Blogtober 2022 : Day 18

Christine is holding up a bunch of oak leaves on a single stem to the light. The leaves are yellow, green and orange.A woodland pool next to a bank littered with leaves and acorns. The pool is partly blocked by branches Looking down a woodland path towards autumn-coloured trees. On the right are dark decorative stone pillarsA narrower view of the autumn coloured trees and stone pillarsA close up of a circular stone gate post next to a wrought iron decorative fenceA wooden bridge along a woodland pathThe path leads over a wooden bridge

Autumn is such a lovely time of year to walk with the dog.

We’re back in Sankey Valley park today, a bit further over than where I showed you photos of the swans the other day.  There are lots of paths that go around this area and into Bewsey Meadow over the canal; you can do a different loop every day if you want to.

The dog likes the pool.  He likes all the pools of water around here and usually wants to check them all out every time we walk here.  There are a couple that he’s not allowed in over the Summer months as they get a bit stagnant and green, and sometimes the brook is too full and fast-flowing but this pool is always a good one for him.

I like all the bridges and the footpaths that head off in different directions and there’s always something to see.   On another path, there’s a huge mound that I am sure houses a sleeping dragon and there’s the remains of an old air raid shelter under the trees.  Here, there are bridges that connect paths together; solid and wooden, giving your footsteps a heavy sound when you walk over them.

I never get tired of walking around this part of the Sankey Valley park.  It’s in the grounds of Bewsey Old Hall, a 13th Century building that you used to be able to take tours around with a local ranger but is now luxury apartments.  Every time I pass it, I do wonder if the people living there see the ghosts that the ranger said he used to see on a regular basis or whether any spirits moved out when the builders came along.

I’m grateful for the bright sunny days at the moment, showing off the leaves to their best advantage and encouraging me to be outside whilst the sun still has some warmth.  I’ll be needing my mittens soon enough!

 

 

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16 Responses

  1. Jean says:

    The iron railing and the round waist high stone towers are interesting. Were they marking the boundary of a building that is not there anymore?

    • winwickmum says:

      No, I don’t think so – I’m not sure if they’re intended to be a folly (something built with no real practical purpose, although that word does tend to refer to buildings rather than gatepost-like structures. I’ve never found out although I’d love to know! 🙂 xx

      • Corinne says:

        They look like bridge railings to me. Is there anything underneath?
        Your photos are gorgeous; they really show off the beauty of the season. xx

        • winwickmum says:

          Just an overflow ditch, I think, so you’re right, it is a small bridge but is still very grand compared to some of the other footpaths across ditches around here! 🙂 xx

  2. Simon says:

    Gosh it looks nice there! I imagine it’s pretty in the spring time too. Thanks for sharing!

  3. Charlotte says:

    You are very fortunate to have such lovely walking paths. I may need to try the split mitten pattern.

    • winwickmum says:

      We’re really lucky that there are so many paths within a short travelling distance! The mittens are so useful, I really wouldn’t be without mine now 🙂 xx

  4. Helen says:

    Oh so pretty. You are lucky to live in the green.

  5. Barbara says:

    You are living in a very pretty part of the countryside. Wonderful dog walking. B x

  6. Jacqui says:

    Thanks for all the lovely photos of Sankey Valley Park. I recognise all the places. I know the big rectangular area as the wildflower meadow and in spring it’s full of primroses. It was much better when you could walk right through at the other end and out onto the old camp road. The various ponds were useful for getting rid of the worst of the mud that my dogs managed to collect on our walks there. I also remember the park rangers being housed in Bewsey Old Hall and going on a guided tour. I’m glad the building wasn’t lost to decay but I’m not sure luxury flats were the best answer. The park is still a fantastic local asset and definitely responsible for the wide variety of wildlife in this part of the town.

    • winwickmum says:

      Yes, we went on the tour when the rangers lived at Bewsey Old Hall; it was really good and it was just going dark as we were leaving underneath the trees where hangings took place … it was a bit spooky! The meadow is beautiful in the Spring, isn’t it? I love the sea of yellow! 🙂 xx

  7. Ursula Uphof says:

    I love your beautiful photos…walking in nature appeals to me but we are into summer and very hot days so have to go out early xxx

    • winwickmum says:

      Ah, you’re obviously over the other side of the world to me! There is something about being out before the heat really strikes though, isn’t there? That’s another lovely time of the day 🙂 xx

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