W&WPL #7 - The Ship Inn Haskayne

The 5.364 miles (8.6325 km) Walk part of W&WPL...

...has been saved and the URL for the route is at... 

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6538316

NOTE: We caught the 300 bus back to Maghull.
The Ship Inn at Haskayne...

...was the target for the Wednesday Pub Lunch (WPL) part of W&WPL; you can see our evaluation of The Ship via our Maghull Foodie Blog at...

http://maghullfoodie.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/the-ship-inn-haskayne.html 

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

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.
Bearing left we then crossed the A59, turning right and following the footpath round to the left into Liverpool Road.
Crossing over Liverpool Road, we took the first right into Moss Lane then, a bit further along, right into Pygon's Hill Lane.
Along here we saw our first Dandelions of 2015...

...and some crocus...

Continuing along Pygon's Hill Lane, ignoring Sudell Lane on the right, until we reached the Leeds Liverpool Canal.
The steps down onto the footpath are on the left-hand side of the road.
We descended the steps onto the Tow-path and turned left under Bridge 19...

Bridge 19

We stayed on the Tow-path until we reached The Ship Inn passing a Swing Bridge...

...a family group heading for the winding-hole; they passed the pub, on their return journey, while we were eating...

... another Swing Bridge, which in its current state I doubt would work...

...and The Pride of Sefton 2, a short-boat...

When we reached The Ship Inn, we left the Tow-path, crossing the grassy area with picnic-benches into the car-park. 
From here we went into The Ship Inn for lunch and a pint or two.

After our Wednesday Pub Lunch we went back out through the car-park onto Rosemary Lane. 
We continued until we reached the A5147, Wanishar Lane, where we turned left continuing to the Bus Stop.

At the time of writing this, the 300 Bus leaves this bus stop at...

• 20min or 
• 50min 

...past each hour.
Another enjoyable walk which, as it follows the canal, is fairly level.

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

Wednesday Meanders - New Years Resolution

Chris and I decided that this year, 2015, we would, weather permitting, combine a walk with a pub lunch - every Wednesday! 
You can keep up with the meal side of things at http://maghullfoodie.blogspot.co.uk/.
Last week the weather wasn't that great so we went, via Maghull Square, to the Frank Hornby.
Today we visited two pubs, on our Wednesday Meander, as the first one didn't do lunchtime food.
We walked from home but, to have a starting point everyone can access the walk starts and ends in the car park behind Costa. (that way if the pubs don't do lunchtime food - Plan B -, you can have a meal at Costa)
Today's 6.4193 miles (10.331 km) meander is available at... http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6513920

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 turning left onto Butchers Lane.
Almost immediately bear right, into Brookfield Lane.
At the second Footpath sign, we turned right...

First sign

...passing the fishing pond and horses, 

...before crossing the railway line.

Keeping to the left edge of the field, the footpath does a left, through a gate, and immediately right, following the right edge of the next field.
The leads you to Mikering Lane where we turned left.
Before reaching the railway bridge over Mickering Lane, turn right along a track, and then left through a playground.
Along the track there was lots of "Old Man's Beard".

Follow the road to the right passing through the estate gates onto Middlewood Road.
The road passes Town Green Station, and, when you reach Town Green Lane turn left, over the Railway bridge.
The Cockbeck Tavern is on the right (No lunchtime food available).

No lunchtime food available

Looking back at the Cockbeck Tavern

Just past the pub, turn right down Winifred Lane.
Just at the end of the park/public area, turn left along a signposted path; keeping to the right-hand edge of the fields.
In the corner of the field cross the footbridge,

...heading up the field then, when about half-way across the field turn left; the path is well walked and quite clear.
The path takes you through a narrow woodland and along a path with barbed-wire fencing one side and a hedge the other.
This brings you out onto Church Lane, opposite St Michael's Church.
The Stanley Arms can be seen to your right.

Here they do lunchtime food which is reviewed in the Maghull Foodie Blog.
Continuing along St Michael Road, there is a footpath sign taking you into a yard and through a gate at the other side. Continue straight along the left edge of the field and, just before reaching the building, cut into the adjacent field and on to the style in the hedge on your right.
This is the A59 which we walk along until we reach the Miller & Carter Pub (used to be The Swan).
Cut through the car park and onto Springfield Road.
When you rejoin the A59 continue until you reach Maghull Square again and the Meander is complete.

A very enjoyable walk which we may well do again.