Hi All and a Happy New Year!
On Sunday 10 December the club took 2 coaches of ramblers to Chester for our Christmas walk where the addition of snow only added to the festive atmosphere. Thanks to Arthur Jones and John Stephenson for their walks reports.
This Sunday 7 January will be our first walk of 2018 to Brinscall near Chorley.
B Party
Having been dropped off further along the A51 than had been planned, Tony had to consult his map in order to find a route which would enable us to get back on track. He soon found a footpath between a short stretch of residential properties and his 7 disciples followed him into open country. Crossing several fields, not always on obvious paths, we reached the Longster Trail, which we were to follow for much of our day's walk. Reaching Hollowmoor Heath we moved on to Great Barrow, where we found a very convenient bus shelter in which to have our mid-morning break. Just as we were about to move on it started to snow lightly, which added to our enjoyment of the walk.
Continuing on to Guildon Sutton we crossed a very wet area of land which had us all dodging and weaving to find the least watery route. At one point we had to help Gail out of a particularly muddy patch. Just before reaching Oxen Bridge, which spans the River Gowy, we crossed a wooden bridge over a stream running into the river. This presented a perfect group photo opportunity. As we passed through Guildon Sutton we saw the Bird in Hand pub, which Tony had considered for our Christmas dinner but then rejected because of it being too far from our final destination at Chester.
Moving on we returned to the A51 after passing through Vicar Cross golf course. No golfers were in evidence due to the ground being covered in a layer of snow. Crossing the A51 with great care, it having a heavy flow of traffic, we passed through Littleton and continued on to Christleton. The Ring O Bells at Christleton was Tony's chosen venue for our dinner, and what a great choice it was. Sitting in comfortable surrounding and eating excellent food, everybody was well satisfied. On leaving the Ring O Bells we quickly joined the towpath alongside the Shropshire Union Canal and walked along it until we reached Chester.. We then made our way to the banks of the Dee and followed the river as far as the coach park at the Roodee. Bev, Gail and Andy then decided to take a walk along the city walls. The remaining 5 of us had a quick change of boots and attire, and then went for a final drink in the Brewery Tap. It was originally a Jacobean Hall, built by the Gamul Family who were very prominent in the English Civil War. During its history it has been a school and a tenement but is now a fine drinking house selling a good variety of beers.
All in all the day's walk and meal was an excellent end to another good year of walks. Long may they continue.
D Party
21 members joined the ‘D’ party Christmas Walk starting at the Village of Stamford Bridge. The elements had dropped several inches of snow, more than in Leigh, which gave the day a pleasant Christmas feel to it. We followed the A51 for just over half a mile before turning into Stamford Road. At this point the A51 follows the line of the old Roman Road which ran from Chester (Deva) to the Roman Fort at Castlefield, Manchester, (Mamucium). We turned right across fields with a reasonable layer of snow along the path toward Christleton. About half way along we stopped for an extended break to sample some of the Festive Fayre that most people had brought along.
We continued into the very picturesque village of Christleton, before heading west to meet the Shropshire Union Canal, which we followed along its gentle descent past five locks until we got to Hoole Lane. The original plan was to follow the canal as far as the city walls and follow them round to the Roodee, but I had looked at the distance involved a week before the walk, and realised we would never have made it. We joined the A51 again for a short distance before turning left to descend down toward the banks of the River Dee. The last mile was a leisurely stroll along the river embankments where we met the city walls just before the Old Dee Bridge. A short distance afterwards brought us to the Roodee Car Park and the waiting coaches. We had a Christmas Lunch booked at the Church Bar and Restaurant, and we only just had enough time to get changed and ready for it. If I hadn’t adjusted the walk, we would have been late.
The lunch itself was excellent, and held in the retored St Andrew’s United Reformed Church. Several members commented that it was the nicest walk and meal for several years. Many thanks to Fred Willams and Clare Daniels for organising it all and sorting out the menus, deposits etc. A Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year from ‘D’ party, and we look forward to another year of walking in 2018.