A few of the youngish lambs seen in the fields between Malpas and Larkton Hill.
More youngsters in the fields between Larkton Hill and Old St Chad's Church.
Walk stats: Distance: 13.4 miles. Climb:861'.
Time: 6 hours 25 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.5 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.1 m.p.h.
Group: Martyn, Roger and Annie H.
A very select group today, just three of us, everyone seemed to be away. I suppose that from time to time that will happen as most of us are enjoying retirement.
Yet another almost perfect day for walking, plenty of sunshine and very little wind. I could have got a way with only one shirt, but as everyone knows, I like to change for lunch!
This isn't exactly the best section of the Sandstone Trail, but overall it was a very pleasant "stroll" through the Cheshire countryside with conditions underfoot being excellent (sections looked as though they could very muddy if you chose the wrong day!).
Not a lot worthy of photographing on this route, but it's always good see lambs and calves in the field, reminding us of how wonderful new born animals really are. Although I didn't see it Roger and Annie saw one lamb jump 20', it must have known it's getting late to be selected for the long jump for the 2012 Olympics!
The only other thing of note was as we approached Larkton Hill, we saw a very unusual bird, bigger than a kestrel, more like a large buzzard, but with peculiar wings and flight pattern. We came to the conclusion that it was a "black kite", the man made variety that many a young person has enjoyed flying!
As we had lunch on the slopes of Larkton Hill with at least 7 miles to go, a text came in from the Ravazzolos. It was good to see that they were out walking he Clwydians, Moel Arthur I presume!
Birds seen or heard today included: Greenfinch, Collared dove, Woodpigeon, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Rook, House sparrow, Blue tit, great tit, Common buzzard, Common pheasant, Common starling, Yellowhammer, European robin, Common blackbird, Great tit, Fieldfare, Greylag goose, Canada goose, Mallard, Great tit, Chaffinch and Pied wagtail.
We arrived back at the car, thankful that we had made it back in good time, and I for one had one knee that had been protesting every time we went over a stile in the last couple of miles!
I don't envy Roger standing up singing for for a few hours this evening.
After walk celebrations we enjoyed with an appropriate drink when we got home, our last experience in Malpas wasn't the best!
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