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Chester to Bache 27th March 2025

Twenty three Stramblers and a small dog, Lulu, took the train to Chester for today’s walk. Fortunately the trains were on time, which hasn’t been the case for much of this week.

Led by Ann and Peter we walked from the station along City Road towards the City Centre. We soon reached the bridge over the Shropshire Union Canal where we went down the steps to join the tow path in the direction of Ellesmere Port.

We walked in the shadow of the City Walls for a while, passing the locks, before arriving at the Dee branch of the Shropshire Union Canal. Many of us remembered a walk we did in the area, on Maundy Thursday last year, when there were many barges in this area, en route to the Easter Historic Boat Gathering at the National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port. Today there were a number of canal boats at Tower Wharf but considerably less than there were last year.

We continued along the tow path until we reached Knoll’s Bridge, or Bridge 131, on the Shropshire Union Canal. Here we left the towpath and crossed over the bridge. We took a short break, sitting in the sunshine, enjoying a drink and a snack. Our walk continued across a disused golf course which has been naturally rewilded providing a home for flora and fauna. The Oaks course closed in 2016 and it is now undulating heathland and not easily recognisable as a golf course.

Ann and Peter led us in a loop of the old golf course back to Knoll’s Bridge, which we crossed and entered The Countess of Chester Country Park, which was opened by Camilla, Countess of Chester in 2014. We followed most of Silva’s Trail.This trail was named after a dog, who loved to be walked here. We noticed a bench and mosaic dedicated to Silva. We also noticed a number of carved poppies along the path, these are part of a World War 1 Centenary Memorial.

We then left the Country Park and walked along Countess Way to Liverpool Road where the walk ended. Some of the group went to Bache Station to get the train home, others went for lunch at the Mill or Morrisons.

All agreed we had had a lovely walk on a warm, sunny day. Thank you to Ann and Peter for leading the walk.

Thank you to Sheila and Judith for the photos.