As I sit here typing, I am trying my very best not to get involved with the incredible itch coming from my horsefly bite right behind my right knee. The bite that has been bugging (ha!) me since I somehow received it through my leggings on Saturday while at either the Mere or Rufford Old Hall (I’m thinking the Mere is more likely!)
Anyway, I will try to keep my focus on the walk rather than my bite and I’ll get back to that later!
So Sunday was GLORIOUS! Massive difference to Saturday to the point that we went out in shorts and t-shirts with caps, and even left our coats at home!! (yeah, brave I know!) We decided to visit a place that we haven’t been to in about two years, somewhere we went with our first borrow dog, Belle, Little Leigh near Acton Bridge in Cheshire.
Here’s Belle there all those years ago! (aww, she was a real cutie! <3)
(Gosh, the weather was much improved for this trip too! I seem to remember it being sunny, but obviously my memory is switching it.)
So on the theme of day holidays and adventures, we decided to head to Acton Bridge (also under an hour from our house, so perfect for an afternoon out) but ended up having to grab some picnic bits from Tesco en route because we were short of ingredients with the shopping due today! (they do some pretty good stuff if you’re looking)
And then off we went along the motorway and through lovely countryside and villages – pretty lovely drive, I have to say. We parked in a side street (for free) just outside the Leigh Arms in Little Leigh – perfect to follow the canal down and venture out into the walks around and to Acton Bridge, the Anderton Boat Lift and Delamere. To be safe, walk from your parking spot to the corner of the pub wall by the benches where you’ll find a little pathway to take you under the bridge – miles less scary than trying to cross the fast road! It’s scary enough in the car, let alone by foot!!
This path will take you directly onto the route to get to the main Canal and River Trust office and the start of many walks.
Remember to look back when you’re out walking to not only see how far you have come, but to see another angle of the things around you. I like to stop regularly to check out where I am, look for great photo opportunities and also to just be mindful of where I am – and how grateful I am to have it all so nearby!
This is the look back from the above picture 🙂
One of the things that I remembered vividly from our last trip to Little Leigh was the ship wreck that has been sat and decaying for what looks like many years. It really intrigues me and this time, I have made it my mission to try to find out more about it. (I’ll let you know how I get on with it and if you have some info, please let me know!)
I just love how it has become a part of the landscape, a feature of the canal and the plants are taking it over – you have to love nature for that, don’t you?
^ This one was taken from the other side of the water, which you can get to via the swing bridges.
We decided to have a bit of a walk before lunch so took to the Delemere Way makers to follow them along the canal, this took us through away from the main viaduct bridge and into fields and streets. Meandering around we finally reached the canal and when the sun popped out nice and bright.
The path on this side of the canal is not so easy to walk on and I would advice sturdy footwear to make sure that you keep your footing and protect your joints (I say this having broken my ankle in 2014 on adverse ground but was lucky to have by trusty hiking boots on to keep me safe) It is pretty easy to move quickly on, if you’re looking to build up some power or sweat!
There are few people to bump into on this side and you’ll mainly only catch the odd boater or walker coming through. Everyone is friendly, which is always a bonus, though. To get back to the main path you’ll have to leave at one of the bridges and head through a field to pop you back out on the long path you came in on.
We had a lot of fun with some lovely men that we got chatting to as they were surprised to see us back again, in such quick time too – we seemed to become quite infamous with it even in the short amount of time we were there! Tee hee!
Our walk took us back to the picnic area near the swing bridge and was just the right time for our (cheaty) picnic!
Once refuilled with tea, houmous, pasta and crisps we headed to explore the route to Acton Bridge only to turn back when we felt the slight pangs of disappointment when we were walking for some time on roads rather than the lush greenery that we were looking for! Don’t get me wrong, there were some lovely bit too – see…
On returning we headed back onto the track that we know – the one leading to the bridge and taking us along some shaded pathway to cool us down a bit while we slowed our pace to digest lunch. It is not a long walk, but enjoyable all the same with the water smoothly running next to you and only the distant sound of people chatting on the other side of the river.
You would be surprised at how quiet it can be even for the most beautiful of days. From what I noticed, most people keep to the paths and hard standing at the beginning of the walk, leaving the grass bits and the areas that are a bit more off the beaten track empty, quiet and serene – perfect when you’re getting away from it all. In fact, it is so quiet that you can ear your feet brushing through the grass.
Although we would have loved to have done more, it was getting pretty warm and the sunlight was really intense (and my bite was growing to the point of leg stiffness!) so we decided that it was time to head back to the pub for an ice cold pint of lime and soda. I’d like to say that we sauntered back, but we are trekkers through and through so we *faster than the average person* walked our way back to the car and the pub.
Just look at how stunning and different the layers of colour are in the filed on the route to the car – I love how it swathes across the countryside and changes both with the seasons, the light of the day and the angle you see it from.
And you know what the best thing about parking near a pub is? Yes, toilets! But also a freezing cold pint of lime and soda to cool off and prepare for the journey home! Oh and check out our progress too on the Fitbit. For a short easy walk, we didn’t do too badly either.
Ahh! And now we can start to plan our next day holiday outing!
Keep walking and keep planning!
Until next time,
…and my horsefly bite – well, it is now about 3″ in diameter, and making my knee stiff! Ugh! I have it smeared in Aloe Vera gel and am taking anti-histamines. Do you know any other products/home remedies that work? I’d love to try them and pull them together into a blog post 🙂