Chelford and Lapwing Hall Lake nature reserve

Saturday 7 November 5.5 miles

Donna, Tracey, Jane and Hilary

It was hard to know what the temperature was going to be as we woke to fog. We were lucky as the sun came out making a beautiful autumn day. 

We parked near the end Lapwing Lane where there were a couple of horse trucks.

There was sunshine by the time we parked the car.

We took the gate opposite Woodside Cottage. Follow the path with views to the left over the former Acre Nook Sand Quarry.

Over the fields were views to the Lovell Telescope at Jodrell Bank. 

followed the bridleway

walked along road for three-quarters of a mile. Lots of groups of cyclists passed us as well as a few cars.

We looked for Whisterfield Cottage, and turned left through a kissing gate.  

As we began to follow a path between fences a dog passed us, soon afterwards its owner caught up and went ahead of us. At one point we passed a large group of young cows, some were interested and came over to us.

lunch in sunshine sitting by the path on longer tufts of grass. There were beads of water in the grass but as we had mats to sit on we didn't get wet.

we were able to take a path running alongside the road, separated from it only by the hedge  

we took the bridleway on the left 

We turned right through a gate onto a permissive path going around the Lapwing Hall Lake nature reserve. 

We had intermittent views over the water through the fenced off area, further around the lake there was a gap where we did see ducks, a swan and a heron. The walk in the Cheshire Life magazine was called 'In Search of the Smew' - as we were at the wrong time of the year we didn't see any smew.

 We went through a kissing gate onto Lapwing Lane and back to the car.

 went to Goostrey Home and Leisure tea room  - 3 cream teas and 1 posh hot chocolate

Weston Park

Saturday 3 October

Jane, Hilary and Donna

The Rose Paterson Art Gallery, Weston Park.

The Association of Guilds of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers organises a National Exhibition every two years to showcase the skills and creativity of members of guilds across the UK. The theme for this year’s National Exhibition is ‘A Festival of Flora and Fauna’. Exhibits included bunting and specially selected items.

It wasn't clear from the website if the garden would be open plus we would have to pay to get in, but we managed to visit the garden as one of the ladies helping at the exhibition got us in for free! 

Middlewich Canal

Saturday 5 September 5 and 6 miles

Hilary and Jane

We started at Glastonbury Drive and went down Nantwich Road to the Middlewich Branch of the Shropshire Union Canal. We followed the canal path to bridge 25.

On crossing the bridge we went along a track and then across some fields onto the Nantwich Road. We crossed the road and made our way to School Lane, following the lane to the corner where we then joined the path to Hopley House. We had a look around and returned along the path to School Lane crossing to the path that leads to Sutton Lane.

We stopped to have lunch by the bridge over the River Wheelock as there was a bit of grass by a gate that we could sit on. Then we continued up Sutton Lane where split up to go home.

 

 

 

River Dane and Congleton Park

Wednesday 12 August 5.5 miles

Tracey, Jane, Donna and Hilary

Very warm weather! The walk suggested it could be muddy in places but there was no chance because of the dry weather.

The walk started at the Wagon and Horses in Eaton. We went through the garden and out of the gate at the back. We crossed roads, walked fields, crossed small bridges, followed streams and through gates until we came to the Congleton bypass. We followed the track to the underpass until we came to another underpass coming to Moss Lane passing newer houses. 

Havannah Lane lead down to the River Dane and Congleton Hydro. From the bridge we could see the weir which is grade 11 listed. As there was no path across the bridge we were in the road so of course a delivery lorry came through just then, so we had to quickly move across the bridge, we went back again to look at the weir and the lorry returned to cross the bridge as we were once again in the middle!

We followed the Dane through some playing fields, along the road and passed industrial units reaching the park. We decided to have lunch in the park (before 12!!) sitting on a bench by the bowling green. Sitting on some benches in the shade was pleasant.

There were some colourful flowers in the formal gardens and quite a few people enjoying the warm weather in the park. We crossed the Pavilion bridge over the Dane an followed the riverside path to the main road, going up Rood Hill to the traffic lights, crossed over the road to go into the woods behind the houses. We had glimpses of Westlow Mere on the left hand side. 

We came to Giantswood Lane following the road, there were a group of men putting tiles on a roof on one of the houses. Then we took the bridge over the bypass and passed a house being built. Crossing fields and streams and the standing stones we passed Brick House Farm going on paths along the drive to reach the lane. 

We followed the lane for a while and came back to School Lane, and along the path to the pub.

We went to The Old Barn Cafe, Marton and had an icecream each - 2 peaches and cream, 1 honeycomb and 1 raspberry ripple.

 

Buxton

Wednesday 1 July to Friday 3 July

Jane, Tracey, Donna and Hilary 

Wednesday - Town Walk 

We started at the Buxton Visitor Centre (The Pump Room), but couldn't find a walk. Looking on my phone I found the Buxton Heritage walk, starting at the Crescent, so we followed the walk. 

Thursday - Chee Valley walk + Les Liaisons Dangereuses 

Whilst we were so close it seemed a good idea to walk the Chee Dale stepping stones on the River Wye, hidden away just 3 miles from Buxton. The Chee Dale stepping stones are unusual in that they run along the side of the river rather than crossing it, and are often overhung by the cliffs above. 

In the evening we went to watch Les Liaisons Dangereuses at the Pavilion Arts Centre. It was a National Theatre Live production with Lesley Manville and Aidan Turner.

Friday - Buxton Well Dressing + Solomon's Temple 

As we had seen the Well Dressing at the Market Place we decided to have a look at the other wells. Such a lot of work goes into them! We had some lunch in town and then parked up the hill, then walked up to Solomon’s Temple Where there was a good view from the top.

 

Tiverton

Saturday 13 June 6 miles

Jane and Hilary 

The forecast earlier in the week was for sunny and warmer weather but it did not materialise. The day started cloudy and dull, seeming like it might rain. We put on a fleeces and jackets to start the walk. The sunny weather came later but the wind was still cool. We were taking layers off and putting them on again!

Parked in the car park behind The Rising Sun. 

Lots of the paths were overgrown particularly with brambles, some with nettles, so we had to push through them.

Birds - lapwings, swifts, a woodpecker and a wagtail.

There were quite a few fields growing corn, it was fairly easy to find our way through at the moment but once the plants are tall it might be difficult to see the path.

Highland cows in one field, one looked at us as we got nearer and then went back to munching. 

Passed a tent under a tree as we walked along the tow path towards the lock. I wondered if someone homeless was living there. We had our lunch sitting by the Beeston Cast Iron Lock on the Shropshire Union Canal. On our way back to the main road a young lad with a dog was packing up the tent and by the time we got back to the bridge he had packed up his rucksack and was on his way.

Walked through Tiverton 

On Birch Heath Road we met an older lady doing some gardening

A field with cows in it with them all sitting down so we skirted around the majority of them 

Ginger and Pickles for tea and carrot cake and a hot chocolate with all the trimmings.

Winterley Pool

Saturday 16 May 5.5 miles

Donna, Tracey and Hilary