Cheshire's Castle Country

We seem to be revisiting parts of the Sandstone trail, that  Chris and I did four years ago, on a regular basis over the  last few weeks. However the motive this week was that we were off to see K.T. Tunstall in Delamere Forest later that evening.
What castles am I talking about, well Beeston Castle (built in the 13th century), and Peckforton Castle (a 19th Century imitation of a medieval fortress). Beeston wasn't involved in an real action until the English Civil War and was largely demolished in 1646 on Parliament's orders (poor winners who need to destroy something because it belonged to the loosers!)
There were evidence of other layers of history found on the walk; Coppermines lane, a reminder of an industrial element complete with a lone chimney marking the site of the old copper works.
The steep slope of Rawhead Hill,

took us to the highest part of the Sandstone Trail

and on to the impressive crags at Musket's Hole. The walk provided some great views but never a 360 degree panorama; fine vistas appear fleetingly which added interest to the walk. Woods, fields and quiet lanes, with dog roses

all adding to the overall enjoyment.
The National Trust-owned Bulkeley Hill Wood was a high point of the walk with a wide range of deciduous trees, including sweet chestnuts, with very little undergrowth on a broad shelf rimmed by low sandstone crags. Exposed Roots provided a network of links between the mature trunks of the woodland.
I've since discovered that the sweet chestnuts are not a native species; probably arrived with the Romans. They are not, to my surpise, closely related to the horse-chestnut either which I'm told gets its name from the chance resemblance of its fruit (conker). In fact, would you believe it, the sweet chestnut is closely related to the oaks.
I don't seem to have mentioned the start, and end, of our walk; It will be of no surprise to find out it was a pub! The Pheasant Inn in Higher Burwardsley, with excellent views, real ale (Cheshire Cat), and very good food indeed!
Any low points on the walk? Sadly yes! We came across a badger at the side of the road who appeared to have been hit by passing traffic.

If you want to do the same 5.9613 mile walk, the map can be viewed at http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2008044. By the way, K. T. Tunstall was excellent! All in all an excellent father's day.

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