Walk and a train ride.

Today we had options!

1. Walk from Maghull to Ormskirk, and a train back or
2. Train from Maghull to Ormskirk, and walk back.

Yes I know there are other combinations but we were parking at Maghull Station.
Take it from me, the options are useful as the train only runs every half-hour on a Sunday.

As trains are part of this walk, at it's a Sunday, the message on the train, when arriving at Ormskirk, is JUST WRONG!
There are no trains, on a Sunday, to Preston! So why tell passengers to "change here for trains to Preston"?

As you may have gathered we took option 2, as a train was just arriving when we parked.

The 8.3475 mile walk,shown in the image below, can be viewed at...

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6003973

The initial part of the walk is through Ormskirk but, very soon we were walking parallel to the railway line we had just travelled along.

I should point out, that the route I'm sharing isn't the one planned! We made the decision to do a detour when we were confronted by...

...a field full of cows calves and a "Little White Bull"!

To be fair the Bull, well to me, wasn't the problem. The problem was the calves spread over the field, hidden in many cases by long grass. From experience you don't want to get between mum and junior! 

So we did a detour wise move.

Barley was showing signs of turning...

...and, if the elder flowers are any indication, the potential elderberry crop looks promising.

The woodland near Moor Hall also had a fine display of wild flowers, including foxgloves...

Since last weeks walk, we noted that the thistles were now in flower, attracting a large number of butterflys.

The fields, hedgerows and woodlands between Simonswood Lane and Outlet Lane were also a great attraction for bees and butterflys.

Final admission!

We were expecting a phone call at 12'ish and we were cutting things rather fine. So we didn't complete the walk, as shared with you.

We were picked up by our daughter at the end of Spurriers Lane, (about 6.5 miles) so didn't do the last bit. 

Note: we have done it before so there are no problems if you want to do the whole 8.3475 mile walk.

Enjoy walking in the NW.

Rufford - Mawdesley: revisited

Today we revisited the Rufford - Mawdesley walk covering 6.2857 miles; the route can be seen here http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=5995385.

Route

The walk took us through the Douglas Valley and the lanes around the two villages and the Rufford arm of the Leeds-Liverpool Canal.

Bridge Number 5

If you decide to do the walk, note that the car park, at the station, is near to the National Trust's Rufford Hall. That could also be a starting point.
We started the walk just off the A59 at the car park just mentioned. Please be aware that, at the time of writing this, there are no trains on a Sunday.
Some of the paths were a little overgrown, as can be seen here.

Damp legs from the tall grass.

Although a hot sunny day, we got damp legs!
I didn't tell Chris about the bridge...

...over River Douglas

... but she coped very well. From memory, she didn't the first time we did the walk.
We saw a wide range of different wild flowers, 

birds, 

5 cygnets

(including man-made art work)

Jay art-work

butterflys and other wildlife.
The colours and patterns of growing crops also add to the beauty of this walk.

Potato flower

We also saw many domesticated animals, sheep, cows, horses and this star of them all...

All in all an enjoyable sunny walk that included a number of options for refreshments. 
We had an ice cream and a drink in the marina just before we got back to the car. And very good it was as well.

3.054 mile pushchair friendly walk.

The walk this weekend was a revisit to Clockface and Sutton Manor. In part, because we had company.
Emily was staying with Grandma and Granddad so pushchair friendly paths were very important.

Look Granddad...

The route can be accessed at http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=5988726.

Use URL above this image to access route

If you have not been here before, this is an ideal time of the year to visit. The wild-flowers  and a few cultivated ones that have been brought in with top-soil for tree planting, are stunning. Take a look.
The Orchids in particular...

Orchids

Wildflowers grow in abundance on this former colliery site with the woodlands and meadows displaying colourful species such as purple loosestrife, early marsh / spotted orchid and ragged robin. There’s a rich variety of flora and fauna and the deciduous woodland includes wild cherry (ripe in the next 2 weeks or so), oak, ash and silver birch.

Flowers, poems, works of art, iron works and "The Dream"

The images below provide a taste of some of the artwork you will see...

There is also an audio trail which, those who want to use it, can be accessed via QR codes posted on the routes.
The App is also available at http://digital.dreamsthelens.info/ 
Chris and Iplan to revisit soon (if only for the cherries)