Great English Walk Day 12 - 28 March 2018

Holmston Hall CCC site to Brereton Heath
Walking 9.30 to 7.10pm
Distance walked today 16 miles
Distance walked so far 193 miles 
Distance left 391 miles

I started with road walking to Wettenhall. The fields I crossed had been used by cattle and were clumps of grass with hoof holes filled with water and worse. It was quite slow going. I was glad to reach Church Minshull for lunch which I had in the churchyard. I was slightly tempted to have lunch in The Badger next door but I probably look rather a sight with muddy smelly shoes.

Church Minshull

Just after crossing the railway bridge on the approach to Warmington, the footpath came to a stile, on the other side of which was a large pool of slurry totally obstructing the path on the other side, caused by a farmer placing a mountain of manure right next to it. 

Gross!

I backtracked a few feet, scrambled through a hedge and rolled under an electric fence to a farm track. The continuation of the footpath on the other side was unpleasant as slurry had spread to it. To avoid it, I walked parallel to the path through a field. The other end of the footpath was totally flooded with I know not what. I have photos which I intend sending to East Cheshire Council. I'm aware that farmers have no obligation to maintain footpaths but obstruction is another matter. I don't think I've ever seen anything as bad.

Approaching Elworth, the ground improved somewhat and at times became really nice walking. Although a bit chilly at times, the evening turned quite sunny. Just before reaching my destination for the night, I stopped to chat with a lovely lady, Deborah Edwards, walking her black labrador, Obi. I told her of my walk and, as we parted, she shook my hand and gave me a hug!

A few minutes later, I arrived at my night's accommodation. I have a perfect wild pitch in Brereton Heath Nature Reserve. It's a haven for dog walkers but they disappeared as light faded.