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What do you do on a day when the weather forecast was appalling and the rain fell in torrents? Go on a ramble of course! Setting off from our usual meeting place at the Baptist Church, numbers were severely depleted from previous walks but undaunted we travelled over the Mersey Gateway bridge ( did everyone remember to pay the tolls?) and set sail for Daresbury! The ideal mode of transport should have been boats, but by the time we reached the start point the torrents had lessened to a drizzle and spirits were raised. Todays ramble was following the Lewis Carroll trail around the Cheshire countryside which, according to the information would afford wonderful views of Winter Hill and the Clywdian mountain range. Maybe November was not the best day to undertake it. Continue reading →

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15 ramblers had an epic 11 mile trek yesterday through some lovely Cheshire scenery and some equally epic mud! Starting at Arley Hall, recently featured as Tommy Shelby’s house on Peaky Blinders, we walked through fields, tracks and canal banks, often being quite acrobatic to negotiate kissing gates and deep mud at the same time. We had a quick snack stop at Marbury Country park and then took a detour to the lake to view the open water swimming pool! Wonder why no one was eager to try it out? Nearing the end of the walk we came to the beautiful village of Great Budworth, where the George and Dragon beckoned us to sample the array of food and drink on offer. Suitably refreshed, but with some reluctance to leave the fireside, we continued the final 2.5 miles back to the cars at Arley, just beating the closing time of 5:30 pm. Thanks to Margaret Schumacher for the recce and leading the walk.

The next ramble is on Thursday 7th November and will be to Daresbury in Cheshire. Details to follow.

The next ramble will be on Thursday 3rd October. This will be a 10 mile ramble taking in the Cheshire countryside, including the lovely village of Great Budworth. The walk is mainly flat with an incline and descent in the centre of the walk. We will park at Arley Hall. Sat nav directions do not use the best route so we will discuss route before leaving. There is a small  walkers car parkwhich is free, or £2 parking at Arley Hall itself.  Snack lunch en route with a stop at the George and Dragon pub at Great Budworth at the end of the walk for light meal/drinks. Please meet at Baptist church car park at 9:30 to leave at 9:45. Due to length of walk we may be back in Maghull after 5pm.

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15 members of the Ramblers group had a good walk today to the top of Moel Famu in North Wales. It was great to have 2 new U3A members join us on the walk. Although the distance covered was only just under 4 miles, the inclines were severe in places and certainly raised the heart rate. The weather was fine, if somewhat blowy, particularly at the top of the mountain. Descending via a different scenic route back to the car park we were afforded some tremendous views over the valley towards Liverpool and beyond. It was great to go up on such a clear day as the mountain is often shrouded in mist. Following the walk we regrouped at the Druids Inn for a lovely late lunch and some welcome drinks. Thanks to Ralph for the recce and leading the walk. Our next ramble will be to Great Budworth in Cheshire and will be on Thursday 3rd October.

Our latest ramble was in the Bolton area, starting and finishing at the Black Bull pub in Edgworth.  A short 45 minute drive saw us in the car park and ready to roll by 10.40 with blue sky and sunshine.  A quick call into the local bowling club facility and then we were underway for a 7 mile jaunt.  Parks, woods, rivers and some great scenery made it a good day out. The weather tried to spoil it but we were back to the pub for a late lunch by 2 pm just in time to watch the rain.  Well done to Ann and Peter for a great day.

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7 members of the rambling group set out today to tackle a hike around the Dove Stone reservoir area on Saddleworth Moor, which lies at the Northwest corner of the Peak District. Starting at a height of 210m we walked up a well made path winding around side of the hills in lovely sunshine. However the moors of the Peak District soon showed their true colours and the mist rolled in and a fine drizzly rain started to fall, which caused an impromptu stop to don wet gear….which…as can be seen from some of the photos …was of the slightly more unorthodox variety in some cases! Continue reading →

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14 of us set off this morning from the Butlers Arms in Pleasington, a picturesque village on the outskirts of Blackburn, to walk the 6 miles of the Beamers Trail, part of the 32 mile walk known as the Witton Weavers Way. Pleasington was the manorial home of families such as the Ainsworths and Butler-Bowdens and still has a row of handloom weavers cottages  within the village. We joined the path at Pleasington Priory, which is a fine example of a Gothic Roman Catholic Church. Continue reading →

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12 members of the Ramblers group set off from the top of Parbold Hill to undertake an 8 mile walk through the picturesque Douglas Valley. Although we are now in Spring, the day was very cold, which necessitated the walkers being well wrapped up with hats scarves and gloves as well as the usual walking gear. Peter and Ann had undertaken a recce of the walk last week and found the tracks to be clear and easy to negotiate. Today however, following the recent heavy rains, the paths were very muddy and there were a couple of near misses which thankfully did not result in anyone falling in the streams!  Continue reading →