Due to the ongoing cost of fuel the group took a train to the Wirral yesterday to undertake a lovely 8 mile walk from Spital to Hooton. Leaving the station we entered Dibbinsdale Nature reserve an area that many of us had not been to before even though it’s relatively local.Winding our way along the banks of the River Dibbin we saw a variety of meadows, woodland and reed beds and were lucky to hear a Woodpecker sounding out on nearby trees. The paths were well maintained and for a change we had no mud issues! A little further on we came to Spital Dam the site of the old Bromborough Mill which was demolished in the 20th century. Passing through Otters Tunnel we came across St Patricks Well. This was ” imagined” to be the place where the saint arrived from Ireland in the 5th century. The water in the well is supposed to collect in the basin having passed through the sandstone rocks, although it only contained some dried leaves today. Leaving the reserve we stopped for a quick lunch break at a strategically placed wall. Paul did a little bit of acrobatic gymnastics at this point retrieving a rucksack containing someone’s lunch which had escaped over a six foot wall and landed on the edge of the fishing pond! Who knew a ramble could be so demanding? We then had a chat to a local who gave us a potted history of the beautiful thatched house across the road. Bought and developed last year it now stands empty much to the consternation of the locals who believe it is destined to be an Air BNB.
Walking on we entered Willaston Village and had ” house envy” at the beautiful houses we passed by, especially the gorgeous Windmill surrounded by a mature garden and an abundance of Azaleas and Wisteria. Reaching Hadlow Station we decided it was time for a snack break and settled in for coffee and cakes. Hadlow Road railway station is a Grade II listed heritage railway station and Museum on the Wirral Way footpath. The station permanently closed to passengers in 1956; however, it has been restored to have the look and feel of the time. It has an authentic ticket office, waiting room and telephone box. Formerly the museum was a working railway station on the single track Hooton to West Kirby branch of the Birkenhead Railway. Suitably refreshed we walked the final couple of miles down the Wirral Way to Hooton Station where we were delighted to find that the train which was just about to depart was held up for us as we clattered down the stairs at a pace! So a quick train journey and we were back in Maghull having had a great day out led by Paul and Carmel, who we thank for undertaking the recce and leading the walk.