Mersey Way - Liverpool to Speke

Our 4.543 miles (7.3113 km) route along the River Mersey yesterday has been saved and can be seen at http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6782699.
We set off from home in sunshine and walked down to Maghull Station, catching two trains to end up at Liverpool South Parkway station.
To be honest, the initial part of the walk, along the B5171 and through Garston, was spoiled by the amount of rubbish on the footpaths.
Once on the Mersey Way, however, things improved considerably. 
I was annoyed that I'd forgotten my monocular as the tide was out and the number of birds along the river was amazing.
Take a look at the slideshow of some of the photographs I took...

or go to https://sharalike.com/s/kXTk
Our plan had been to return by train, from Hunts Cross, having gone back inland after John Lennon Airport. That wasn't to be as there was a sign, on the Mersey Way, telling us we couldn't continue any further - no reason given.
So we went back through Speke Hall and went to Dobbies for lunch.
We then caught a bus back into Liverpool, a train back to Maghull and a walk home; by which time we were walking in sleet.

An enjoyable walk and the big plus for going on a Saturday, rather than our usual Sunday walk, was the frequency of Buses and Trains.

Return to Hale with some slight changes...

The last time we visited Hale, we both think it was with Jan and Dave, Chris' Sister and her other half.
We also talked about the time we visited with Lynn (my little Sister) her better half Pete and my Dad.
Today's 5.975 miles (9.6159 km) Meander, just Chris and me, has been saved and can be seen at... 

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6593415

We parked, just past the church, in Church Road and headed back the way we had come, past the statue of the Childe of Hale...

...and the "Straw horse"...

Straight on, along High Street, turning right along Ramsbrook Lane, at the junction where the main road takes quite a sharp left.

Just past the last house on the left, and before the glass-houses, we took the footpath to our left.

We followed this initially arch covered path, across fields, with horses on our right...

...and through a small wood to the left of a school.

This emerged onto Alderfield Drive where we turned left.

We followed the road round to the right by which time it was running parallel to Hale Road. 

We crossed the grassy patch between the two roads and headed down Dungeon Lane, keeping the Barrier Fence, of Liverpool John Lennon Airport on our right.

There were not many flights today but we did see an EasyJet depart from Sunny Liverpool...

 ...and three others return.

At the end of Dungeon Lane, the road becomes Oglet Lane, veering right. We continued straight on, down towards the River Mersey...

...looking out for the Mersey Way path to our left.

We turned left along the Mersey Way...

...and kept on this shore-line path, past Hale Lighthouse...

...and on to Withen Way with the Runcorn Bridge ahead on the skyline...

Here we walked away from the Mersey...

...back to Church Road and our transport.

A thoroughly enjoyable walk that included...

• Butterflies: - Peacocks, Small Tortoiseshells, Cabbage Whites, Speckled Wood and Orange Tip;
• Three Buzzards;
• Lots of Oyster Catchers;
• One Heron;
• Curlews;
• Shell Ducks;
• Cormorants;
• Canada Geese;

...just to mention a few.

As you can see from the photographs, the Oilseed Rape was also stunning!

Just before Christmas and it's closed!

What was?
Speke Hall! All the signs said Winter opening at 11:00 but, after today's meander, it wasn't open and others were turning up (in their cars), turning round and leaving. Equally surprised that they couldn't purchase National Trust gifts from Speke Hall's Shop.

The walk today, shown in the image above, was 3.6799 miles and can be seen at http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6161996
Starting from the Car park, we set off back along the drive, before turning into Stockton's Wood. 

 Magpies...

 and autumnal fungi everywhere...

There is nothing quite like the smell of wood in Autumn.
Speke Hall was visible as we emerged from the woodland, crossed the entrance drive and walked around the edge of the meadow ahead of us.

The path took us along the edge of what must have been part of the airfield at one time and provided views across the Mersey. The refinery...

...reflections of the sun...

 ...and tankers progressing up river.

 Bright hips standing out from their surroundings... 

 and a constantly changing sky...

 ...added to the Autumn/Winter scene.

The one other thing we can be sure of when we walk at,or around Speke Hall,is the landing and/or take off of aircraft from John Lennon Airport.

The only disappointment was that Speke Hall closed but, Dobbie's Garden Centre provided shopping opportunities and lunch...