Maghull Costa Loop

This Meander starts and ends at Costa, in Maghull.
The map for today's 5.1191 miles (8.2384 km) meander is available at http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6508058

...and we couldn't have wished for a nicer day; frosty, mist in places and bright sunshine!
The first mile, takes you along Northway, Dodd's Lane and across Park Lane into Millbank Lane.
Quite a few of our Meanders have started along Millbank Lane.

Sunny, Misty and Frosty

Keep your eyes open for the footpath, on the left, that takes you across fields, past Hartley's Nursery (good food if you want to have a snack) and down Old Lane, to the A59 at Robin's Island.
In Old Lane, I took these pictures using a Macro-Lens on my iPhone (a Christmas present) 

Frost on fence 

As you can see, it was frosty. 
The route continues along Moss Lane at then right onto Pygon's Hill Lane.
There's something special about the sound of cracking ice on frozen puddles which was enhanced by the constant company of Robins on different stretches of the walk.

Crunch, crunch...

Over the bridge and down onto the towpath.
We followed the towpath, of the Leeds, Liverpool Canal, until we reached the swing-bridge at Shop Lane.
Although the hedgerows were lacking leaves, they were still green with lichens and robins kept us company as did...

• ducks, 
• coots, 
• moor-hens, 
• swans, 
• blackbirds, 
• thrushes, 
• redwings, etc.

Leeds, Liverpool Canal

Near the "Running Horses" there were catkins! A tad early me thinks!

Turning left, once on Liverpool Road North, we cut through the small coppice of trees before the traffic lights and back to Costa.
Here we enjoyed lunch.

All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable walk.

Siding Lane (Kenyon's Wood), 5.8353 miles, Loop walk via Rainford Junction

Access to the carpark is down Siding Lane, off A570 (Junction 3 on M58). The map for this walk is available at...
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=5888699 

5.83553 mile walk.

Starting in the Nature Reserve Car Park, on a much warmer but cloudy day (14th April 2013), we set off along a path we have walked a number of times, up into Kenyon's Wood.

All about the Nature Reserve

Walking parallel to the railway line we arrived at the Rainford Nos 1 & 2 Shafts (see detail below)

Rainford Colliery

I find it difficult to imagine how different this area must have been when it was a working mine.  
Descending and passing the large pond, we leave Kenyon's Wood passing an area of scrubland on our right. There's an Informative sign about the Grassland Management, of this area, and how it provides an ideal habitat for...

• Birds: Meadow Pipit,Skylark, Lapwing (Green Plover) and Partridge.
• Small Mammals: Bank and Field Vole,Shrew and Pygmy Shrew.
• Butterflys: Meadow Brown, Orange Tip, Common Blue and, my favourite, Speckled Wood.

Next, we walk through a narrow strip of woodland, emerging on a clear path across farmland to Ben Lane.

Leaving  Rainford Colliery

The addition of a letter "T" is probably local humour - it doesn't take into account that it is quite straight. Our company consisted of Skylarks, and Lapwings (Green Plovers), for most of the walk.
We walk along the edge of Barker's Bridge Wood, having climbed a style at the wood's corner,and cross the A570 and up Coal Pit Lane.
There seems to be a great awareness of "working with nature" in this area of the North West. A sign on a barn highlights this...

http://www.leafuk.org/leaf/home.eb

LEAF's Website is well worth a visit,in particular for learners on Land-based courses.
When sheltered from he wind and light rain, it is really a nice day. Now, while I'm writing this, the sun is out and no longer raining.
The little warmth we have had, over this week, has changed the farmland. Crops are emerging and,along with the emerging leaves in hedgerows, everywhere is so much greener.

Emerging crops.

By now,we were walking into both wind and rain and were pleased every time hedges, woodlands, etc., provided shelter; in particular from the wind.

 
Having crossed the railway line, via a bridge, we continued parallel to the line to Rainford Junction Station.
Through the car park, we entered Rainford Linear Park

A small well kept park to the left of the allotments. Then turning right onto Junction Road (an Old disused line) we recrossed the railway line; care needed as the line is a main Wigan-Liverpool line.
Ignore, if it hasn't been turned back, the footpath sign that send you along the road. Instead turn left, parallel to the railway line, along the edge of Rainford North End Recreational Club's ground. Through another wood and,when emerging onto a path near another railway bridge, turn right then, first left along Red Delph Lane.
Crossing the A570 again,we returned to the car along Siding Lane.

...and then off for lunch at Hartleys Nurseries http://www.hartleysnurseries.co.uk/