I'm back and we're on the Circular trail

Well Chris and I have continued to do our walks but, no excuse, I haven't been writing them up. 

Why have I started again? 

SPAM! That has probably got many of you wondering what on earth I'm on about or, thinking "I don't like" or "I love SPAM" It isn't the 'meat' rather an email. Let me explain I had an email saying this blog, that I've long ignored, was going to be closed down unless I registered it with my Google Account - it was something I was sure I'd done before and "Why were they using my work email when the blog way registered with my personal email?" Checking the short links actual address informed me that the real address (URL) wasn't a site I would chose to visit, lets just say, NSFW (not suitable for work)

I know I still haven't said why I've started again
I was surprised at how many people were still visiting the blog! The new Stats, available since Google took over, encouraged me to "start again" and I hope that you enjoy the walks we share with you.

WIRRAL CIRCULAR TRAIL

We have started the Wirral Circular Trail, taking full advantage of our Senior Rail-Bus-Ferry cards. In the words of the guide we acquired from http://www.visitwirral.com/wirralcirculartrail - "...a voyage of discovery taking in the coastline, the history, the heritage and the rural countryside ..."

35 mile signposted trail

We started at Hoylake Station and walked From King's Gap along the promenade to the new Lifeboat Station on the left. Here the Mersey class lifeboat 'Lady of Hilbre' and crarriage are towed by a caterpillar tracked Talus tractor specifically designed to launch carriage lifeboats.

For bird watchers among you, Meols Promenade is an excellent spot to observe waders at low tide; it was very low when we were walking and the vast beach with wind turbines in Liverpool Bay provided an engaging view. You can see some of our observations at http://www.inaturalist.org/journal/acljohn/posts/347.

Continuing along what becomes Meols Parade we eventually reached Bennet's Lane and Dove Point.

Be Warned!

Although the guide informs you that the current by-law prohibits cycling on part of the path, no body seems to have told the cyclists!

Leasowe Lighthouse - River Birket

Built in 1763  Leasowe Lighthouse is the oldest brick built lighthouse in Britain. The guide also claims it could possibly be the first building of its kind in the world to use cavity walls for insulation.

Having walked the River Birket in the past, we chose the alternative route along the coast; if you are following the guide, and have not walked the Birket, don't do what we did, follow the walk inland and return to the coast  before Derby Pool car park.

New Brighton Seafront

From the Lifeguard Station, where the coastal path becomes the cycle track, we continued along the seafront promenade keeping King's Parade on our right and the sea on our left all the way to New Brighton.

New Brighton Station Cafe

We almost didn't have a drink or food here as the first impressions were far from good! The Bacon Sandwich I had was excellent! We also found out, from a poster on the shabby walls that New Brighton had a tower; completed in 1900, 10 years after Blackpool Tower and was 49ft taller. Modelled on the Eiffel Tower it attracted over 500,000 visitors a year. War resulted in neglection and it was dismantled in 1921.

Lesson learned - check the wind direction and walk this with the wind on your back; the guide covers directions regardless of the direction you choose to walk.

Watch this space... we hope to continue, weather permitting, tomorrow!

Goosnargh & Chingle Hall

The name of the village tells us something of its origins, for it is a mix of an Old Scandanavian word 'erg' (a summer pasture) and an Old Irish personal name (Gussan). It is possible that Norse settlers in Ireland later moved here, a theory that has some tentative backing as it is said that the original structure of Chingle Hall included beams from Viking longships.
The hall, built in 1620, is also reputed to be the oldest brick house in Britain. If you look it up on the internet you will discover that with its 16 spirits it is also the most haunted house in Britain.
The village has a speciality dish, Goosnargh cakes, a shortbread with caraway seeds. The walk started at the mediaeval church, St Mary's. The walk also goes along the drive of what was a huge mental institution, Whittingham Hospital, now closed.
The guide, from Walking World, tells us that "The village name is used by Douglas Adams twice in his books: once as a Betelgeusian word used by Ford Prefect 'when he knew that he should say something but he didn't know what it should be' and again in his dictionary 'The meaning of Liff' where a Goosnargh is defined as 'something left over from preparing or eating a meal, which you store in the fridge despite the fact that you know full well that you will never use it'.
The walk, although very enjoyable, was very boggy in places and there were some electric fences to negotiate. Chris wasn't impressed by the number of fields with cows and 'Bulls'. One of the highlights of the walk was the herd of deer, shown in the picture below...

You can view our 5.8206 mile walk at http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2335362.

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Kingsley - Bradley Orchard - River Weaver - Kingsley

Leaving Kingsley village, we soon emerged into a countryside of fields and narrow, wooded valleys. The steep-sided valleys are known as 'cloughs' in this area of Cheshire. The fruits and seeds add colour to the walk and providing rich pickings for the birds (We were lucky to see a lesser spotted wood pecker). Eventually our route passed along the top of a gentle slope running down to the river. From this terrace edge there were views downstream towards the Mersey and upstream towards the Pennines. There were occasional glimpses of the factories towards Runcorn. Leaving the terrace for the riverside, we crossed water meadows.

Beside the river there were swans,

geese, ducks, moorhens and coots. The riverside path ran though relatively undisturbed woods that provide good cover for small animals; eventually the route left the river valley with new views opening up towards the Sandstone Ridge to the west.
The area was extremely peaceful and the guide, from Walking World excellent (What a contrast from the previous week.
 You can view our 6.1324 mile walk at http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2335303.

Blogged with the Flock Browser

And it all started so well...

Readers of my blog will know that I'm less than happy with Ron Freethy's Riverside Rambles along the Mersey as either the maps and/or the directions have been found to be lacking. However, having paid £8.95 for the book, I'm reluctant to bin it! So what did we do? We tried another walk. Foolish, as we discovered.
The walk (Walk 15: Moses Gate - Three Waters and two parks) is excellent but the map and directions have little relation to the 'real-world'; perhaps it's a Second-life walk?
Moses Gate with the large flocks of geese...

...was a very pleasant start and, as you can see from the photograph, the sunshine was an added bonus. Thank goodness I'd brought a map with me. The Country Park consists of 750 acres of "Urban Countryside", unfortunately the Warden Service and Information Service, located in Rock Hall was closed! Useful on what is probably one to the two busiest days (the weekend!) Note the map in the book, places the start of the walk in totally the wrong place! Take a look at the 6.594 mile walk at http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2335240. I wont go into great detail about the inaccuracies of the guide but we walked nearer 9 miles and residents, when asked for assistance couldn't help us. The map I've provided is the walk and not our wanderings!
Walking along the Old Line of the Manchester, Bury & Bolton Canal, once we found it, was a pleasure and Ringley Church with the Packhorse bridge, dating from 1677, opposite was impressive.

The walk so far had been reasonable with only two detours which I had sorted using my map and a compass.
Finding Clifton Country Park and Clifton Bridge were another matter; to be fair, there was alot of building going on and the signs may have been removed but we tried several routes and asked 'locals' with no success. However we did eventually find both. Below is a photograph of Clifton Lake...

...dug in the 1960's during the extraction of gravel to build the M62 motorway.
The stone 'sculpture' in the foreground is called Lookout and is by Tim Norris (2001)
We found the Visitor Centre and had a well deserved drink and cake! It was going to be straight forward now surely?
Thank goodness for a good sense of direction, as locals wanted us to go back across the river if we were to "pass the Stoneclough Trading Estate". Instinct helped us find our way back and, on reflection, my bloddy minded determination to complete the walk and a good sense of direction enabled us to succeed.
The question is, do we try another walk from this book?

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Last walk in the Lakes (Monday)

4.3124 miles on Monday morning; you can follow our walk at http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2332882.
Coppermines to the reservoir of Levers Water. It's all uphill down here! Excellent paths and not too steep, we made our way up one side of the stream passing one of many Shepherd's Bridge.

Slag heaps and mine shafts litter the valley...

...as well as a well hidden Hydro-electric generator.
With some discussion about the correct path, we eventually reached Levers water, its depth indicated by the blackness of the water.

Crossing the 'front' of Levers Water we had to climb a little higher before the walk then descends to join one of the main "Old Man" footpaths, back towards Coniston.

We were now on the opposite side of the stream and passed the slag heaps once more...

The path we walked up can be seen in the picture above.
In general, an ideal short walk for a morning or afternoon with some splendid views of the surrounding hills.

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Sunday in the Lakes

Still catching up; on the Sunday it was Walk 6 from the same book as the last walk. The map can be seen at http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2332839. 7.5463 miles from the hotel and back, via Tarn Hows, with a short detour via a National Trust Walled Garden!
The walk through woodland, running parallel to the main road, was very pleasant with a noticeable presence of water, Herdwick sheep were seen throughout the walk with some experimenting with wall climbing...

Along the footpath towards Skelwith Bridge & Yew Tree Farm, we eventually reached Tarn Hows via Tom Gill Waterfall.
The reflections on the Tarn were impressive and again the fine weather and clear skys added to our enjoyment...

During our break, Husky walkers passed us...

Do you like their backpacks?
Leaving the Tarn we headed up to higher ground with even mpre impressive views of the reflections...

We then spent some time walking through woodland following a stream as it headed towards Coniston Water. The detour to view the walled garden was well worth the extra distance; the photographic journal was impressive, showing just what can be achieved with volunteers.
Back on the walk we headed up hill and through more woodlands before decending to Coniston, briefly joining the Cumbrian Way.
A welcome pint at the Black Bull Inn, a 400 year old coaching inn, which has its own micro brewery on-site, was a welcome end to another enjoyable walk...

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Walking in the Lakes

Time for a catch up! Walking hasn't been a problem but writing up the walks has. Chris and I took a long weekend in the lakes and walked on the Saturday, Sunday and Monday morning. Our base was, as can be seen from the photograph below, the Sun Hotel in Coniston.

A 16th Century inn situated on the Walna Scar Road leading to Coniston Old Man. With its exposed beams, flagstone floors and welcoming old range in the fireplace we can honestly say we enjoyed our brief stay. I enjoyed the Coniston Bluebird among many other local and guest ales...

To be fair, so did Chris...

Our first walk, on Saturday, can be viewed at http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2332762. The guide we used was "Good walk, Good Pub - South Lakes" by Meg Brady. If you decide to purchase it, and I would suggest it's a good buy, the walk is on page 57 and is Walk 5. The only difference was we started and ended at the hotel. The walk along the lakeside was in sunshine and was enjoyable; Coniston Hall, with its grass slope up to the 1st floor and huge chimneys, is impressive and even more so from the water (we had a ferry ride later that day).


Apparently chimneys were a status symbol.
A gentle climb through woods, Torver Common, brought home to us the beginnings of Autumn (Fall) with the first signs of leaf changing and fungi showing itself along the way.
We stopped for a snack and a drink, part way up the bridleway to Walna Scar, with fine views across Coniston Water.

Beyond the climbing hut/cottage, we passed through slate/slag heaps and on to a quite spectacular waterfall into a disused quarry...


Onwards and upwards we eventually joined the wide rocky track of the Walna Scar Road and returned to the hotel. The 6.7021mile walk was, apart from the decent back to the hotel, very enjoyable with fine views and varying scenery.
Later that day we took a ferry ride on Coniston Water which, if you visit the area, is well worth the effort. The commentary was informative, Donal Campbell, water speed records, Swallows and Amazons, Films etc. We also saw one of Anthony Gormley's statues, far from the rest that are on Crosby Beach in Sefton. Apparently it was a gift to a friend who lived at the end of Coniston Water. Can you see it on the lawn?

Blogged with the Flock Browser

The Bridgewater and Norton Priory

The URL for todays route is: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2261444 - 5.6 miles in total.
Same guide Riverside Rambles along the Mersey by Ron Freethy; difference is, this time I used http://wheresthepath.googlepages.com/exploreabiggermap.htm, a must for walkers, to map out the walk before we left home.
Whatever you do, if you buy this book, don't depend on either the text or the map; from what I've experienced so far either one or the other is correct but not at the same time!
This time the map is wrong on the return leg; you need to leave the towpath at Norton Town Bridge not Norton Bridge! Be warned.
Armed with map and guide we set off from the opposite side of the canal to a boatyard; it wasn't Preston Brook Marina, as stated in the guide, but was the correct place to start on the map and in the text. Just totally the wrong name!
We made our way towards Norton Priory along the Runcorn arm of the Bridgewater canal.
The fruit laden hedgerows (apples of various types but mainly crab apples, hawthorn berries, elderberries, etc.) and wildflowers were in abundance including the Purple Loosestrife shown below.

Little did we know, as squirrels, moorhens, ducks, jays, magpies etc. crossed our path, of what lay in store for us as we neared Norton Priory.

I thought I'd gone back to my childhood; here we had a wildflower meadow reintroducing 'cornfield flowers' such as corncockle, corn marigold, corn chamomile and poppy. When I was a boy.... Mmmm memories. What a pity the flowers were past their best, although the bees didn't think so!
The Priory wasn't open, we were a tad to-early, but the cafe was; tea and cherry scone for Chris and coffee and choc-chip muffin for me.
The Residents were a little shy...

The last time we visited was with Ben and Neil when they were both at Summerhill; many changes and perhaps a place to visit when it is too wet to walk.
We retraced our steps leaving the canal at the correct place and heading across fields, under two railway bridges and up onto the Manchester arm of the Bridgewater canal.
There was evidence of early growth of fungi probably due to the very wet summer or should that be 'global warming'?

Farmers are still trying to gather the harvest and two 'Holland' Combine harvesters were hard at it.
Another enjoyable walk and a note to revisit Norton Priory in the not too distant future.

Blogged with the Flock Browser

The Mersey At Warrington

Our walk last week can be viewed at http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2261142. 6.6 miles in total. It was the first walk from a book I'd purchased when the car was in for its 80k service; Riverside Rambles along the Mersey by Ron Freethy.
It's a good job the walk was enjoyable because the guide wasn't! I think is was one of the least helpful books I've ever tried to use and the first one that I had difficulty in fathoming where I was, let alone where I had to go.
Enough of moaning - we started at Paddington Bank (which was some way from the A50/A57 Junction it was supposed to be next to) and, once I'd convinced Chris which way was upstream, we headed off towards Manchester. We were soon in open countryside disturbed only by the noise of oars as various crews made there way downstream. I'm not convinced we saw the long disused navigation known as the Woolston Old Cut; it had been important before the opening of the Manchester Ship Canal in 1894.
Water meadows, beside the Mersey, had cattle grazing in what had turned out to be a nice day.

The guide rambles on about the Black Bear Canal which I later discovered was near the end of the walk; God only knows why it was added as the second part of the walk;
You will see from the map that we took a detour and had to retrace our steps; we also missed Grey Mist Pond as there was no indication of when we left the bank of the Mersey. (Remined to myself - plot the walk on the map before leaving home! Grrrrrrrrr!
There was no mention of the canal we walked along and, when we reached Woolston new and old weirs having turned right it wasn't anywhere near where the guide suggested. Any remnants of the gunpowder works seem to have long gone.
Apparently we had to desend to the Manchester Ship Canal, which was several feet above us, and follow the obvious route parallel to the village of Thelwall. I think it is called a towpath! Ron Freethy is, apparently a journalist, his guide has confirmed that you can't believe anything written be a Journalist :-)
Thelwall means a "pool by a plank bridge"
We left the Manchester Ship Canal at Latchford Locks making our way back to the car. We crossed the Mersey once again, on the A50 and I was particularly taken by the lighting on the bridge...

Now I could see the Black Bear Canal that Ron had gone on about at the beginning of the walk; it comes to all who wait! Apparently it was named after an existing pub (much to the disappointment of Chris).
The final stretch was along the river again, upstream, and alongside some impressive allotments.
In general a very enjoyable walk, in spite of the poor guide used.

Blogged with the Flock Browser

San Elijo Lagoon

Just a short 5 a.m walk which can be viewed at http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2158398. The total distance was 3.4881miles.
Starting at El Camino Real road, the idea was to see the sun rise; it didn't as the sky was cloudy! Well it did but we couldn't see it! To spot deer, we didn't, and other wildlife. We saw some ducks, a heron and two rabbits!
Greg said, " I've learned something from this walk; there is no benefit from getting up to start at 5 am!"

That said, it was nice to walk in the relative cool of early morning and the breakfast, at the end of North Acacia Avenue, at the end was far more enjoyable because we had walked.
PS we actually walked further than the map indicates as someone couldn't find the cafe! I wont say who Kathleen. It was called the Hideaway. We had a taste of cactus cooked in an omelette.

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Local Walk and Tall Ships

Our walk this week was from the "Running Horses" in Lydiate, Merseyside, along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, to Jackson's Bridge, and cross country to return via the Old Cheshire Lines Railway.
In total 5.2257 miles. You can view the route taken at http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2099891.
No photographs of the walk this week but still a walk both Chris and I enjoyed. There are a number of places visitors to the area may wish to visit including the ruins of Lydiate Hall (built in the early 16th Century by the Ireland Family who held the Lordship), St Catherine's Chapel (Ruin of a private chapel for the Ireland Family), and the Scotch Piper Inn (Reputed to be the oldest pub in Lancashire and to date from 1320). The church on the corner of Hall Lane is the church of St Mary, built in 1854 by Thomas Blundell. An ancient sandstone cross stands in the churchyard.
The Cheshire Lines path forms part of the Trans-Pennine Trail and also a European Route to Istanbul. I'll give that one a miss; just a bit too far!
The shock of the walk was finding the Running Horses was closed and up for sale; bang goes our plan to park-walk-return-pint and a meal!
Not put off we decided to go to Liverpool as the 'Tall Ships' were visiting the Capital of culture.
We were rewarded with fine views of the ships, from the train, as we passed through Sandhills Station. W e left Moorfields station to walk down to the docks and WOW! There was Richard Wilson's - Turning the Place Over

Turning the Place Over is an incredible piece of public art and a brilliant feat of technical engineering. It seems apt that it should be in the Port of Liverpool as the whole thing is made possible by a specially designed giant rotator, the kind usually used in the shipping and nuclear industries.
Richard Wilson is internationally celebrated for his interventions in architectural space that "draw heavily for their inspiration from the worlds of engineering and construction.
It runs in daylight hours during the summer months and from 7am to 7pm during the winter.
I've put a video of the artwork on YouTube which you can watch at http://www.youtube.com/v/YIOuLThXG-g. Impressive!

We were amazed at the number of people down at the docks; the picture above is an autostitch of three images. It was very well controlled and the crowds were entertained by stilt walkers, in various guises...

and others in fancy dress.
The cruise ship, Crystal Symphony, in the middle of the Mersey was equally as impressive, and far easier to get to see.

An enjoyable day including a trip on the train. What more could I ask for!

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Rimrose Valley Revisited

I'm not sure how long it has been since we walked through the valley park but it has matured considerably. The valley was always subject to flooding; in the 20th century it has been used for tipping, allotments and playing fields and it is only in recent times that Sefton MBC began its transformation. Larger areas, in particular the southern end, feel really natural and its success as a nature reserve is undoubted - even water rail has been heard here. The walk is very flat and took us around the fringes of the park, with occasional detours along boardwalks into the reedbeds.

It is known that reed warbler, whitethroat, reed bunting and sedge warbler have bred here; fleeting sightings and constant bird song provided visual and audible evidence.
The final stretch of the walk took us along the Leeds Liverpool Canal from Buckley Corner towards Seaforth; here we saw lost of fish, including a small (6" long) pike, coots, moorhens, swans...

...a heron...

and, unusual for this stretch of canal, a narrowboat!

I'm sure that once the link through to the Albert Dock is completed, this will become a regular sight again. How nice!
As you can see by the pictures we had fine weather! Sorry I tried not to mention it but, like the walk, it was very nice! You can view the 5.0493mile route of this walk at http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2073667.

Blogged with the Flock Browser

MOSI Visit

Too wet to go walking today so Chis and I went to MOSI (Manchester's Museum of Science & Industry) to look at 'Body Worlds 4: The original exhibition of Real Human Bodies".
As stated on their website, "BODY WORLDS 4 offers MOSI exhibition visitors an unprecedented encounter with the human body in its post mortal state!"

It was indeed a unique exhibition by the creator of the world's first anatomical exhibitions, Dr Gunther von Hagens, BODY WORLDS 4 is stunning.
We were presented with over 200 authentic specimens, including both diseased and healthy organs and whole body specimens that have undergone Plastination - Dr von Hagens' groundbreaking method of halting decomposition and preserving the body after death for medical study.
Plastination is the process of extracting all bodily fluids and soluble fat from specimens and replacing them with vacuum forced impregnation with reactive resins and elastometers, such as rubber, silicon and epoxy. The specimen is then cured with light, heat or certain gases, which give it rigidity and permanence.


Sadly, but understandable, photography and filming is not allowed in the BODY WORLDS 4 exhibition. These images are linked to MOSI's Website and when they update the website will no longer be visible.
There is a charge for entry and, if you want to get the most from a visit, for the Audio Guide (The audio guide, I would go so far as to say, is essential). Specimens on display are assigned a number and have corresponding audio narratives that can be accessed at random. The guide features information on the function and composition of human anatomy, and gives background on diseases and their effects on the body.
A thoroughly enjoyable visit, educational, informative and thought-provoking. By its very nature there are displays of bodies and organs and this should be considered if as parents you are thinking about bringing young children to the exhibition.
We are off to see Paul Simon tonight at the new Liverpool Arena; what a great day this is turning out to be!

Blogged with the Flock Browser