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21 members of the walking group set off from St Michaels station this morning in beautiful Spring sunshine. Given the awful weather over the last few days we were delighted to see the clear blue sky and feel warm sunshine giving us a welcome dose of vitamin D. During the course of the walk the layers came off, with many of the group finishing the walk in short sleeves! Following the path from the station we walked up the very cosmopolitan Lark Lane with its eclectic mix of bars and restaurants, and made our way to Princes Park.  Continue reading →

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12 members of the walking group took on the challenge of “the beast from the East” and tackled a 7 mile walk from Maghull to Aughton today.Using the canal paths and byways, the first part of the walk was actually quite pleasant, walking alongside the Leeds Liverpool Canal, watching skating ducks and enjoying the brief glimpses of weak sunlight. Leaving the canal we headed across open farmland in Lydiate when the wind really started to blow. Continue reading →

The next walk will take place on Thursday 1st March. The short walk has been changed slightly because of the conditions underfoot. The walk will still be 5 miles but will now be a walk in the Ormskirk area, rather than Aughton. Please meet at Ormskirk railway station at 10am. Suggested transport is 9:40 bus from Maghull Square or 9:45 train from Maghull. Lunch can be taken at the Royal Oak pub, Aughton after the walk.

The long walk will be approx. 7 miles. Those wanting to do the longer route meet at Maghull Square at 9:30 . We will walk along the canal to the Weld Blundell in Lydiate. Anyone wishing to join the walk there should be at this point at 10am.  (The 31 bus leaves opposite the Square at 9:40). We will walk onwards over Clieves Hill and will end at the Royal Oak in Aughton for an optional meal. Both walks may be muddy so please wear appropriate footwear. Also due to the predicted low temperatures next week wear plenty of layers and walkers may wish to bring a flask for a warm drink enroute.

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11 members of the walking group donned their boots and headed for the hills in North Wales this morning setting off for a circular walk around Rhewl.  Because of the recent heavy rainfalls the leaders decided to change the route slightly to avoid some of the more muddy areas, although there was plenty of slipping and sliding and the stiles proved to be quite challenging with muddy boots and walking poles adding to the negotiation.  Continue reading →

The next walk will take place on Thursday 1st February. There will be two walks one of 8 miles and one of 5 miles. Following the recce it has been reported that the paths are exceptionally muddy, so some amendments to the routes may be necessary. We will sort this out on the day. Both walks involve a couple of stiles. As the walk is in North Wales we will be car sharing. Please meet at the Baptist church car park at 9:30  to organise car share. Passengers will be required to contribute towards fuel and tunnel tolls. Also please bring a change of footwear to prevent muddying the interior of cars on the return journey. Lunch will be available at the Drovers Arms at the end of the walk. New U3A members are welcome…just turn up on the day. Please wear appropriate clothing and footwear.

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12 hardy walkers donned their boots today for the first walk of 2018.Both groups walked together as we had decided to do a meander rather than a yomp to ease the group into the new walking year. Starting at Crosby Lakeside Leisure Centre we strode along the boardwalk and then did a semi-circuit of the Marine lake to reach the promenade. It was necessary here to tackle a very sand filled path, where there was much evidence of the recent high Spring tides with a large amount of flotsam and jetsam strewn along the shore and the path. We managed to stay dry in spite of high tide and having reached the coastguard station took the route through the parks to return back to our start point at Marine Terrace, some 5.5 miles from our start. Emerging from our welcome drinks at Waterloo place we were amazed to find that the wind had become very strong, and were glad that we had completed our first walk in calm weather. The next walk will be on Thursday 1st February, Lady Bagot’s Drive, Rhewl, North Wales. Further details in due course.

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Today both groups of walkers set off from the Ship Inn at Haskayne to complete the last walks of 2017. We were expecting very bad weather so were all suitably attired in heavy boots and waterproofs, but our fears were not met and we all completed a good walk and remained dry, if a little windswept! The long walk, led by Alan Carr, took a route from Haskyne through to Halsall and Downholland using some very muddy fields, tracks, roads and canal footpaths and was a little over 9 miles in length. We set a good pace and completed the route in just over 3 hours. The shorter walk, led by Judith Jones, took a different route along the canal towpath, and then joined the same route as the other walk, across fields and climbing the 7 or so stiles near the end of the route. They were pleased to have achieved a walk of just over 6 miles which is slightly longer than their usual meander. Continue reading →

The next walks will take place on Thursday 7th December leaving from the Ship Inn at Haskayne at 10:15. Please note there is a bus strike on that day so walkers will need to use their own transport. If anyone has difficulty getting to the start point please see walking group leaders at coffee morning on Tuesday as lifts may be available.

The short walk is 5 miles and will follow the canal towpath, good footpaths and quiet lanes, before returning to the Ship Inn for lunch.

The longer walk is 8 miles, starting at Haskayne, walking through Barton Nature Reserve to Halsall where we will then pick up the short walk route to return to the Ship. There are a number of stiles on this walk.

Conditions underfoot on both walks are generally good, but in view of the time of year good stout footwear is essential. Please arrive by 10am to start the walks at 10:15.

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14 members of the walking group set out from Burscough village yesterday for a 6 mile meander around the local countryside led by Sue Daniels. The day was bright and dry, if not sunny, but recent rain had made some of the paths extremely boggy. Starting at the canal we travelled part of the route already undertaken by the canal walking group, but then left the water to walk across local fields, paths, byways and highways. As the group was mixed, with both long and short walkers (that is the  distance people usually walk not vertically challenged people !) we had a couple of stops, where some of the group took the opportunity to sneak a quick coffee, or in some cases something a little stronger (purely to warm extremities I was assured!) Continue reading →