Saturday 13 April 4 Miles
Donna, Tracey and Jane
We were hoping for some sunny weather for a change - but of course it was raining as we started off.
We parked on the car park just off the A566 by the Blue Bridge that goes over the River Weaver. We did wonder whether to put on our waterproof trousers but it seemed to have stopped raining so we didn't.
Following Vale Royal Drive we walked through the woods. After about half a mile, we passed under the Vale Royal railway viaduct. We stayed on the drive goin passed Vale Royal Abbey, beyond the main house we followed the road passed the gabled former stables on the left. We picked up a track that continued ahead through a gate. Ignoring crossing paths, we followed the track towards Whitegate village.
At Sutton Field we turned into Church Wood, owned by the Woodland Trust. We went right at the noticeboard and followed the main path, ignoring turnings to right and left. There were people working in the woods cutting down trees and sawing the branches. At the wall we turned left by a footpath sign. Along this path we met more people cutting down trees, they were volunteers working for the Woodland Trust. Donna knew one of the men in the group as she had happened be on holiday in the same place as he was a few years ago. we continued to the end of the path then turned right onto St Mary’s Drive.
There was a path which we had to look out for which went between the houses to a gate and onto the golf course. There people playing golf so we had to be careful and look out for the crossing of paths an look out for the yellow waymark. We walked by a pond trying to make sure we stayed on the waymarked path. Almost immediately, we turned right into Rookery Wood and dropped downhill using the steps to a footbridge.We followed the path to the far side of the wood, it was a bit muddy in places, especialy just at the place where we were to leave the wood.
We followed the path diagonally across the field, there were small plants growing in the field but in some places where there had been puddles nothing was growing. Then we followed the path through the woods back to Vale Royal Drive, and at the gate turned right to continue to cross the two bridges over Vale Royal Locks. Turning left on the far bank and, beyond the locks. As we walked along the river the rain started again, so we did get a bit wet. We passed under the railway viaduct again and continued along the riverside path for half a mile back to Blue Bridge. Here we took the path up to the road and walked over the Blue Bridge back to the car.
We travelled along the A556 to Blakemere and sat in the car and had our sandwiches. We had a wander around looking at the antiques. Then had tea and coffee, and Donna had a scone, and Tracey was disappointed that they had run out of the cake she wanted.
