Ainsdale Loop via Fisherman's Path

Our Sunday Meander started, and ended, in the car park off Shore Road, Ainsdale.
The 6.2456 miles (10.0513 km) route has been saved  and is available at... 

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6557186

Another relatively clear path, the first part involving walking a short distance around the lake, taking the first path to the left and then heading for the beach (through the dunes).

We took a slight detour to walk around the scrape where Natterjack toads breed. 

No signs yet; a bit early I feel.

Once on the beach...

...we turned left, towards Formby.

After walking for 2¾ miles there is a clear sign...

...showing the start of the Fisherman's Path. Here we turned left...

View from top of dunes; fisherman's path straight on, heading slightly to the left

At the bottom of the dunes there is a notice board which tends to have some interesting information ...

Note the NatterJack Toad Walks!

...and a bit further on a large map. 

We chose to follow the "Old Fisherman's Path" that's clearly marked...

...and provides a more interesting route.

We rejoined the main route and follow the path until just before it crosses Formby Golf Course.

Turning left, we skirt the Golf Course and eventually end up walking parallel to the Merseyrail line between Liverpool and Southport. 

We were lucky to see...

Gorse in flower

...as well as a range of other plants.

Eventually the Mersey Way comes into view and we head towards the railway line, under the road bridge and take the first path to the left.

This path, like the others is marked with posts, with white tops. It is in fact part of the Sefton Coastal Path.

I think this part of the walk provides a wider range of things to observe; for us, this time, it was violets...

 ...gorse...

...boardwalks over slightly marshy areas...

...flowering currant...

...and Auricularia auricula-judae, known as the Jew's ear, wood ear, jelly ear or by a number of other common names; it's a species of edible Auriculariales fungus. 

"The fruiting body is distinguished by its noticeably ear-like shape and brown colouration; it grows upon wood, especially elder. Its specific epithet is derived from the belief that Judas Iscariot hanged himself from an elder tree; the common name "Judas's ear" eventually became "Jew's ear", while today "jelly ear" and other names are sometimes used."

Eventually we reached Shore Road where we turn left and return to the car park.
In spite of the weather forecast, we were lucky; there was a cool breeze but we had sunshine for most of our enjoyable meander.
P.S. Below I've experimented with adding Street View to this blog, just to see if it works...

Views: Formby by Google Maps

It works!