Frodsham Frolics 26th Nov 2021

This was one of Martin’s Friday walks, around 10km of easy walking, taking in part of the sandstone edges between Frodsham & Helsby Hill.

I nudged Judith who didn’t need much of an excuse to book the day off work, and at the appointed hour the party of Martin, Graeme, Judith and me trundled off from the almost hidden car park by Beacon Hill, above Frodsham.

After a short stretch of tarmac we were soon on a proper footpath, part of the Delamere Way. 

We’d only been going for 20 minutes when we were treated to a rainbow to the north of us, over Liverpool.

We headed by Snidley Moor Wood, cared for by the Woodland Trust, but soon found our way blocked by what initially appeared to be fallen tree branches. I’m not so sure. Whatever, the road was certainly blocked to traffic.

A lovely scone / coffee / fudge brownie (words chosed carefully here) sit down at a very conveniently situated picnic table. Where it rained. And I needed to pull my wet-legs on. And the un-jammable zip jammed. Again. 

No photos of the feast, I was too busy eating.

Sometimes it’s just easier to put up with the wet.

Then came Helsby Hill:

On top of Helsby Hill

Looking west: Weather

I’ve not been up Helsby Hill for over a year, when I ran (Ho-ho!) all around the Sandstone Edges with Tally-Ho! at the beginning of the much shortened 2020 / 21 season.

We had views over the estuary to Liverpool, but not too much beyond, rain and murk saw to that.

Downhill then uphill to cross Tarvin Road, then uphill to join a bit of the North Cheshire Way.

Being good boys and girl - using the stile

A diversion followed when we were marched downhill to Netherton, just because we could – then, like the Grand Old Duke of York (or maybe not) we were marched back up again retracing our steps, to rejoin the path towards Beacon Hill and the car park.

It was a pleasant little wander in good company, thanks to Martin for organising, leading, and supplying the fudge brownies. I really should go on more of Martin’s walks.

What REALLY happened on the walk can be read here, you don’t want to believe anything I said.

It didn’t end there, Judith and I drove down to Frodsham and ventured into the very excellent Helter-Skelter where we didn’t have very much beer at all – on account of us both driving. We did, however, share a whole packet of crisps between us. Decadent eh?

Then we both went home and had cauliflower cheese for tea. Separately.

Next time Judith and I meet in Frodsham we’re going to travel by train, the Helter-Skelter is too much of a good pub to just have a  swift half each. And a packet of crisps between two.

Where we went:

Just under 7 miles with around 1000’ ascent….which I find hard to believe.

The walk was chosen by Martin, obv, and was taken from this book, a copy of which Martin has kindly given me:

Best Pub Walks in Cheshire, by Jen Darling. ISBN 978-1-902512-32-7

Having a bit more than a passing interest in pubs it's a book that I'll be putting to good use!

 

A bit of the Bollin Valley Way 1st Aug 2021

A short walk was called for by the After Eights Walkers. The Bollin Valley Way was only down the road from JJ Towers, so at 8.30am I met up with Kay to walk a small section of the route. Kay, an enthusiastic member of the After Eights.

We parked up just outside Styal, which rather conveniently sits on the River Bollin.

It was raining, not heavily, but enough to need a waterproof jacket.

Trundling eastwards, through The Carrs (a rather nice public park), we passed the local Junior Park Run being set up – it’s a popular one.

 L > R: Amy, the 42kg Wilma (who was Wendy), Kay

Kay met a dog, she likes dogs. A lot. This is Wilma, a rescue dog, formerly known as Wendy. Like so many labradors, she was very playful, energetic, and extremely sociable. And this particular labrador, at 42kg, was rather overweight – a legacy of her previous owner. Amy, her new owner who lived very locally, had got to grips with the situation and was getting Wilma out for two long walks each day. Although looking at Wilma’s energy levels I’m not too sure who was taking who for a walk!

Our route was easy to follow, there were plenty of Bollin Valley Way signs to follow – getting lost really wasn’t an option.

By now the rain had stopped, the sun was showing itself, and it was warming up. Waterproofs were put away.

We left the River Bollin for a short while, cutting through the grounds of the rather posh Mottram Hall Hotel (on public footpaths), battled though a Triffid infested path, before rejoining the river to return to our cars.

Mancunian lovers of proper beer may recognise the name above the arch

 

We covered around 8½ miles of very pleasant flatness, and were back at our cars around 3 hours after setting off. Nice.

I’ll repeat the route sometime soon (avoiding the Triffids), but as a run rather than a walk.

Thanks to Kay for joining me – maybe more After Eights will join us next time.

The route can be found here…..as long as Viewranger still works.     

Shutlingsloe…not 16th May 2021

…well not for everyone

Another little After Eights walk, led by Suzanne and one of her doggies.

The day was bright and clear, but with a promise of showers later in the day.

Our small group met up at Clough House car park, Wildboarclough, ready to leave at 9.30am.

I was pleasantly surprised to see Bridget at the car park, she was with a different walking group but we managed a quick chat before we went our separate ways.

 

We set off north, on tarmac, then to follow Clough Brook and around to Bottom-of-the –Oven.

Here disaster struck: one of the walkers, who professed that this was her first walk, had a little dog with her. We entered a field of sheep and lambs….the dog wasn’t on a lead – you can guess the rest.

I’d had surgery a few days before and was trying to take it easy, I dropped my pack and ran as fast as I could after the errant dog – who was only following her instincts.

The dog, “she’s never done that before”, was chasing a sheep and it’s two lambs, uphill and down dale….the poor things must have been terrified. I managed to catch the dog and return it to it’s owner – who then decided it would be a wise move for her to abandon the walk.

It was indeed wise.

We continued, minus one dog and one walker: following tracks into Macclesfield Forest, but not before a pleasant sit-down and tiffin share at Forest Chapel.

We passed the closed Leathers Smithy pub, then around the southern edges of Ridgegate Reservoir. We could see over to the layby on the north side of the reservoir, it was crammed with cars.

Shutlingsloe soon came into view, some took the easy climb to the top, others chose the lower route around the eastern side.

 

Then it started to rain, this is England after all, an English walk without rain well, it just wouldn’t be right.

The rain proved little more than a shower, an April Shower – in May. The weather *has* been rather unseasonable.

Crag Hall

A couple of girls stopped us, they were trying to find Three Shires Head by following a route description. They had no map or compass. They photographed my map, I hope they found their way.

We were soon back at the car park. We’d had a very pleasant stroll, marred only by the unwelcome doggy incident.

Where we went:

8½ miles with, according to Viewranger, 1400ft of ascent….I’m not sure about that though.