A group of 16 Stramblers met on Thursday 15th September at the Saracen’s Head, Halsall, for a walk along the Leeds Liverpool Canal and surrounding footpaths. The weather was a little overcast but pleasant with a promise of some brighter sunshine later in the day.
We walked the short distance along the road to Big Brick Farm before heading along field paths at Bangor’s Green to the canal.
We passed a family of swans with the cygnets just turning colour to their adult plumage. We spent a few minutes chatting to a lone fisherman who said he hadn’t caught anything but didn’t mind as it was a nice day. A little further along the canal we stopped to read a plaque in Halsall Cutting commemorating the location of the first work to build the canal in 1770
Soon we took a short rest at the Ship Inn but unfortunately no refreshments were available so we drank our water and nibbled a few snacks.
We headed off down the road past the Kings Head to Haskayne where we admired the Old Post Office in the village and discussed the new build housing before heading off along a field path again.
All the fields were full of maturing crops which we thought might be turnips or beet but had no experts to confirm.
We took a short detour from our planned route to take a look at Haskayne Cutting Wet Woodland nature reserve. It was fortunately dry underfoot and we were able to see the alder, willow and birch trees as well as listening to some of the birds singing. We identified one as a chiffchaff.
We rejoined a road near Halsall Hall before heading past some overhanging beans across another field path beside the school at Halsall.
A short walk on the bumpy path brought us back to the canal just as the sun came out, prompting most walkers to take off their warm jumpers.
We passed a number of barges moored on the side of the canal and one or two sailing along the canal towards Maghull.
On reaching the Saracen’s Head some of us checked out the monument to the canal navvies.
We ended the walk with a well earned drink and meal at the pub.
Bob Morris
Thanks Bob and Sheila for the photos, and thanks to Bob for the report.