Rain was forecast. Again. Just Paul S and I braved the predicted Armageddon. It hit whilst we were travelling along the M56 motorway. By the time we reached the Sandstone Trail car park in Simon's Lane the weather had cleared and we were threatened with sunshine. There were then clear views from Woodhouse Hill to the Welsh hills, Helsby (above) and the lumps and spires of Liverpool.
We followed the Sandstone Trail's signposted route over undulating, slithery ground, coming across this serene pond, occupied by moorhens.
We continued along this excellent trail as far as Simmond's Hill. This section of the trail struggles to hug the escarpment, but does pass through pleasant woodland.
Leaving the Sandstone Trail, we headed towards Manley Old Hall, past newly seeded fields.
A large aircraft appeared overhead. Paul reckoned that it was coming to collect aircraft wings destined for plane assembly on the continent.
A 'permissive path' around Manley Old Hall preserved the inmates' privacy, but we'd have been better to follow the normal signed path, thereby avoiding some of the slurry.
A field path was wisely taken to avoid a slurried track leading north from the farm, then the section to the west of Crabtree Farm was along a path that hadn't been walked for a while. It goes through the centre of the next picture, to a decomposing footbridge under the trees.
We muscled our way through nettles and brambles to a better surface at SJ 503 732, where we enjoyed a tea break and met an elderly lady coming in the other direction. She was doing a recce for a walk on Sunday. Good luck on battling your way through that jungle, madam!
After turning left at the next minor road, we joined the Longster Trail, which we accidentally deserted due to the attractions of the field path shown below.
Those with a nervous disposition should be discouraged from following our 'field' route to Alderhall. It comes with warnings of deep holes on steep ground filled by head high nettles, brambles and Balsam. We survived, though others may prefer to take the lane.
We'd been on the North Cheshire Way trail for a while. It was now on easy ground beneath the arboretum in Foxhill Wood. The path headed north, slowly rising and circling above Frodsham, eventually joining the Sandstone Trail path from its starting point in Frodsham.
The wet weather has encouraged the fungi. This one may be edible, but as it resembles (or actually is) Sulphur Tuft, we won't be trying it. Previously classed as 'inedible', it is now officially 'poisonous'.
The path emerges at a war memorial that enjoys a fine view towards Liverpool, with clear views of the bridges over the Mersey in Runcorn, and many other landmarks, including Billinge Hill and Winter Hill.
A short stroll from the memorial, past a large hotel by a golf club, saw us back at Paul's car after a 13.7km walk, with over 300 metres ascent, taking us three and a half hours. Here's the route.
As usual, clicking on the images will produce a better resolution version and access to a slideshow, although given my new method of loading the pictures, they may not be as blurry as over the past few months since Open Live Writer failed to work.
Next Friday it's The Old Man of Coniston, leaving Timperley at 7.30 if you would like a lift, and leaving the Walna Scar Road car park at 10.30 or earlier, returning to Manchester by early evening. It would be helpful if you could let us know if you are coming.
4 comments:
I remember the view from that memorial forcibly bringing home the effect of man's impact on the environment, but the Sandstone Trail is a good walk albeit I had horrible weather.
I think the impact of the memorial is rather less than the impact of the events of which it is in memory. You could argue that the greater the impact of the memorial, the less chance of similar conflicts in the future?
That's fair comment about the memorial and its associations. I was referring to the industrial sprawl, especially the chemical works complexes at Widnes.
Yes Conrad, you have to turn towards Wales for a less cluttered view...
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