POCO MENO MOSSO - IT'S TOO HOT!!!

Maybe it's just the fantastic weather, but I'm getting ahead of myself again!  Finished the recent short stretch yesterday at the village of Waverton, just a few miles SE of Chester - a lovely, gentle, 9.5 mile walk from near Alvanley - across fields and pleasant farm land, in the delightful company of Jane, Bea Schirmer (D. Bass, Halle) and Tom Verity (Clarinet, RLPO).  Two nice pubs on the route so we took our time and really enjoyed ourselves.  Just enough breeze to take the heat out of the sunshine!
Then we drove home via Manchester, where we had a cheery gathering of old friends (and many not-so-old) at the Horse & Jockey in Chorlton Green.  Thanks to all who came - lovely to see you!  We eventually got home at about 12.30.
I could easily reach Offa's Dyke in another three days!  However, lots of people have said that they'd like to walk some of that section with us - so, to make that possible, I don't really want to get there much before the summer holidays.  I've extended my route slightly so that I reach the Offa's Dyke path at the north end of the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct (a real attraction - such a spectacular feature) and I'm going to dawdle over the next month or so to avoid getting there too soon.
As always, I'll post details of when and where I'm going to be doing the next few legs on here, on Facebook and by email.  Hope to see you soon!
The next album of photos (from the Lune to the Dee) will be posted after the next short leg of the walk.

GLORIOUS DAY - IN SUNNY RUNCORN!?!

Well, Runcorn certainly wasn't as grim as I expected! Ann & Peter Dangerfield and I started near Runcorn Station and we soon managed to negotiate the streets, housing estates and motorways and get down to the canal, where the rowing club were training hard. Crossed the rustiest swing bridge you've ever seen, after which Ann & Peter had to go home, so I trundled down the road into Frodsham.
Refreshed myself at the old Bear's Paw Pub while I waited for Jane to arrive. Then the two of us found our way out of Frodsham on the "Sandstone Trail" - which turned out to be a really lovely walk through woodland on the edge of the cliff, with glimpses of fabulous vies over the Mersey Estuary. Finished just north of Alvanley Cliff then went to a new camp site near Waverton.
Drove into Liverpool to hear the Liv. Phil. Youth Orchestra playing at the Phil. Yet another potentially fine youth orchestra struggling from lack of string players - but excellent 1st Oboe.
Roll on tomorrow!

CROSSED THE MERSEY - OFF TO THE PHIL.

Not the most exciting walk today - pleasant enough countryside from Rainhill, round Blundell Hill Golf Course, over the M62 and then gradually getting grimmer down through Widnes. The bridge over to Runcorn is very impressive though, with great views of the estuary. Got a little bit beyond Runcorn Station to lessen the gloom of walking through Runcorn tomorrow. Brilliant sun all day today - and a nice breeze so it wasn't too hot! Hope for similar tomorrow. Off to the Phil by bus now, to meet some RLPO friends.

SOON BEE ... 'CROSS THE MERSEE ...

Hope the weather holds for next week-end, because the big walk starts again this Saturday (Rainhill - over the Mersey to Runcorn), then Sunday (Runcorn - Frodsham - Alverley Cliff) and Monday (Alverley Cliff to Waverton).
Also hope to meet up with RLPO friends after their concert on Saturday - then to hear the Liverpool Phil Youth Orchestra on Sunday - and we shall be having a celebratory JOG-LE party at the Horse & Jockey in Chorlton Green, Manchester, on the way home on Monday night (7.30 ish onwards.)
As always, do join me if you can - for a walk, a drink, a chat, or any combination!  Email me, or message me on Facebook, or ring 07974 698265.  Please help to spread the word!

HOTTEST DAY SINCE MARCH - RIDICULOUS!!!

Rainhill Station - of "Rocket" fame!

Woken by heat & sun streaming through the minibus curtains!  At last spring has arrived - but will it last?
Did a fairly short walk today to finish off the stretch before coming home - partly to leave a sensible stage for next Saturday.  Started at Crank and enjoyed pleasant countryside until I crossed the East Lancs Road and hit St Helens!  Even that wasn't as grim as expected - and then it was a gentle stroll along the road to finish at Rainhill Station.
The plan is to start the next stretch there on Saturday 26 May, finishing at the south end of the Widnes-Runcorn Bridge, having crossed the Mersey.  The next day should take us past Frodsham and then, with any luck, we should reach the Shropshire Union Canal, just SE of Chester, on Monday.
Also planning to meet various Liverpool friends on Saturday night, hopefully go to the Liverpool Phil. Youth Orchestra concert on Sunday and then have a party in Manchester on the way home on Monday night.  Details will be posted when arrangements are more definite!

SOME FUNNY PLACE NAMES IN LANCASHIRE!

What with Sod Hall Lane, Cabus, Pimbo and the rest, today's walk finished at Crank - not the most distinguished of villages but a nice pub called the Red Cat. Again, fairly gentle walking, mainly along minor roads but some bits of rather pleasant farm land in between, including a place called "Promised Land Farm", which looked more like building site cum scrap yard!
Ian Tate joined me again today, having got the train out from Manchester to Appley Bridge. He brought his bike and trailed it all the way, so that he could get back to the station at the end! Such dedication!
Jane had been playing in the Isle of Man and flew into Blackpool this afternoon - so she drove down to Crank to meet us and then took me back to the minibus and the campsite. Had a nice meal at the Robin Hood Inn tonight.
Tomorrow's walk will be bit shorter - just down to Rainford - so that we leave enought for the next stretch, down to Widnes and across the Mersey to Runcorn. Can't wait!

GOOD PROGRESS AGAIN

Went to see Anthony Hewitt (Olympianist - cycling LE-JOG with-a-piano-in-a-van) at tha Grand in Clitheroe last night. Great concert and good audience - congrats to Clitheroe Concerts Society for arranging it all. Very nice theatre too.
Had a nice chat and a drink afterwards, then took nearly 2 hours to get to the camp site because the bridge at Ribchester was closed! Got to bed at 1.15am!
No matter - got up early and drove to the end of today's walk. Fay & Ced McIlwaine (parents of Yvonne, an old pupil of mine) kindly met me there and drove me to the start - the famous "Sod Hall Lane". Uneventful walking really, except the sun came out - and my route took me up the only hill in this part of Lancashire, affording great views over to Winter Hill and the Pennines. Clocked up another 9 miles or so.
Nice pint and a good meal in the White Lion in Wrightington tonight. Roll on tomorrow!