Despite weather warnings of heavy rain and strong winds, twenty stramblers assembled at The Punchbowl for today’s walk through Lunt Meadows. We set off along Lunt Road and soon took a footpath into fields, which followed the course of a brook, quaintly named “St Helen’s Gutter”. The brook leads to St Helen’s Well on the other side of Lunt Road which is thought to be 600 years old.
The path passed the rear of the Punchbowl and the football pitch of South Sefton Borough Football Club (not sure if they’re still going – couldn’t find any current fixtures). The brook joined the River Alt where Dover’s Brook also joined and we came to a bridge across the river. We didn’t cross this bridge, but turned along the bank. Following the winding river for about half a mile, we came to Showrick’s Bridge, a wide wooden bridge, which we crossed before taking steep steps down into a field. The path across the field was narrow and muddy in parts and led us to the Cheshire Lines path. The path is a mud free, tarmac one here and we followed it back towards Sefton Lane. We stopped for a drinks break, where a notice told us of improvements to be made to the path in 2023. Emerging into Sefton Drive, we took the pedestrian crossing across Sefton Lane into Old Racecourse Road. The road takes its name from the course where the first ever Grand National was held in 1839 (won by “Lottery”). We turned into Meadway and then on to a footpath into Jubilee Woods. The path took us over Dover’s Brook and we skirted the woods before coming to the River Alt. Some steep steps then took us up on to the river’s bank and we followed the bank with the woods to our right. We had done well with the weather, enjoying sunshine in parts, but now the promised rain and wind arrived. Not too heavy at first, but as we reached Bridges Lane it became heavier. We passed Sefton Church and arrived back at The Punchbowl as the rain got even heavier. Coats off and a good sit down were much welcomed and our meals soon arrived. Through the windows, the rain now looked torrential, but happily, sunshine broke through before we left.
Thanks to Anne and Brenda for organising, and to Sheila and Judith for the recce. No walks in December or January, so have a good Christmas and see you in February.