W&WPL #14 The Bootle Arms, Melling

Our 14th W&WPL (Walk 6.1182 miles (9.8463 km) & Wednesday Pub Lunch) route, to the Bootle Arms, Melling... 

...has been saved and can be viewed at... 

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6583151

Starting at the car park behind Costa, in Maghull...

...we headed through to Westway, turning left along the A59 (Northway) towards Ormskirk, then right along Dodds Lane, keeping left at Northway School.

Taking the first right, Brock Avenue, we crossed the park and continued to the T-junction at the end of Calder Drive.

Left, then first right along Mersey Avenue, we then kept our eyes open for a path,between houses on our right, to take us through to Deyes Lane, which we crossed and followed the original road over the railway line.

We then turned right along a signposted path, initially through a farm, over fields, towards the M58...

 Just before the M58 the footpath splits...

 ...we continued straight on...

 ...over the M58...

 ...then left towards Giddygate Lane...

 Just before the entrance to a farm yard we kept to the left down a narrow path...

 ...where we saw the first bluebells of 2015...

 At the end of the path we turned right along the lane to another sign-post...

 ...where we turned right through an enclosed area with fishing facilities...

 Past the pond, we crossed a stile...

...and, keeping the ditch on our right, headed along the edge of the fields. the hedgerow had a large amount of Petasites...

Butterbur (Petasites hybridus)

 Straight across Moss Nook Lane, we continued to the Waterworks, along an enclosed path...

 ...to emerge onto Leatherbarrows Lane.
left then right along Sandy Lane. 
At the next junction, in front of the old school we veered left along School Lane and, at the end of the short lane, turned right and almost immediately left across a field... 

 When we reached the edge of the field we turned right, along another path, to emerge at the junction of Rock Lane and Tithebarn Lane. The Bootle Arms was straight ahead of us...

We stopped here for the Pub Lunch part of our W&WPL which you can read about at...

http://maghullfoodie.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/the-bootle-arms-melling-14.html

After lunch we came out of the Bootle Arms, turned left and headed down towards Brewery Lane. Chris went into "The Delph" to take a look at the Cowslips (Primula veris) - or as we called them in Suffolk, Peggles...

At Brewery Lane we turned left and, after crossing the Leeds Liverpool Canal, we took the path down onto the tow-path and turned left, away from the bridge...

 We continued along the tow-path, under the M58, the railway line, past the foot bridge...

 Over Hall Lane, next to the Swing-bridge and past the playing fields. Here we say lots more bluebells, pinkbells and whitebells...

 On the far bank of the canal we could see Saint Andrew's Church just before passing under the A59...

 A little further on we saw our first ducklings of 2015...

 Continuing under Liverpool Road South we reached the swing-bridge at Shop Lane. Here we crossed the bridge, crossed Liverpool Road North and cut through the small wooded area to our right. Here we saw even more bluebells, pinkbells and whitebells...

 We decided to pop into Costa...

...before returning to our starting point.

In spite of the cold wind and the misty rain, an enjoyable walk and pub lunch at the Bootle Arms...

W&WPL #6 The Royal Oak Aughton Park

Our 6th W&WPL 5.9597 miles (9.5912 km) route...

...has been saved at...

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6533487

The return journey is by the 310 Bus back to Maghull 

As usual the Walk starts and ends in the car park behind Costa in Maghull.

You can keep up with the Pub Lunch side of things at...

http://maghullfoodie.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/the-royal-oak-at-aughton-park.html

Starting from the car park, we headed round the front of the shops, turning left and walking parallel to the A59 towards Ormskirk.
We crossed the A59 and along Dodd's Lane, bearing left when we reached Northway School.
Straight across Kenyons Lane and along Millbank Lane.
Turn left through a signposted gap in the hedge (if you reach a junction with a road coming in from the right, you've gone too far).
Keep the hedge on your right and, when you get to the end of the field, pass through the hedge and turn left.
After a short distance, follow the path round to the right and head up to and through Hartley's Nursery and down to Robin's Island.
Turn right  and head towards Ormskirk. Cross over the A59 (Northway) and look for another signposted path on your left. 
Again pass through the hedge...

...and head straight across the field aiming for the right of a white house.

Here you join Back Lane...

Donkeys and horses will be seen on your left.

We were lucky to see signs of Spring as well...

...and continue straight ahead. Ignore Swan Lane coming in from your right and Sudell Lane going off to the left and you will come to an entrance to a farm.

Turn left along the signposted footpath.
Again we were lucky, seeing our second Hare of 2015.
Follow this clear path through another farm, keeping on the track (Birch's Brow) up to the B5195.
Here turn left and first right up Clieves Hill Brow.
Another 2015 landmark for us, across the fields to our left we saw the first lambs of Spring.

Further up the hill we also saw the first Butterbur coming into flower.

At the junction with Fir Tree Lane...

...turn right and, a short distance along the road left along a path, just before a house/farm, across the fields. The initial part of the path is fenced both sides.
When you reach it, keep to the left of the pond and emerge onto Booth's Lane...

...turn right.
Along here we spotted a dead rook...

...in the hedgerow.
Again, not far along Booth's Lane, turn left across the field and down hill to a footbridge...

...that takes you through part of the Gorse Hill Nature Reserve.
Follow the path up hill and round to the right where, part way along the next stretch, you take a left along another footpath.
Beware of the dinosaur...

You will come out onto Holly Lane where, as the road bends to the right, there are steps up to the left.

Take the steps up to the left and follow the footpath past Gorse Hill Reservoir.
Appropriate plants seen all around...

Ignore the service road to the reservoir but, soon after the road, turn right keeping the hedge on your left. Take a slight dogleg at the end of the field, the hedge now on your right and continue up the hill, through the housing estate and out onto Holborn Hill. 
Turn right and pass Christ Church...

...continuing to the Royal Oak, Aughton Park, our planned destination for our Wednesday Pub Lunch.

Opposite the Royal Oak is the Bus Stop, where we caught the bus back to Maghull. At the time of writing this, they left at 29 Min past the hour.

Another very enjoyable Meander

Avoided the rain. Appley Bridge

Today's walk wasn't expected to take place. Why? Well
the weather forecast last night suggested rain from 9:00am. At that time the sun was shining.
Planning was down to Chris today, it was her turn. Let's just say I ended up looking at the OS map and picking what looked an interesting route.
The URL for today's 4.2334 mile route can be found at http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=5898448.

Start & End at Appley Bridge

This walk could be started at Appley Bridge Station, for those without a car.
As you would expect in April we saw a wide range of spring flowers including...

Butterbur (Petasites hybridus)

Lesser celandine

Forget-me-not (Myosotis arvensis)

Wood Anemone (Anemone nemorosa)

Garlic (Allium sativum)

We walked through a number of woods and/or along their edges. Most included the sound of running water.

Walking up towards Cassicar Wood

Apart from the usual small song birds we saw a large number of Pheasants, Mallard ducks out on the fields, a Jay, a Buzzard and a Kestrel.
We also herded this goose along the path until there was room for her to "goose-under" a fence. (I was going to say duck-under but it seemed wrong)

Her friend was telling us off, very loudly,the whole time.

These were not the only domesticated animals on the walk. Pooh's friend Eeyore had an itch that he was grateful I was able to scratch.

We crossed the River Douglas, the Leads Liverpool Canal and the Southport-Wigan Rail line twice.

River Douglas

Looking towards Parbold

Very glad that, although we had a number of ups and downs, we didn't have to climb Parbold Hill.

Church on Parbold Hill.

What is the last thing you want at the end of a walk?

Fairy Glen

Yes! Steps up out of Fairy Glen.
All in all a very enjoyable walk and the rain started at noon (3hrs later than predicted)