OUR WALKS 2024
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Tuesday 23rd April. We met up at the car park on Yeld Lane for Jane's walk in Delamere Forest. There were nine of us today and we crossed the railway line several times as we worked our way round to the Go Ape area, where we saw quite a few workers on the overhead platforms. We left them to it and walked on past Blakemere Moss where there was a great
noise from large flocks of birds on the water. We headed off to the Visitor Centre and decided to sit inside for our coffee as there was a cold wind, in spite of the sunshine .We set off along the track towards Yeld Lane, turning left and up the hill to come out just below the masts, from where it was not far to Forest Gate Lane and the car park. A nice walk of just over 5 miles with no rain!
Words and Photos: Fiona
noise from large flocks of birds on the water. We headed off to the Visitor Centre and decided to sit inside for our coffee as there was a cold wind, in spite of the sunshine .We set off along the track towards Yeld Lane, turning left and up the hill to come out just below the masts, from where it was not far to Forest Gate Lane and the car park. A nice walk of just over 5 miles with no rain!
Words and Photos: Fiona
Tuesday 16th April. Today Anne had planned a circular walk from Kings Gate via Utkinton. The recce several days before was muddy but after more rain it was decided to change the walk to a less muddy one. So the nine of us who met at the carpark set off for a short, mud free walk to take in a coffee at Urchin's Kitchen.
Forest England were working in the area, and we saw and heard two trees being felled within the first few minutes of our walk. Those of us who had not been in the forest for some time were very surprised to see the huge difference in the surrounding landscape.
After a very pleasant coffee stop, on the way back we were surprised to see a large tree being felled just a hundred yards in front of us. We had a very informative chat with the Forestry England chap, who was the "safety scout", while watching the tree being stripped and then dragged away by the amazing equipment. The felled trees (hundreds of them) will be put to use in several ways including furniture and fencing, and they will be replaced in time by new saplings. We enjoyed our walk, short but mud-free, with the added excitement of the felling and clearing of the trees.
Words: Anne Photos:Anne, Cathy and Fiona
Forest England were working in the area, and we saw and heard two trees being felled within the first few minutes of our walk. Those of us who had not been in the forest for some time were very surprised to see the huge difference in the surrounding landscape.
After a very pleasant coffee stop, on the way back we were surprised to see a large tree being felled just a hundred yards in front of us. We had a very informative chat with the Forestry England chap, who was the "safety scout", while watching the tree being stripped and then dragged away by the amazing equipment. The felled trees (hundreds of them) will be put to use in several ways including furniture and fencing, and they will be replaced in time by new saplings. We enjoyed our walk, short but mud-free, with the added excitement of the felling and clearing of the trees.
Words: Anne Photos:Anne, Cathy and Fiona
Tuesday 2nd April. Today Cathy led two walkers around a section of Delamere Forest.
Photos: Cathy and Lesley
Photos: Cathy and Lesley
Tuesday 26th March. Myra's walk set off from the car park at Yeld Lane on a surprisingly pleasant morning, after all the wind and rain we have had recentley. We headed off downhill to the bottom of Yeld Lane and past the cycle repair shop, turning right into the forest. We walked along tracks which were generally not too muddy, enjoying the spring-like weather. Crossing the railway line several times, we arrived at Black Lake which is a Nature Reserve with unusual mosses which give a home to rare dragonflies and damselflies. There had been significant felling around the Lake which gave us some welcome seats for our drink stop. Setting off again we headed towards the Sandstone Trail, walking mostly uphill to Forest Gate Lane and back to the car park. Not sure how far todays walk was, but it was enjoyed by us all in some spring warmth.
Words: Fiona Photos: Jean and Fiona
Words: Fiona Photos: Jean and Fiona
Tuesday 19th March. It was a promising morning weather-wise when we met in the community centre car park and as our walk leader had done a recce only 3 days before, it seemed as though nothing could go wrong. So we set off in 2 cars for Marbury Country Park. I could spend the next 6 lines detailing the trials and tribulations we went through before we finally arrived (separately) at Marbury but as life is too short I will only say that our new Whatsapp was very useful and we finally set off for our walk at least half an hour late!
We headed for Budworth Mere, walking the path alongside it with lovely views across the mere to Great Budworth church; the woods were full of white wood anemones and birdsong - one of us had a birdsong app on their phone! And although the trees were still bare there were signs of green to come. We crossed the bridge over the trent and mersey canal and followed the tow path up to the Anderton Marina, turning off shortly afterwards and passing some fishing ponds, although there were few fishermen today. We entered Uplands Woodland; this whole areas is fairly new planting and is part of the Northwich Woodlands, utilizing previously derelict industrial land linking Marbury with Northwich. We were glad to see a picnic table as we were ready for our drinks. Passing through more woodland we re-crossed the canal bridge to head back toward the car park. It had been a warm and sunny day and 4.5 miles felt far enough!
Words: Fiona Photos: Cathy and Fiona
We headed for Budworth Mere, walking the path alongside it with lovely views across the mere to Great Budworth church; the woods were full of white wood anemones and birdsong - one of us had a birdsong app on their phone! And although the trees were still bare there were signs of green to come. We crossed the bridge over the trent and mersey canal and followed the tow path up to the Anderton Marina, turning off shortly afterwards and passing some fishing ponds, although there were few fishermen today. We entered Uplands Woodland; this whole areas is fairly new planting and is part of the Northwich Woodlands, utilizing previously derelict industrial land linking Marbury with Northwich. We were glad to see a picnic table as we were ready for our drinks. Passing through more woodland we re-crossed the canal bridge to head back toward the car park. It had been a warm and sunny day and 4.5 miles felt far enough!
Words: Fiona Photos: Cathy and Fiona
Tuesday 12th March. Fortunately the forecast for heavy rain was incorrect and it was a dry morning with occasional glimpses of sunshine as four of us started our walk on the Trent and Mersey Canal near the Leigh Arms. There wasn't much activity on the canal, just one narrowboat and several coots and mallards passed us. We were pleased when we could leave the muddy tow path behind and walk down past Bluebell Cottage Gardens before heading into some dense woodland, too early in the year for bluebells unfortunately, which brought us out onto the Delamere Way and eventually the River Weaver. We stopped at the Grade 11 listed Dutton Locks for a drink and welcome sit down and walked back along the river to the Leigh Arms, passing the sunken boat called the Chica built in 1894, and spotting a cormorant and two swans on the way.
Words: Avril Photos: Fiona
Words: Avril Photos: Fiona
Tuesday 5th March.Today Myra's walk was around Carey Park in Northwich but before we could begin we had to find some parking - a large group of walkers had completely filled the car park on Warrington Old Road so our three cars (filled with 9 ladies I might add, unlike the others who had obviously all arrived in separate cars!) had to go to Matalan. However as there was 4 hours free parking and toilets as well, we did not complain too much!
We set off in the gloom as it had been raining earlier in the morning, passing through a lightly wooded area which, like the whole area, had been reclaimed from derelict industrial land decades ago; the trees are now growing taller and it was very hard to see two swans on an island on one of the many small pools, making a nest. We carried on and after passing signs to Anderton Nature Park, we found a bird hide. After a good look at the birds on Haydn's pool we had our refreshments on the benches. Setting off again we rounded Newmann's Flashes where the sun came out at last, making our walk back to Matalan via Marbury Lane more scenic with silver birch trees shining against the blue sky and water, with hawthorn blossom lighting up the hedges..
Words and Photos: Fiona
We set off in the gloom as it had been raining earlier in the morning, passing through a lightly wooded area which, like the whole area, had been reclaimed from derelict industrial land decades ago; the trees are now growing taller and it was very hard to see two swans on an island on one of the many small pools, making a nest. We carried on and after passing signs to Anderton Nature Park, we found a bird hide. After a good look at the birds on Haydn's pool we had our refreshments on the benches. Setting off again we rounded Newmann's Flashes where the sun came out at last, making our walk back to Matalan via Marbury Lane more scenic with silver birch trees shining against the blue sky and water, with hawthorn blossom lighting up the hedges..
Words and Photos: Fiona
Tuesday 27th February. Three intrepid walkers set off on our walk today and we were prepared for mixed weather conditions; sunshine and showers were forecast.
We drove to Bickerton church and began the walk following the Sandstone Trail, leading upwards onto the Heath. This is the second largest area of heathland in Cheshire. The National Trust are managing the restoration of the heath, allowing long horned cattle to graze freely in summertime. New pathways have been created to allow for further restoration of the heath. Eventually we climbed up to Maiden Castle, an Iron Age earth and timber rampart. We enjoyed views across to the cathedrals of Liverpool and the Clwydian Hills as we shared warm drinks and a Kit-Kat bar. A strong wind encouraged us to resume the walk, climbing onwards to Kitty'sView, then briskly down-hill back to the start. Words: Dorothy Photos: Fiona |
Tuesday 20th February. Six ladies set out from Northgate in Utkinton, having experienced difficulty parking at the designated starting point. The weather was kind, some of the stiles were rather unstable and it was very wet underfoot in parts, as can be seen from the photograph which was taken at the bottom of the Dog Lane bridle path. It was a lovely clear day with good views over the valley.
Words and photo: Pat |
Tuesday 13th February. Perhaps due to the gloomy morning and rainy outlook, there were only two walkers today for a walk through Primrose Wood. They bravely set out nevertheless, walking through the woods, which are now much less tree-covered than they were a few months ago due to the felling which has gone on recently. They ended up on Tirley Lane, stopping to say hello to the herd of deer in the field before the Kingsgate car park. And it didn't rain after all!
Words: Lesley/Fiona
Words: Lesley/Fiona