What is he on about again?
Hares of course!
Not expected but, as with all meanders in the UK, there is usually something to bring a smile to your face.
This walk did have a specific aim however; to take the clockwork and battery powered feeders we used with Bournville (sadly passed away), to the Carla Lane Animal Sanctuary.
Here they could be put to good use rather than taking up space in our kitchen cupboards.
Our 5.8357 miles meander can be seen at http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6300396
Earlier in the day we had decided to drop them off by car but the weather had changed from windy and showers to windy and sunny. So the meander was planned and off we set, both of us with a carrier bag in hand.
I'm pleased to say that for most of the initial part of the walk, the wind was at our backs.
The initial part through housing estates was sheltered and gardens full of spring flowers, blossom and the usual garden visitors - sparrows, blackbirds etc.
Once we turned off School lane, we were out in the country and apart from the stench from the spray being applied to crops (as we approached the M58), the sweet smell from the abundant blossom, on hawthorn hedging, was very nice indeed.
Local farmers were also setting cabbage plants and the potatoes showing signs of emerging from their ridged homes.
Normally, on a Friday, the M58 would be used to travel to and from work -
now that only applies Monday to Wednesday, as a result of my "phased retirement".
It was along Giddygate Lane (quite an appropriate name - "Mad as a March Hare", just before the buildings where we turned left towards Prescot Road, that we saw Hare number one!
Then as we turned left, in the field on the right, that we saw a heron and the chasing / confrontation / jumping / scampering of a pair of hares.
Having watch them for a few minutes, we continued to our initial target the Carla Lane Animal Sanctuary; passing a fine weather vane on the roof of buildings on the right of Spurrier's Lane.
The contrast of colours at this time of year, especially with oil-seed rape in flower, makes the views even more engaging.
Butterflies, as with our last Meander, were everywhere especially when we turned off Spurrier's Lane towards the wood we could see ahead.
Buttercups being the prominent flower along this stretch, if you don't count the Dead-white nettle.
At the junction
we chose to head towards the wood rather than the Indian Restaurant (that used to be the Hen & Chickens Pub)
and then towards the Farm. Here we had the strong aroma, and bright colours of lilac bushes.
It was then time to recross the M58.
A text message from our eldest, re: meeting that night for a meal pre-theatre, gave Chris a chance to have a sit down, albeit short.
It was then off towards Cunscough Lane and on to Prescot Road again.
Here, and in many other hedge rows, were Comfrey plants
important herbs in organic gardening. Comfrey is used as a fertilizer and as an herbal medicine.
Pausing briefly when we crossed Cunscough Brook,
we walked up to and turned left down Butcher's Lane.
This was probably the worst part of the walk as we were walking straight into the wind. Although still sunny the wind was very cold!
The Liverpool - Ormskirk Merseyrail train crossed Butcher's Lane
just before we went unted the bridge. The coldest part of the walk as the wind was funnelled through the narrow opening.
Just after completing 5 miles of our walk, we turned up Millbank Lane, back across Cunscough Brook and onwards to home.
Another very enjoyable walk which, again for us, had an interesting twist!
Near the end of Millbank Lane we saw a single Californian Poppy!
Why was that an interesting twist? Well on Sunday our Son and family are visiting from California!
Smiles all round!
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