Fox, Badger and a Rabbit!

Sadly that was the road-kill seen on the way to Blakemere Moss in Delamere Forest. Not a good start and, in spite of the warnings of rain, we did enjoy our Sunday Meander in Cheshire.
You can access the 5.7904 miles route, that we took at http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6215774.

Starting at the carpark, outside the Bike-Hire and Cafe, 

we headed off towards Blakemere Moss, past the Go-Ape Centre. The paths, except for the odd patch made muddy by mountain-bikes, were good. 

I think it was 1997 that the project started to reinstate this Moss and others in the forest.
As you can see from the images, the moss shows considerable signs of the vegetation that did grow in what now is a large expanse of water.

Apart from the odd goose, mallard duck and the odd cormorant, the most abundant birds were gulls.
Obviously a busy time of year for timber cutting and there are restrictions in place during the week.

But, we are lucky, not at the weekend.
Although we saw lots of walkers, with their wide range of dogs, and cyclists, there were long stretches where all we could hear was the wind in the trees and bird song. On one section we could hear squirrels and see signs of their feeding but,no actual squirrels.
The moss and fungi brighten up the forest floor.

Passing a number of pools

we found most were very dark and like mirrors.

Little did I know, when I went to Winsford, for work, that the moss would attract me back for today's walk which was very enjoyable and it didn't rain.

Today the sun shone!

What a contrast, last week soaked, this week roasted; well not quite but the pint of Cheshire Cat at the Morris Dancers Pub was very welcome indeed!
Today we started at the village of Kelsall which, according to the guide, grew up where a gap in the Mid-Cheshire Ridge encouraged an early trading route to develop. For example carrying salt from the Cheshire salt field to Chester (Deva) in Roman times.
Apparently in medieval times, the development of the village was constrained by the surrounding Royal Forest of 'Mara et Mondrum', parts of which still survive today as Delamere Forest (where we are going to see K.T. Tunstall next Sunday; lets hope the weather is as good!)
The walk itself was varied climbing some 83 metres and walking along part of the Sandstone Trail that Chris and I did four years ago, before I started working for the RSC-Northwest (Based then in Blackpool).
Wild flowers were everywhere especially foxgloves...

...within the woods and on the shady side of all hedgerows;
...and buttercups...

sprinkled (or should that be splashed) across meadows.
Dog Roses, elderflowers and many more were brightening our walk in the sunshine.
Shade was a bonus as, I'm sure you are now well aware, it was hot.
One particular stretch of shade was just after passing the earthworks of Kelsborrow Castle (The remains of an Iron-age hill-fort); known locally as Little Switzerland we decended into a valley before climbing again to join the Sandstone Trail.

An ice-lolly was enjoyed at Summertrees Teahouse which was consumed as we walked along the Sandstone Trail; passed I may add by a number of horses. Nearing the end of the walk, we walked through several fields of fruit trees, which, for this part of the UK, is unusual.
We were both ready for a drink by the time we had completed the 7.0275miles; you can find the map at http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1970422.
Very enjoyable walk with fine views of the Dee Valley to the Welsh Hills.

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