds seen or heard included: Greenfinch, Bluetit, Great tit, European robin, woodpigeon, Black billed magpie, carrion crow, Rook, Jackdaw, Mallard, Canada goose, Wood nuthatch and Moorhen.

We arrived back at the car, having had a good walk and looking forward to some liquid refreshment at the Stamford Bridge Country Inn where Hyde's brews were on offer. Lowry Bitter and Original bitter were sampled (by me after getting home), A pot of tea was my tipple at the Stamford Bridge today!

I even arrived home i time to watch the Newcastle and Liverpool match.

A good day for ll, Liverpool, Chester and even Everton all won!