Walk & Wednesday Pub Lunch #15 - Saracens Head, Halsall

Our 4.3952 miles (7.0735 km) route, for Walk & Wednesday Pub Lunch (W&WPL) #15, has been saved and you can take a closer look at...

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6589963

It was to...

The Saracens Head, Halsall

What a contrast from last week; today...

• no coats,
• sun shining
• light breeze.

Not the only change however!
Today we went from Maghull Station...

...to Aughton Park Station...

...where our walk began.

We headed up the ramp and steps...

...and, at the top turned right along Long Lane.
At the end of Long Lane we turned right and crossed the A59 (Liverpool Road) at the pedestrian lights turned right then first left, along a track, towards Gorse Hill Reservoir.
Turning right in-front of the many padlocked gate we could see the spire and tower of Ormskirk Church, ahead of us...

Before the large barn we took a left and followed the path around the Reservoir, keeping the metal fence on our left side...

Emerging into a wider open space...

the path is straight ahead in this photograph

...we veered to the right heading down hill.
This area is part of Gorse Hill Nature Reserve...

We kept the hedge on our right, as we left the Nature Reserve, and passed along the edge of a number of fields with various cabbage plants - some of which were in flower...

We emerged onto Cut Lane where we turned left. Across the field we could see, on the left, what turned out to be a new build...

 The brick building was on the opposite side of the road we were walking along (Cut Lane)
There were quite alot of sheep and lambs in the fields near the two buildings...

 At the road junction, we turned right along Narrow Lane, past Acorn Cattery (love the somewhat battered sign)...

 ...fields of horses...

 and Oilseed Rape coming into flower...

 Where Narrow Lane took a fairly sharp right we carried on across the field ahead, with the ditch on our left. This brought us to the Leeds Liverpool Canal where we crossed the bridge and descended onto the tow-path down steps on the left. passing under the bridge...

 ...we continued to the next canal bridge...

 ...just past the Saracens Head, on the opposite bank...

 Before going to enjoy our pub lunch, we went to look at the sculpture...

 ... and the information about the building of the canal...

 ...that started there...

We enjoyed our pub lunch which you can read about at...

http://maghullfoodie.blogspot.com/2015/04/our-15th-w-walk-wednesday-pub-lunch-was.html

After lunch we left the Saracens Head, re-crossed the canal bridge and headed along Summerwood Lane towards the A5147 (New Street)

Here we caught the 300 Bus...

...back to Maghull - from the bus-stop in-front of the church.

Another enjoyable walk that, if you get the opportunity you should try.

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