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13 might be unlucky for some but not for the rambling group it seems. Setting off from Maghull to Parbold the weather looked decidedly grey and gloomy so we were expecting to have a wet walk. However at the start point the grey clouds had disappeared and the sun looked as if it was trying to make an appearance. After a short stretch on the Leeds Liverpool Canal we took to the fields and started a slow steady climb to higher ground and it wasn’t long before we stopped to pack jackets into rucksacks and donned sunglasses as the unanticipated summer day became evident. Continuing to climb we walked through the woods to reach our snack stop at Ashurst Beacon.  This beacon tower was built in 1798 by Sir William Ashurst. It was built as a watch tower to warn of a French invasion in the lead up to the Napoleonic War. It is said to be on the site of an earlier beacon that once formed part of a relay series of beacons. At 564ft high at one time there would have been good views from the beacon…however over time the trees have grown to a great height and now obscure the views. Snacks completed and with a fairly menacing black cloud overhead, we took the downward paths through the country park to reach a quiet lane. As every rambler knows what goes down must also go up, so we kept a slow steady pace up the country lane before taking a very overgrown footpath through the hedgerow and out on to the fields. Here the views were much better and we were able to see Winter Hill in one direction and the Welsh mountains in the other and were pleased that the black cloud had gone in the opposite direction, although it looked in the distance as if Wales was taking a battering! Continuing across rewilded fields we walked a short distance on the road towards Appley Bridge passing a warning sign about following sat navs…..and having walked down the narrowing rugged path could well see why it was unsurpassable for anything other than feet! From here we meandered along highways and byways  before reaching the canal once again. Stopping to admire the lovely brood of ducklings and just about a mile from the end point, our luck ran out and we were treated to a very sharp sudden downpour. But before long the sun was out again and we steamed off and continued back to Parbold and regrouped at the Wayfarer Inn for drinks and a late lunch. Thanks to Gill who did the recce with me and the intrepid rambling group who ignored the dire weather forecast!