Fifteen strollers took the train to West Kirby Station (with a short, worrying, unscheduled stop outside Bidston). We left the station along Grange Road to the start of the Wirral Way – part of the Wirral Country Park which opened in 1973. The Wirral Way follows the track bed of part of the former Birkenhead Railway route from West Kirby to Hooton The old line, which closed in 1962, follows the estuary of the River Dee for seven miles between West Kirby and Parkgate. The route then heads inland, across the Wirral to Hooton. We followed the path for just over a mile, at first flanked by trees which later gave way to bushes and occasional views over the River Dee estuary. The group then split with some carrying on to Thursaston and the rest taking a shorter route to the coastal path. This path across a wide stretch of grassland gave us much better views across the Dee with the beach, Marine Lake and path, Hilbre Island, North Wales and numerous yachts and small fishing boats in sight. After a short inland spell, we made our way down Sandy Lane to the Marine Lake and strolled around its edge with waves lapping it on both sides as the tide was in. Wind surfers and paddle boarders were enjoying the lake with RNLI members patrolling in case of mishaps. A most enjoyable walk.
Thanks to Sylvia for organising, recce-ing and leading the walk.