Sue and Martin in Mallorca 2019

Sue and Martin in Mallorca 2019
On the Archduke's Path in Mallorca

Wednesday, 25 March 2009

Tuesday 24 March 2009 - A Stroll around Lymm

With rain forecast later, I enjoyed a short 2 hour stroll from Lymm Dam, just a 15 minute drive from home.

Parking at 10.15 in Crouchley Lane I set off up the main road, away from the Dam, turned left into Grammar School Road, and when St Peter's Church came into view I headed down the path towards its distinctive spire.  This is Oughtrington, on the eastern edge of Lymm, and whilst it is less than 50 metres above sea level it does lie above the surrounding countryside and affords fine (if not very photogenic) views across to Winter Hill, the skyscrapers of Manchester, and the hills of the Dark Peak behind the mass of suburbia.

2402church

Beyond the church, the path continues in an easterly direction through fields, with even more expansive views towards the hills of the Peak District, with aircraft coming in to land at Ringway in the foreground.

Carrion crows cawed in freshly ploughed fields, and two youths tried to control a bunch of unruly dogs - maybe they were dog walkers, enterprising an income rather than walking the streets.  At least the dogs were 'waggy' rather than intimidating...

Fluttering Peewits accompanied me as the path drifted beside field boundaries to eventually turn right onto Warrington Lane, which runs beside the Bridgewater Canal.  (More information here.)

This short route turns first left down Spring Lane, to cross the canal.  The sign is just about visible, ironically soon to be concealed by the shoots of spring.

2403sign

There is an extensive boatyard (Lymm Cruising Club) on the left of the canal, and a firm towpath on the right.  This doubles up as a fast cycle track when there's a strong westerly wind like yesterday's.

2404canal

There's a convenient bench on the towpath by Agden Bridge.

Time for a welcome cup of tea.

Walking along the towpath back towards Lymm, in the face of a fresh breeze, I first encountered a pair of Greylag Geese.

2405geese

Then Mr and Mrs Mute Swan.

2406swans

The grass beside the towpath is full of Butterbur (Petasites hybridus), as well as daisies and dandelions just now.

2407butterbur

I passed a small car park at Spud Wood Woodland Trust (this would be a better place to park, in future).  A sign indicated that this was the start of a 22 mile trail to Runcorn Hill - the Mersey Valley Timberland Trail.  I'd never heard of it!  Full details are here - probably a nice walk - I may report on it sometime soon!

2408sign

The hawthorn is coming into leaf, and the blackthorn is in flower. Cherry blossom also brightened the day.

2409cherry

As did Forsythia.

2410forsythia

Moorhens and mallard seem to infest the canal as it draws into Lymm.  This is where this route heads into the village.

2411lymm

A short climb to cross the main road at Lymm Dam heralds a short final stroll around the small lake.  The woodland is still bare of leaves.

2412woods

The lack of foliage leaves little cover for the birds that live here, not that the cormorants would have hidden in the wood.  This one's mate hid under the water...

2413cormorant

It was full of life, with coots, mallard, moorhens, wood pigeons, wrens, long-tailed tits, great tits, blue tits, blackbirds, robins, magpies and great crested grebes all busily ignoring me as I strolled back to the car.

Here's the 9 km route, with about 70 metres ascent - taking about two hours at a steady pace.

2401route

6 comments:

Ron Bloomquist said...

Very nice.

Very interesting.

Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Great photo of the cormorant! And this after the 'Marsh Harrier' - is this becoming a birders blog?

Anonymous said...

And the ptarmigan! (Just been rereading now that photos have been added.)

Phreerunner said...

Thanks Ron, and Mark.
No, this isn't a birder's blog, Wigger's World is doing quite well at that at present, though.
I'm just snapping birds when I get the chance as I whizz past. You may notice more flower pictures as spring progresses. Like you, I just pause briefly to take snaps, and I enjoy writing up the trips.
Did I confuse a marsh harrier with a buzzard - if so, sorry about that!

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for the tour or Lymm, starting at St. Peter's Church. I'm over in the US, and doing on-line research about my family back over there in the 1840s-1880s, and St. Peter's/Lymm was their family church. I can't be there to take a hike in the area, so all your photos and commentary was a real delight ! G. Keating, Massachusetts, USA.

MartinB said...

It's a pleasure, GK. Lymm is very close to Timperley. I visit frequently on a circular bike ride that I use to get a bit of exercise, so if you would like me to rummage around for anything in St Peter's churchyard, do let me know.
Martin (aka Phreerunner)