Get together

Saturday 17 December 2022

Went to Hilary and Ian's house for aperitifs.

The Kinderton Christmas Meal and Disco.

Chris won some wine for our table!

Two Canals

Saturday 10 November 2022 5.5 miles

Jane, Donna + Hilary

We were so lucky with the weather as it had been so wet all week. I tried to choose a walk that I hoped would have less muddy paths - although that is difficult after the rain we have had all week. I joined two Lymm walks together so that the walk would be long enough.

We parked up just off Lymmhay Lane, Having put on our coats and boots we took the path across the golfcourse. There weren't any golfers around just one of the ground staff blowing leaves off one of the greens.

We crossed the road for the clubhouse and went along the Whitbarrow Road and found the gap between the houses and went down a path with the beech hedge above our heads and came to the fishing pools. We followed the path through the woods and came to a lane.

There was a very large puddle right across the whole lane, so we thought it was a good idea to take the right hand path instead of trying to get around the puddle, but the path came to a deadend and there wasn't a linking path to the one we wanted. We wondered if we could cross the fields, but there were fences everywhere plus we didn't know how wet the fields would be. So we returned to the puddle, one person going along the puddle edge holding the brambles to keep balance and the other two going down the middle of the track where the water was shallower!

We got to the path alongside the Manchester Ship Canal. As the path was a bit higher than the fields it was easy to walk along and it wasn't particularly muddy. We walked under the Thelwall Viaduct which carries the motorway over the Manchester Ship Canal. There was graffiti on the bridge legs on the opposite side of the canal but it was hard to read. We met a few dog walkers, one lady had such a strong smell of perfume it wafted over us.

As we reached the buildings of Thelwall we saw the sign for the Penny Ferry. So we went to have a look, there was a boat moored at the site and decided to have a ride on the boat. Normally the ferry just takes you across the ship canal but the man on board - Martin - took us down the canal towards theThelwall Viaduct so that we had a little trip!

We went down Bell Lane and crossed the main road, joining the Bridgewater Canal by going up some steps. We were hoping to find a bench on the canal so we ended up having our lLunch sitting in the sunshine by the path of the canal. As we were sitting down it was easy for dogs to come sniffing around, which a couple of dos did!

There was a cafe/shop called the Wild Deli sign by the canal so we decided to go and have a  look at it, but there were only a few seats outside and in the shade, so we contined our walk back up the road and onto the Trans-Pennine Trail.

The last part of the path along the Trans-Pennine Trail was closed off so we had to find a way around. The diversion pointed up the road but I thought we could go back through the golf course. When you are returning the way you came things look different, so the other said they didn't remember any of it. There were now golfers on the course so we had to be careful.

We went to High Legh Garden Centre for tea, coffee, hot chocolate. millionaire shortbread and flapjack. It was very busy and the cafe was very slow but there were seats.

Goostrey

Saturday 22 October

Carol, Hilary, Donna and Tracey

A lovely day. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Warmingham and Sandbach Flashes

Saturday 24 September 6 miles

Hilary, Donna and Tracey

Walk - https://www.greatbritishlife.co.uk/things-to-do/walks/cheshire-walk-warmingham-sandbach-flashes-8514934

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unfortunately we saw three dead Canada geese in different places and reported it to Defra.

We went to Hopley House for a drink ( but no cake!)

Shropshire Union Canal from Barbridge

Saturday 27 August 2022 9 miles

Donna, Tracey, Jane and Hilary

A lovely day with the sun shining.

We parked at Barbridge, on the Old Chester Road.

We joined the Shropshire Union Main Line by going over the bridge and onto the towpath. It was a short walk to the turning onto the Middlewich Branch of the Shrophire Union Canal. It was very warm in the sunshine.

Along the canal we passed under the Winsford Road by the Venetian Marina and a train passed on the railway line as we walked towards it. We continued along the canal to the next bridge. As we walked along this stretch of canal a few spots of rain came down.

Up the steps and over two stiles we crossed the bridge leaving the canal behind and following the path south. We crossed over the railway line, when we came to the junction we crossed straight over then turned right when we came to Station Road. We were about to pass St Oswald's Church, Worleston, but noticed that there was a bench outside so we decided that was the best place to sit and have our lunch. It was after 12 o'clock!

We had a wander around the church as Hilary thought there might be an owl box there, but we couldn't see one, especially with all the leaves are still on the trees. As we were just about to leave a gentleman arrived in his car and asked if we wanted to see inside the church. It is beautiful inside with the pale stone setting off the darker wood in the roof. We had a chat by the door, there are not enough people who attend the services or volunteer to look after the church. That creates problems, the people in the village want a church, but don't help.

A short way along Church Lane we came to the end of the houses and found the path across the fields, There were some new wooden bridges crossing the stream. We got a bit lost around a pool where a man was fishing. It wasn't clear which way to go, but eventually we realised that we had gone too fat right on the path to the pond rather than bearing right towards the gate. Then we walked across the field to a gate and onto Poole Old Hall Lane. We continued until we turned left onto Wettenhall Lane. As we walked down the road I could see a stone bridge in the distance and hoped that was the canal bridge, it wasn't.

Part way down the lane we turned right onto Poole Hill Lane, there were some trees casting some shade, it was still warm and the shade under the trees gave some shelter and a bit of a breeze. We followed the lane until we came to the canal, the car park with boats in it looked as though we could get to the canal from there, but we couldn't get through the gate. So we walked around and went up the bank and onto the towpath of the Shropshire Union Canal.

We follwed the Shropshire Union back to Barbridge and the car. It was a relief to take off our boots as out feet were hot. 

There was a debate as to where we should go for tea and cake but as some of the local places closed at 4pm we weren't going to have time to order. As we were passing Snugburys Ice Cream Farm we turned in there. We were lucky that the queue wasn't too long. We had 2 x Elderberry and Rhubarb, 1 Lemon Cheesecake, and 1 Lavender and honey. We managed to find a place in the shade and sat on the grass enjoying our icecreams.

Lymm and the Dam

Saturday 30 July 2022 5.5 miles

Jane + Tracey

It was again hard to know how many layers to put on, the weather was a bit warmer but sometimes the wind could be chilly. We parked in Burford Lane, even though both of us had brought our fleeces we decided to take a chance and leave them in the car. There was always a chance of rain so raincoats would be better.

It was interesting to walk along the back lanes, away from the traffic and yet you were in the town. Little pathways and quiet roads made for an interesting walk, having to work out which path to take in places.

We crossed the main road and had to find our way onto the path to go around Lymm Dam. I had thought we would be directly alongside the lake but we didn't all the way around. We went around the end of the dam on the path, but then I noticed that the walk suggested we walked to the Wishing Bridge, we were able to walk to it from the opposite side. It was pretty through the trees and the ducks were swimming about near the bridge.

As we walked away from the dam we crossed over the zebra crossing and went down some steep steps, a family with a pushchair and another child were trying to come up. We continued along the Dingle to the town. Through Lymm the road was busy, we walked up to Lymm Cross and then over the canal bridge and round onto the canal towpath.

We looked at the houses along the canal, but soon left Lymm and were out into the countryside.

I had thought we might find somewhere to sit for our lunch along the canal but there were no seats. Fortunately Tracey noticed a bench off the path in Spud Wood. 

It didn't take long to get back to the car across a few fields and up the road.

We were passing High Legh Garden Centre on our way home so we stopped there for tea and cake.

 

 

Wedding

Saturday 23 July 2022

Cranage Hall

A lovely evening, with food, dancing and singing.

Middlewich to Aqueduct Marina

Saturday 2 July 7 miles

Jane + Hilary

We met where the Nantwich Road meets the canal. Then we walked from Middlewich along the canal to the Aqueduct Marina. 

 

 

 

The canal sits high in the landscape when passing near Chuch Minshull and you can look at the lovely view over the River Weaver.

We came across a man painting the rusty bits on his boat. We got chatting and his engine wasn't working properly and they had been limping along, so they were waiting to get some help. The boat was called Coddiwompler so we asked about that, it means to travel in a purposeful manner towards a vague destination.

 

At the Aqueduct Marina we had a cup of tea and shared a granola bar. John picked us up.

Gawsworth Hall

Saturday 25 June

Birthday Get Together.

There was a thunder storm and rain to keep us entertained before the show began. 

Fortunately we had a gazebo to sit under.

Sitting in the garden by the lake having our picnics and a bit of bubbly. 

Good music, good singing, good band and dancing.  ELO Again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Whitegate Way, Petty Pool Woods and Sandiway Sandpit

Saturday 4 June 2022 6 miles

Tracey, Jane + Donna

It was a good job Tracey had done this walk before because the instructions weren't super clear. She was going to do the walk previously but had left it as some parts are very muddy after rainy weather, but the dry spell meant she decided to give it a go.

The walk started at Whitegate Station car park and we put on our jackets as it was cool under the trees. We went left under the bridge and walked along the Whitegate Way for a while and then look out for an opening on the right. 

We crossed a field and came to Dalefords Lane, we only joined that for a short way and then went off into Petty Pool Woods. It was really quiet through the woods. We joined Cockpit Lane and passed a very modern building and wondered what it was, and we couldn't see a sign anywhere. It was The Joshua Tree, a charity which supports families with childhood cancer.

There was a left turn across the fields, we crossed a lane and then walked to Sandiway sandpit, as the sun was shining we sat down, but it was a bit too early for lunch. There were plenty of dog walkers in that area and some dogs came for a nosy, which I wasn't keen on, as we were sitting at dog level. The owners of one dog threw a frisbee down the hill and the dog raced after to catch it, and brought it back up the hill to be thrown again - a good workout for the dog!

We walked down to the bottom of the sandpit and followed the path to Kennel Lane, and went all the way down, turned left on to Overdale Lane. We went passed a farm and decided we had better have our lunch, there was a piece of grass by a metal locked gate so we sat there. A vehicle did pass us and opened the gate to go through. 

Continuing the walk we took a right turn by the lake. Having reached The Whitegate Way again we made our way back to the station.

We were lucky to have such lovely weather, it was a lovely walk through lots of woods and only very quiet lanes to walk along. It was muddy in places as Tracey had warned but we could get around them easily.

We all had tea and coffee and walnut cake at the Station House Cafe. We were able to sit outside in the sunshine.

 

Get together

Tuesday 24 May 2022

Wedding Anniversay

Pecks Restaurant - Dinner at Eight 

We had a lovely meal with lots of choice.

 

The River Weaver and the Trent and Mersey Canal

Saturday 30 April 4.5 miles

Donna, Jane + Hilary

The weather was forecast to be ok in the morning, but there had been a cool wind the day before so it was hard to decide how many layers to wear.

We parked on the roadside just off the A49 by a building that was being worked on and Hilary said it had been a pub at one time. We started off with our fleeces and coats on. Donna had done this walk before with her daughter.

We passed the Leigh Arms and we went down to the river by the Acton Swing Bridge turning left to follow the River Weaver. The path goes past the Grange rowing club buildings.

We looked across the river at the Caravan Park it was busy with a few tourers as well as the statics. There are also lots of cottages, just below Sandy Lane. I wonder how busy and noisy the road is. They have a nice outlook over the river and the fields.

The fields looked lovely in the sunshine. There was a house up on the hill and I thought it might have some good views. We crossed the foot bridge where the river semms to split in two.

The Saltersford Locks are huge, you can imagine the river busy with very large boats carrying salt down to the River Mersey and bringing coal to the salt works to evaporate the brine.

The Lockkeepers Cottages looked pretty and the middle terraced one was for sale, it looked like a typical 2 up 2 down house. We tried to guess the price from what we could see and thought it might be about £250,000 - £300,000, but we were no where near as it is on the market for £375,000.

We walked up the hill away from the river to the canal. At the top of the hill we passed a smartly dressed couple obviously not out walking and we thought they might be going to see the house.

We walked further along the canal and came to the Saltersford Tunnel. You can't walk through the tunnel, but I could hear a boat chugging away and eventually I saw the boat emerging. In the past, the only way to move the boat through the tunnel was to 'walk' the narrow boats along the by using your legs and feet whilst lying on the boats roof.

The path then went up to be level with the top of the tunnel with plenty of trees along it. We managed to get a view through a gap in the trees down the valley. 

Then I realised that the white house I had seen from below, by the river, was probably the house at the end of the tunnel,

There was a bench at the end of the tunnel so we had our lunch at 11.45am - too early!! As we sat eating our lunch the pink blossom was falling off the tree onto the canal water and it looked very pretty.

We continued walking along the canal it was lovely with the trees, a couple of bridges and the blue sky. We passed some cows in the field on the other side of the canal, most of them were lying down, there was  just one looking through the trees at us.

Gradually we began to notice the noise of the road so we knew we were nearly at the car. Rather than going down the main road we tucked down a pathway back to where we had parked.

It was lovely to get out in the sunshine.

We went to The Green Kitchen off Bartington Hall Lane, and had tea and cake (carrot and lemon cake)  and a hot chocolate.

 

 

Barton, Coddington, Clutton and Stretton

Saturday 9 April 5 miles

Carol, Donna, Jane and Hilary.

We were to meet Carol in Barton, but she had written Barnton on the WhatsApp so we thought we were going to Northwich not very far away. Fortunately we realised on the morning of the walk that Barnton was in the wrong direction and also that we had therefore not allowed enough time to get to Barton by 10am. 

We did eventually arrive and set off on a lovely walk in the Cheshire countryside provided by Cheshire Life. It turned out to be a pleasant sunny walk.

We walked on the signed path down the side of the pub and passed the conservatory ready for a wedding. We crossed the A534 and went into Barton Village, there were some houses that had painted flowers on them and we really liked them.

At times it was hard to know exactly where the path was and debated if we should walk through the farm yard  but that was the only way through. We came out on the road then walked passed the pond on Mill Lane and crossed the fields to Coddington. 

We came to Clutton where we crossed the road.

We walked up hill and went under a tree that had fallen across the path, there was plenty of room to get underneath, it didn't look too sturdy and we wondered when it would fall further. We passed the old rock face with a tree growing around it. Soon we came to some pines where someone was cutting some down and had left slices of tree trunk that were just right for us to sit on and have our lunch.

At Carden Park we walked across parts of the golf course there didn't seem to be anyone around fortunately. We went passed the clubhouse and the vineyard and then took the road to Carden Lodge. Carol pointed out the newish Spa Garden and Thermal Experience.

We followed the road to Stretton Mill. The gentleman at the mill had wandered away but when he saw us looking in the open door I think he thought he was going to have some customers, and then soon lost interest when he realised he wasn't.

We were looking forward to seeing inside the Cock O'Barton pub when we returned but there was a wedding going on so we couldn't go in. We looked at our phones and saw there was a Lakeside Cafe not too far away. It turned out to be a Caravan Park cafe and we sat inside as the wind was blowing cold even in the sunshine, We had some tea and hot chocolate. Carol had a scone and I had a Wispa brownie that was very sweet.

Year Sixteen Summary

Walk 1: March 2021 x

Walk 2: April 2021 Zoom meeting to plan walks

Walk 3: May 2021 x

Walk 4: June 26 2021 Sandiway to Acton Bridge 6 miles Jane, Tracey, Donna, Hilary and Carol

Walk 5: July 2021 x

Walk 6: Aug 22 2021 Beeston 6miles Hilary, Donna, Tracey and Jane

Walk 7: Sept 24 2021 Winterley 5.5miles Jane, Tracey and Hilary

Walk 8: Oct 16 2021 Lower Withington 6miles Donna, Jane and Hilary

Walk 9: Nov 13 2021 Goostrey about 5 miles Carol, Donna and Hilary

Walk 10: Jan 15 2022 walk from Carol’s house + planning Carol, Jane and Hilary

Walk 11: Feb 12 2022 Oulton Park 7 miles Tracey, Jane, Donna and Hilary

 

Oulton Park

Saturday 12 February 2022 7 miles

Tracey, Jane, Donna + Hilary 

A chilly day so you certainly needed those extra layers!

Started the walk at Little Budworth car park. As soon as we parked we could hear the noise of Oulton park, it was hard to tell if the noise was from bikes and/or cars. We turned left out of the car park towards the Park Road we crossed it and were able to see through the gate. It was cars that were on the curcuit, it was a Car Trackday which is an opportunity to take your own car onto the track. We could see lots of different cars racing around the track.

We walked through Little Budworth onto Mill Lane, then along by Budworth Pool and across the fields. We walked along some roads until we came to Little Budworth Common. We negotiated the well rutted 'road' to the edge of the wood, then followed the track until we got to Park Road. We continued on the road passed the millpond and upto the next road junction.

Turning left at the junction we were soon crossing fields again, and came to the farm yard. Joined the road and when we came to the end of the road there was a piece of grass so we had our lunch by the road side. We crossed the field from Dogmore Lane to Kings Lane.

We followed the broken down wall and fence boundary of Oulton Park where we could once again see the cars racing around the track. There were a lot of stiles along this stretch. We followed the path around the woods and onto a track, making our way back towards Little Budworth and the main road.

As we walked back to the car it started to rain more heavily.

Tarporley Garden Centre was our port of call for tea, cake (coconut + raspberry slice, almond slice and a scone) and hot chocolate.

 

 

 

A walk in the countryside + planning

Saturday 15 January

Carol. Jane + Hilary