Walk & Wednesday Pub Lunch #17 The Grapes, Thornton

We were off to Thornton for a second time and, as this was the case, I looked for an alternative route.
Our planned 5.5564 miles (8.9422 km) walk has been saved and can be seen at... 

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6608905

Today we used public transport, more than once.
Initially using the bus...

... to get to Maghull Station, then the train...

...found a metro to read on our journey

...to get to Hightown Station where our walk started.
We headed off along Lower Alt Road and turned left at the end, parallel to the River Alt...

We were now on the Sefton Coastal Path, which is marked with posts, many with white tops.
The Red Flag...

...wasn't really needed; the sound of gun fire, from Altcar Training Camp, could be heard throughout our walk.
As you can see, the paths were very clear...

 After a relatively short walk, we emerged at the sailing club where a sign...

 ...provides information about Prehistoric Altmouth.
As it was low tide, we followed the sign...

 ...to view the remains of the submerged forest.
We then continued along the Sefton Coastal Path enjoying the views, birds, flowers etc...

Launch pier at sailing club...

 Including "Argentina anserina", also known as common silverweed, silverweed cinquefoil or just "silverweed", is a flowering perennial plant in the rose family Rosaceae...

 When we reached the H M Coastguard Station we turned left along Hall Road West.
There were lots of signs pre-warning everyone that parking will be limited when the 3 Queens visit (25th May 2015)...

The Three Cunard Queens...

• Queen Mary 2, 
• Queen Elizabeth and 
• Queen Victoria 

...will meet in the River Mersey for the first time in an event that will make maritime history. 
(Find out more at http://www.visitliverpool.com/whats-on/cunard-lines-three-queens-meeting-p353341)

 

 We continued past Hall Road Station where Hall Road West becomes Hall Road East.
At the sharp corner, we continued straight ahead, along a footpath (Dibb Lane) to Little Crosby. 
Here we turned right, along Little Crosby Road, past the memorial...

 ...and. at the Gate House, followed the path, with the wall on our left, to Virgins Lane where we turned right.
Again, as we've found during May, there was lots of bird song...

 ...ladybirds...

 ...and blossom...

At the end of the lane, at the traffic lights, we turned left, checked the bus timetable and then, at the next set of lights turned right again into Green Lane.
After a short distance, we reached our destination...

What was the Pub Lunch like?

Take a look at... 

http://maghullfoodie.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/the-grapes-thornton-our-17th-w.html 

After lunch it was back to the bus stop to catch a bus back to Maghull Square.

So that's the 17th walk done for our 

Walk and a Wednesday Pub Lunch, 

and very enjoyable it was too!