Sue and Martin in Mallorca 2019

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

Friday 1 January 2021

Friday 1 January 2021 - Around Appleton



For our regular NYD walk, Sue and I chose to stay close to home, like we are supposed to under Lockdown, and take a scenic stroll around Appleton. I did this walk on 31 May 2019, on which I reported here, so I won't repeat all the historical elements.

This time the route was a bit different due to a navigation error, but never mind, it was still only 15 km or so, and we were back at home for lunch on the rather dull day.

The top picture shows the Bridgewater Canal near the start of the walk from outside the London Bridge pub. The swans were attentive - they must be used to being fed.

Shortly after leaving the canal we passed what I take to be a millennium sculpture or similar. The snow from earlier in the week is well frozen in places, so the paths today were icy, if not muddy in the more sheltered parts.


We made our way uneventfully through the Dingle and Lumb Valley.





Catkins were out, as were some daffodils. "Happy New Year!"


Then we took a wrong turn and finished up next to the A49 main road, unusually quiet today. There were some nice houses en route, this one with impressive carved owls.


We paused for coffee and fudge at the double-faced sculpture of Janus in Pewterspear, before continuing along the course of the Roman Road to Stretton. There are columns and guards.



Beyond Hatton Lane, muddy paths led back to the start, past fields and  through woodland - very pleasant in trainers in the summer, but boots were needed today.



So that's just a brief pictorial reminder of our first outing of 2021. We hope there will be many more, and that at some point we will be allowed to stray a bit further from home ("Stay at Home" is the current mantra) and be allowed to walk in groups of more than two people. 

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