Following the published Government road map to ease lockdown, we will be able to restart the rambles. However, as the rule of 6 for outdoor activity only comes into place at the end of March, we have decided to delay the start of the rambles until Thursday 6th May to allow for any movement in the dates. Rule of 6 will apply until restrictions are lifted. Details of the ramble will be published here in mid April. It’ll be great to get out and about again, however to comply with insurance, please ensure you have renewed your membership for 2021 before the walk. Details of how to do this are featured on the website.
Author Archives: marken86
A sunny Cheshire Ramble
Fifteen members of the Rambling group, plus a four legged friend, enjoyed a lovely walk today in bright sunshine. Starting from the outskirts of Frodsham we followed the Carriage Drive into the woods climbing upwards towards Helsby Hill. Having clambered down then climbed up, we emerged onto the crag of Helsby Hill, and took the opportunity to have a quick break whilst enjoying the lovely views which enabled us to see as far as the cathedrals on Hope street. Continue reading
Ainsdale circuit
The Inbetweeners ( longer ride Pedal Pushers) had a great 24 mile circuit out to Ainsdale today. Starting out for Robins Island we took the country roads through Lydiate and Aughton before heading out across the moss to Plex Lane and on to the Coastal road. Stopping off at Mecycle bike workshop for a coffee. We retraced the route back across the moss as far as the Ship Inn, then cycled through Haskayne, cut across country past Farmer Teds, and back into Lydiate. A couple of us broke off here and came back along the Cheshire Lines, whilst the others carried on to Bells Lane and home at that end of Maghull. A lovely ride led by Trevor, without the usual fierce headwind and some sunshine for a change. Coastal ride planned for next week, when we are pleased to welcome a new U3A member to our group.
Ramblers tackle the Beacon Loop
19 Ramblers met at Beacon Country Park in Upholland this morning to tackle the Beacon Loop, a circular walk of just under 10 miles taking in Roby Mill, Dalton. Appley Bridge, and Ashurst Beacon. After the overnight rain we set off in dry conditions, and the sun made its presence felt, and at our first drink stop many of the walkers divested themselves of layers and t shirts were in evidence. Crossing fields and pasture land we encountered some very muddy tracks, which were bad on Sunday when the final recce was done, but with the overnight rain they were a challenge even to the most sure footed folk. Continue reading
We beat the rain!
Three of us from the Inbetweeners (aka Pedal Pushers longer riders ) decided to have a quick ride around Aughton today as the forecast was poor. Setting off from Maghull we did a rural circuit through to Aughton then on to Town Green from where we had planned to cycle back to Maghull. However the weather was still fair, we had out cycled the black clouds, so we decided to add a little more on…then a little more before we pitched up at Halsall, stopping off at the Village Bakehouse for a very acceptable coffee. However this meant that we needed to retrace our route back to avoid all the canal bridges, where we met the inevitable headwind which blew at us all the way back through to Lydiate. Two hours after starting and with a nice 17 mile ride accomplished we just beat the rain! Thanks Ken for a good ride. see you next week.
Downholland Dawdle
20 members of the rambling group enjoyed a lovely 8.5 mile meander today. Again we were lucky with the weather, ideal for walking, not too hot, but warm enough for shorts and t-shirts. Leaving from the Ship Inn at Haskayne, splitting into 3 groups and following all social distancing guidelines, we walked through Barton Cutting nature reserve, onto the Leeds Liverpool canal through to Halsall, before walking up onto Gorse Hill for a picnic lunch stop. It was here that Dave helpfully pulled the sole off Paul’s shoe, which had been flapping for some considerable time! Thankfully there was only a bit of road work on the walk, or it could have been quite uncomfortable walking just on a cardboard inner!. Passing along the edge of the nature reserve we came up to Gorse Hill Reservoir, where once again United Utilities were digging away, Unusual wildlife was in evidence in one of the gardens we passed, then circuiting back though Lydiate we returned to our start point at the Ship where some of us enjoyed liquid refreshment in the beer garden. Thanks to Alan, and his four legged friend for leading the walk. The next ramble is on Thursday 3rd September. route yet to be decided!
Rainford reconnoitre
The longer riders of the Pedal Pushers group had a good ride today starting from Maghull, circuiting Rainford and returning home via Aughton, a distance of just under 25 miles. Riding via Spurriers lane we came across a council lorry collecting several mattresses which had been fly tipped in the lovely countryside. It beggars belief that people would do this!. Riding on we stopped at the recently re-named Cherry Orchard tea rooms ( formerly the Lavender Farm) where enjoyed a lovely coffee at one of the many outside benches. Suitably refreshed we continued via the bypass towards golf driving range to access the Rainford Linear Cycle path to Rainford junction station. Using country lanes we cycled on through Bickerstaffe and Aughton, where the inevitable headwind made the going considerably harder! Circuiting through Aughton we returned to Maghull just under 3 hours since we left, having enjoyed a great ride through some lovely scenery.
Half the Pedal pushers
The group have temporarily split to allow those who have not been cycling during lockdown to build up their stamina again. Today Bill led those people on a ride through Aughton, whilst the others of us completed a 20 mile circuit through Aughton, Halsall and Shirdley Hill. It was good to see some of the usual watering holes had reopened with additional outside seating, but today we stopped at Halsall park for our own coffee and cakes. The village was bedecked with scarecrows for their usual festival which made an amusing sight. We tackled a good few hills today which tested our legs, and completed our ride in just over 2 1/2 hours. Hopefully the group can join forces again in the not too distant future.
A socially distanced Ramble
After over 100 days in lockdown the Rambling group finally managed to get out together today, and after all the lovely weather we have had, it absolutely poured down! Walking in groups of six, as per Government guidelines, we kept a social distance and covered the route of the Warhorse Walk from Ormskirk to Lathom Chapel. After a quick drink break we continued along very muddy paths, across lush overgrown fields to the site of the old Burscough priory where we had a standing up lunch. Suitably refreshed we carried on through the countryside to Ruff Woods and back to the start point at Ormskirk station. 17 people walked and everyone was in a cheerful mood in spite of the weather, as it was good to get out together as a group in spite of the strange configuration we had to adopt. Hopefully this will be the restart of our walking programme but we are mindful that the rules are constantly changing and so will be keeping to local walks as much as possible for the foreseeable future. In spite of the rain it was good to see the gang back together, even if it was 2 metres apart!
Ramble 2nd July
There will be a ramble on 2nd July following all social distancing guidelines. I will be sending out an email to existing members of the rambling group with full details for the walk. If you are a member of the group and have not received an email by Sunday 28th Please email me at pollypaws46@gmail.com .
I look forward to seeing a lot of you next Thursday for a return to the new normality!
Marg Kendall