Return to Hale with some slight changes...

The last time we visited Hale, we both think it was with Jan and Dave, Chris' Sister and her other half.
We also talked about the time we visited with Lynn (my little Sister) her better half Pete and my Dad.
Today's 5.975 miles (9.6159 km) Meander, just Chris and me, has been saved and can be seen at... 

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6593415

We parked, just past the church, in Church Road and headed back the way we had come, past the statue of the Childe of Hale...

...and the "Straw horse"...

Straight on, along High Street, turning right along Ramsbrook Lane, at the junction where the main road takes quite a sharp left.

Just past the last house on the left, and before the glass-houses, we took the footpath to our left.

We followed this initially arch covered path, across fields, with horses on our right...

...and through a small wood to the left of a school.

This emerged onto Alderfield Drive where we turned left.

We followed the road round to the right by which time it was running parallel to Hale Road. 

We crossed the grassy patch between the two roads and headed down Dungeon Lane, keeping the Barrier Fence, of Liverpool John Lennon Airport on our right.

There were not many flights today but we did see an EasyJet depart from Sunny Liverpool...

 ...and three others return.

At the end of Dungeon Lane, the road becomes Oglet Lane, veering right. We continued straight on, down towards the River Mersey...

...looking out for the Mersey Way path to our left.

We turned left along the Mersey Way...

...and kept on this shore-line path, past Hale Lighthouse...

...and on to Withen Way with the Runcorn Bridge ahead on the skyline...

Here we walked away from the Mersey...

...back to Church Road and our transport.

A thoroughly enjoyable walk that included...

• Butterflies: - Peacocks, Small Tortoiseshells, Cabbage Whites, Speckled Wood and Orange Tip;
• Three Buzzards;
• Lots of Oyster Catchers;
• One Heron;
• Curlews;
• Shell Ducks;
• Cormorants;
• Canada Geese;

...just to mention a few.

As you can see from the photographs, the Oilseed Rape was also stunning!

Where had he gone?

Last time we visited Hale it was with my Sister-in-law and Brother-in-Law.
Partly for the walk and partly because of John Middleton - the giant!
Situated across the road from the church there had been a large Beech tree trunk which, in 1996 was carved with representations of John Middleton, Hale Lighthouse and other local symbols, by sculptor Philip Bews in 1996.

Sadly on our last visit, due to disease and in the interests of public safety the tree trunk had been removed by Halton Borough Council. Chris and I didn't know that when we took her sister and husband for the walk.
Today we discovered that in April 2013, the wooden sculpture has been replaced by a bronze statue 3 m tall by local sculptor, Diane Gorvin.

John Middleton (1578–1623) 

...was an English giant commonly known as the Childe of Hale. Most of what is known about him is based on oral tradition and legends. Legend tells that he slept with his feet out of the window of his small house. Tales also credit him with great strength.
The URL for todays 4.1726 miles walk is http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6123444 

Starting at the parking area at the end of Church Road, we headed off down Lighthouse Road to...

Yes you've guessed, the Lighthouse.
We couldn't decide if the tide was going out or coming in. By the end of the walk it was obviously going out.

Constant calls from curlews accompanied us as we walked along the Mersey. The clockwise direction, chosen by wind direction,was a good move.
Apparently the walk, so far had been part of the Mersey Way

 - "Is there any other!"

Oglet Lane was as litter strewn as ever as we headed in land along Dungeon Lane and right onto Bailey's Lane, past the landing lights for Liverpool John Lennon Airport. 

Now sheltered from the wind, coats were unzipped as the sun emerged from what had been a cloudy day.
Just before the junction of Church End, Church Road and Within Way stands the new bronze of the Childe of Hale. He is looking towards the cottage where he lived.  

According to contemporary accounts and his epitaph, Middleton grew to the height of "9 feet, 3 inches" (2.81 m).
Because of his size, landlord and sheriff of Lancashire Gilbert Ireland hired him as a bodyguard.
An impressive bronze but I didn't feel it was as captivating as the Beech trunk carving.
If you visit Liverpool, or live locally, this is a walk worth doing. Bird watchers in particular will, as we did, enjoy the experience.