14 very hardy members of the Rambling group took an 8 mile meander on the Wirral yesterday. Spirits were high on the train at the prospect of a bracing walk in the fresh air, but soon plummeted as the train emerged from the Mersey tunnels to find the weather on the Wirral was inclement to say the least!
Using the opportunity of a train carriage which was empty apart from our group, waterproof outer layers soon emerged from rucksacks and by the time we arrived at Hoylake we were all geared up for the driving rain! Walking ( very briskly) from the station we took the path past the animal rescue centre and headed across open country through Gilroy Nature Park for our first small climb up Grange Hill where we paused briefly at the war memorial. Unlike the day we did the recce the views were good, and we could clearly see the Great Orme at Llandudno with Snowdon in the far distance and also a clear view of Hilbre Island. Thankfully the grey overhead clouds didn’t deposit any more rain on us from this point, and we continued through some very muddy terrain to Caldy Hill where we again had some good views. Following some very waterlogged overgrown paths we emerged onto Thurstaston Common and then into Royden Country Park where we had a very brief stop for a snack before completing our circular walk back to the station and, for some of us, onward to the Green Lodge Hotel for a well deserved drink and lunch. Thanks to Gill for leading the walk. The next ramble will be on Thursday 3rd February, which will either be to North Wales or the Ribble Valley depending on the amount of snowfall in the areas. New members are always welcome to join the group. Details of the group are available in the Year Book.