W&WPL #10 The Rocking Horse, Aintree

Our 4.7259 miles (7.6056 km) route has been saved at... 

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6553928

The Wednesday Pub Lunch element can be viewed at...

http://maghullfoodie.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/the-rocking-horse-aintree-10.html

Our starting point today was Maghull Railway Station, which we reached via Bus.

Leaving the station car park, we turned left along Melling Lane, crossed the railway line and continued until we reached Brewers Lane.
Here we turned right, across the canal bridge and then doubled back on ourselves onto the Leeds Liverpool Canal tow-path.

If you follow our Meander, I hope the wind isn't as cold or as strong as it was when we did the walk.
We followed the canal until we reached the second swing bridge, on B5194 (Aintree Lane), where we crossed the bridge and headed towards Aintree Racecourse on a clearly signposted path.
Don't be put off by the fence ahead, as the path is hidden behind bushes.
Again the path is clear and we were lucky to see so many signs of spring... 

...and, when we reach the bridge over the A59 (Warbreck Moor), we crossed the bridge and descended the steps, on the left-hand side.
Crossing the road at the pedestrian crossing we turned left and continued along the A59 until we reach The Rocking Horse on our right.

Aintree Station is on the opposite side of the road which you can use to return to Maghull Station.
We went to Liverpool to see 2p to cross the Mersey at the Epstein Theatre

Apart from the cold wind and the odd spot of rain, 

an enjoyable walk.

It just seemed so wrong!

If you have travelled on Merseyrail, from Maghull towards Liverpool, you'll know what I mean.
The plan was to park at Maghull Station, catch a train to Aintree and walk back to Maghull.
Doesn't sound that great until you realise it includes walking along the Liverpool Loop Line, skirting Aintree Racecourse (the Canal Turn and other jumps), along the tow-path of the Leeds Liverpool Canal and up through Melling, past the Bootle Arms (sadly not open, we were too early) and back to Maghull Station.
The URL for this 4.3938 miles route is available at http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6171506
So what was wrong?
Well the train from Maghull left from Platform 2 (the one nearest the carpark) not Platform 1, it's usual departure platform.
Why?
A bus replacement from Maghull to Ormskirk and, I assume, someone thought it would be nice to save people the walk over the footbridge. How nice and considerate I hear you thinking.
The impact?
For those who read the Rail Matrix some confusion but for others - well they walked over the footbridge and then back again once they realised their error.
And yes it did feel so wrong as we pulled off towards Aintree and the start of our walk.
Although cold it didn't take long to get warm as we made our way towards the Loop Line. 
The Pellican Crossing on the A59 seemed to have taken Sunday off as we ended up, after two complete changes of lights for traffic, crossing when there was a gap in traffic flow.
Can quite see why people don't wait for the "Green Man"!
Lots of birds flitted in and out of the trees bushes etc., as we walked along the LoopLine

and blossom was evident on some plants.

 

The jumps on Anitree Racecourse don't seem as impressive in their Winter format but a number of people were taking advantage of the footpath to exercise their dogs and/or wear out their children.

Ducks, Moorhens and Coots were expecting food but, I don't know why, we never seem to remember to take food for them.
Anyhow,if the Wetland Trust are correct, they shouldn't be fed with bread.
Leaving the tow-path we headed up towards Melling along probably the only muddy, wet stretch of the walk.

Past the closed Bootle Arms, very sad, it was all downhill to Maghull Station and then off to Costa for Lunch.

Started to rain just before the M58 but we were lucky with the weather and it was an enjoyable walk.