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Who doesn’t like jumping about in muddy puddles? On today’s ramble, led by Alan, there was plenty of opportunity for just that!
The circular walk of nearly 7 miles from Orrell Waterpark to Billinge Hill (179m or 587ft) took place in bright dry weather and we made the beacon tower at the top of the hill in good time and along reasonably dry paths underfoot.  What Billinge Hill lacks in height it makes up for with 360 degree views of the surrounding landscape. Continue reading →

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Seventeen Ramblers met in Bold Street, Liverpool today for our annual Winter walk and Christmas lunch.  Undaunted by the ominous weather forecast, which predicted wind and prolonged rain, the group met outside The Lyceum to hear about the long and somewhat chequered history of this Grade II listed building. Setting off up Bold Street, which started life as a long field or Ropewalk and was the right length top to bottom for the production of ropes for the growing maritime industry, we heard about the connection with the wealthy DeBold family whose business enterprises of sugar imports and banking in the 18th century involved dark dealings with the slave trade by one Jonas Bold. Continue reading →

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10 very intrepid ramblers relocated todays ramble from Dolphinholme near Lancaster to a local walk due to concerns about flooding. We decided  to walk from Waterloo to Formby, which, although not up to our usual level of difficulty, would give us a decent length walk where the area would hopefully be dry. However storm Ciaran had different ideas! Having travelled by train to Waterloo we walked along the edge of the Marine Lake where the waves were being whipped up by the wind, but at least it was only a light drizzle if a little breezy. Turning the corner onto the promenade we were met with a severe onward wind which increased in intensity as we walked. The sand was whipped up as we walked giving everyone a good sand blasting on the face! The  light drizzle then changed into a downpour and it wasn’t long before everyone was soaked in spite of good walking gear. Part of the walk had to be on the beach as the pathways have now been overtaken by the dunes and walking there is impossible. Reaching Crosby area we decided to leave the promenade and take to the footpath in the hope of getting a little shelter from the wind and driving rain. However by the time we reached Blundellsands the weather was even worse so we sensibly decided to abandon the ramble and head for the nearest station to return home. This is the first time we have been foiled by the weather  but the safety of walkers is paramount and we all agreed this was the right decision. Thanks to everyone who turned out today and I hope you all dried out quickly!

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The rambling group undertook a 10 mile circular walk today in very hot humid weather, although thankfully the sun was behind clouds for most of the walk, Starting out from the Black Horse pub at Limbrick we walked down the very aptly named Long Lane (more  about that later) to enter a pleasantly shaded dell and into rough pasture ground. Continue reading →

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10 members of the rambling group today had a very unexpected lovely day for our 8.5 mile circular ramble starting at Glasson Dock near Lancaster. The forecast had been for intermittent showers, but in spite of the very heavy rain on the M6 on our outward journey we found ourselves in a microclimate of warm sunshine and clear blue skies!

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Due to a family emergency the expected leader of our July ramble was suddenly unavailable, so rather than cancel we decided to revisit a walk we had done about 18 months ago. Starting from Sefton Village we took the well used path to Lunt Meadows and followed the route of the River Alt to Bains Bridge. Continue reading →

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7 of the ramblers took a very windswept hike yesterday from Abbey Village to Darwen Tower, a climb of 1100 feet and just under 9 miles distance. Starting from the Hare and Hounds pub ( always good to begin ( and end) at a pub) we walked across a very well made path to Rake Brook, the first of the three reservoirs in the area. Pausing to watch the antics of a spaniel, who clearly covered at least 50% more ground than its human companion, we descended into woodland which forms part of the Witton Weavers Way, a long distance route we have walked many times in the past. Continue reading →

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10 members of the rambling group today completed an 8 mile circuit of Lyme Park, a national trust property in Cheshire and the surrounding moors . In spite of the poor weather forecast we were really lucky and escaped the rain apart from a few random rain drops. Continue reading →