No travelling today, we decided, especially looking at the weather, to stay close to home. So down to Maghull Station and off along the Canal (Leeds And Liverpool) towards Aintree.
Apparently Maghull is listed in the Domesday Book, its name of Anglo-Saxon origin meaning a corner of land where mayweed grows (Chamomile).
Along Brewers Lane, the back way to Melanies, and up the lane through Wood Hall Farm. built in the late 17th Century. Between the farm and the underpass beneath the railway we saw lots of poppies among the oilseed rape...
Under the railway and over the M58 we eventually arrived at the new crossing on the A59. Instead of our usual route over the bridge, we went under it and onwards for about 500m beside the River Alt. Crossing the bridge into the Mersey Forest, we turned left and headed along the opposite bank of the river towards Sefton Village. We kept our eyes open for the 'Owl Statue' as we walked.
We saw the 'Owl'; the forest is growing quite rapidly and it isn't going to be long before he/she can't be seen from the road or various paths; he/she will only be visible in their clearing among the trees.
Cinnabar Moth Catterpillers were visible in large numbers although very small at this time of the year...
Its is wonderful how these prison clad caterpillers turn into such bright moths
As we have already mentioned the origin of the name Maghull, Sefton means 'a farmstead where rushes grow'. It predates the Domesday book and has a 14th Century church, St Helen's, a Grade II listed building.
Down the path we used two years ago to collect elderberries for wine, we entered the Mersey Forest again and returned back to the banks of the River Alt. Oyster catchers greeted us, three of them, as did the rain; we had already got wet from the long grass, now it rained. Up to Showrick Bridge, Chris wanted to cross it, we walked away from the river and around to Moor Lane. At the second path off to the left we were expecting to see a 'wooden sculpture of a hare'...
Anything less like a hare I have yet to see; the long tail wound around a 'stem', and the shape of the ears was enough to confirm it was a mouse!
We made our way along side Roughley's Wood and up onto the embankment beside Harrison's Brook. We rejoined the path (past the elderberry bushes) and on reaching the road looked for and found the capped well of St Helens...
Homeward bound now, we re-passed the Punch Bowl (remember working there Ben?) St Helen's Church and re-entered the Mersey Forest again. Making our way across the forest we ended up walking on an enclosed path across the back of Maghull High Playing Fields; out onto Ormonde Drive and around the corner to the Meadows pub.
Passing through the impressive gates into King George Field, we crossed behind the Town Hall, up the steps onto the A59 and then back down onto the Leeds and Liverpool Canal bank.
We made our way back to Maghull Station and home!
By the way, the Boat yard looks very smart now with new windows etc. I know, it wasn't to be!
An easy walk on level ground, no stiles; pity about the odd shower! Quickmap available at http://quikmaps.com/show/37762
technorati tags:Maghull, Sefton, Mersey, Forest, walk, merseyside
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