Avoided the rain. Appley Bridge

Today's walk wasn't expected to take place. Why? Well
the weather forecast last night suggested rain from 9:00am. At that time the sun was shining.
Planning was down to Chris today, it was her turn. Let's just say I ended up looking at the OS map and picking what looked an interesting route.
The URL for today's 4.2334 mile route can be found at http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=5898448.

Start & End at Appley Bridge

This walk could be started at Appley Bridge Station, for those without a car.
As you would expect in April we saw a wide range of spring flowers including...

Butterbur (Petasites hybridus)

Lesser celandine

Forget-me-not (Myosotis arvensis)

Wood Anemone (Anemone nemorosa)

Garlic (Allium sativum)

We walked through a number of woods and/or along their edges. Most included the sound of running water.

Walking up towards Cassicar Wood

Apart from the usual small song birds we saw a large number of Pheasants, Mallard ducks out on the fields, a Jay, a Buzzard and a Kestrel.
We also herded this goose along the path until there was room for her to "goose-under" a fence. (I was going to say duck-under but it seemed wrong)

Her friend was telling us off, very loudly,the whole time.

These were not the only domesticated animals on the walk. Pooh's friend Eeyore had an itch that he was grateful I was able to scratch.

We crossed the River Douglas, the Leads Liverpool Canal and the Southport-Wigan Rail line twice.

River Douglas

Looking towards Parbold

Very glad that, although we had a number of ups and downs, we didn't have to climb Parbold Hill.

Church on Parbold Hill.

What is the last thing you want at the end of a walk?

Fairy Glen

Yes! Steps up out of Fairy Glen.
All in all a very enjoyable walk and the rain started at noon (3hrs later than predicted)