Helsby and Frodsham Walk (7.5 miles) Saturday 7^th February

In attendance: Lynne Williams (meet leader), Lucie Williams, Mich Harrison, Claire Hawkins, Christine Beeston, Neil Boynton, Laura Bond, Tim Howarth, Dave Wylie, Kate Harvey, Pete and Daisy, Sarah Fish (prospective)

Special guest: Henry Spaniel-Williams

The weather forecast on Friday was absolute bobbins so my default brain setting was ‘bin it and go to the Depot’. But no! Wierdly, that very night, a flurry of keeners signed up, thus nixing my spineless plan. Mich laughed.

So, that was it. I silenced the naughty skivey climbing wall voice in my head and COMMITTED to the 90% chance of rain in Helsby and Frodsham the next day. Never mind. All will be well.

And, guess what? It was! Meets are as much about the people as the venue and I knew that it was a proper meet when the Wylie signed up at 7:30 am on Saturday. In addition, Lucie said she was bringing Henry the spaniel, which meant it was a proper walk because we had both the Wylie and a dog. All good.

I don’t do early starts. Sod that. We all met up in the Helsby Quarry Woodland car park at 10:30 am, or near enough (a surprisingly popular time, according to my on-walk market research – meet leaders take note) then headed off up Hill Road into the woods of Helsby Hill. Henry was psyched and did much scampering. Dave, less so.

The walk is quite varied, given its relatively short length and lack of big hill drama. I’ll be honest and admit that a teensy part of the reason for my choice was location, location, location; it being a mere 25 minute drive from my house on the Welsh border. Also, there was the novelty factor of a KMC day stroll not in the Peak or Yorkshire, and the option of a cosy dog-friendly pub at the end of it, almost like I chose it just for Henry. The walk meanders through gently rolling fields, enclosed footpaths, stretches of the Sandstone Trail and lots of oak and birch woodlands. Plus it takes in Helsby Hill at the beginning and Frodsham Hill halfway round, offering panoramic views of the Dee Estuary and the beauties of Stanlow Oil Refinery. Sadly, we missed out on this vista due to insitu drizzle.

Going was pretty wet underfoot, which got slightly worse with a big downpour just before Beacon Hill, causing Kate, Pete and Daisy to cut their walk short and find a quicker route back to the car park. The rest of the team pressed on and largely didn’t get too soaked again. Henry wore his red raincoat intermittently. Connies were therefore better than advertised by the Met Office, thankfully.

It probably sounds all wet and horrible but it was actually a jolly wheeze, because, as I said above, meets are as much about the people as the place or the weather. I learnt interesting things including that Claire is the owner (and wearer) of Merino wool knickers; Sarah is a keen snowboarder; Dave drove 50 miles to come on the walk; Tim and Laura got the train to Helsby then slogged uphill from the town to find the car park to meet us and Christine has taken up power lifting. I also learnt that neither Mich or I, despite recceing the walk in November, could remember where it went. Everyone was very patient with all my map-reading errors, which Mich corrected with her phone digi-map - many thanks. We did remember where the pub was though.

All in all, a very good way to spend a damp day in Cheshire. I liked it so much I might even do another one.

Lynne Williams

Helsby and Frodsham (7.5 miles)

Just going to the Peak all the time gets boring so why not branch out for some West Cheshire walking, which by total coincidence is much nearer to where I live than the Peak District.

I have recced this one already and it is pleasant, varied, has some good views and a very nice pub at the end of it. Come and stretch your legs on a mellow and pretty walk in the woods and on the hills.

Meet up: Helsby Quarry Woodland Park Car Park (free) 10:30 am.

The walk takes in Helsby Hill, Harmers Lake, bits of Sandstone Trail, Frodsham Hill (views), more Sandstone Trail and woodiness then back to Helsby. 7.5 miles.

The White Lion in Alvanley has also been recced so I think it would be rude not to drop in for a swifty at the end of the walk, which will definitely be in daylight.

Let me know if you are interested, or use the 'add me' button.

Fingers crossed for dry weather.