Monday 20 February 2012

The Sandstone Trail.................................................................. and getting fit

There is a lovely 34 mile trail that follows the sandstone ridge north to south through my county... Cheshire.
I have a few books (a lot of books) showing manageable circular walks you can do taking in some of the Sandstone Trail in small sections averaging about 6 miles in length... ideal for a Sunday morning and finishing in time to enjoy a lovely pub lunch.

I have my favourite sections and they are all in the north... possibly because they are nearer to home.

I have walked them all more than once and have also walked half the trail one weekend then done the other half a few weeks later... friends dropping me off then picking me up by car.

These images were all taken at the end of August 2010.

The trail takes you legally through all sorts of crops... for as far back as I can remember this field at Fishersgreen was always full of cows...2010 was different.
One of the reasons I so enjoy walking and re-walking this trail throughout the seasons... there is always something new to see.

I have never done the whole 34 miles during one weekend.

I need to get fitter... I can walk on the level all day long but I think I actually walk too fast.
 I need to slow down a bit to walk further..

Uphill is a different matter...  I have a few goals I need (want) to accomplish in the Lake District this year.

We don't have many hills in Cheshire it's a gentle rolling countryside.. that has it's own beauty.
You never know what is around the corner..

Walking the Sandstone Trail a few times over the next few weeks will help build up my stamina.
There is a campsite (by a pub) around the halfway point and a few miles further on a wonderful hostelry with luxurious accommodation.
I have a little one man tent... at 2kg it's still a bit heavy (I used to have a bivvy bag weighing just 800gm)
I may try to get a lighter shelter before I go to the Lakes.

19 comments:

Unknown said...

That pub walks sounds good to me. Boomand Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

Bob Bushell said...

Beautiful landscape there. It must be truly wonderful to take a holiday, ah ah.

Scriptor Senex said...

I love the Sandstone Trail but haven't walked any of it for about twelve years. I think my favourite bit is right at the start from the North) down to Kelsall.

Brian King said...

That cornfield reminds me of home. I love the shot with the cows...that's gorgeous scenery! Great landscapes!

TexWisGirl said...

love the 'legally' thru the crops and the rural scenes! :)

Anonymous said...

I love these photos Andrew, thank you for taking us out hiking, it looks very inviting. Beautiful landscape.

Eva

Joop Zand said...

Nice landscape Andrew.....good shots.

greetings, Joop

Carole M. said...

your books like they're well used Andrew and what fun exploring the world around us. Interesting scenery and relatively easy walking in parts, until you want to conquer the grand hills and valleys below. I can imagine it is harder going carrying your sleeping quarters as well as food supplies and wet-weather gear just in case, plus your camera equipment. I might well imagine you need to slow down some! A lovely post.

John @ Beans and I on the Loose said...

I tend to walk too fast but to slow down seems to wear me down more. It's hard to explain. I can see walking those straight smooth routes and just getting lost in my thoughts only to snap out of it wondering "Where am I?"

Fábio Martins said...

It's a nice place to relax :)

Kathie Brown said...

Andrew, it all looks so lovely! Good for you! I have been trying to get out and walk more myself. All this sitting around at the computer keeps my mind fit, but not my heart or body! I cannot imagine trying to hike 34 miles in a whole weekend! Wow!

Oh, and what beautiful countryside! Wish I could come over there and go for a hike myself! Nice shots! And, I love the robin in your header! Stay warm and stay safe when you are out hiking!

BTW, do you have mosquitoes over there?

Sondra said...

I love hiking and backpacking too...Like you I need to build back up to doing a long hike or a mountain hike...Cheshire looks like a really lovely spot to hike the countryside is gorgeous!! My longest hike was a 5 day packpacking trip of 40 miles along the Appalachian Trail and it was very challenging for sure!!

spotted face said...

That scenery is awesome. Love the gentle slopes and the countryside.

Gillian Olson said...

Great scenery, it must be a great walk but maybe two days is too short to cover that distance.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

Very happy belated birthday Andrew, sounds like you had a great day with your family. We used to love Sunday morning walks when we lived in UK, and then a ploughmans and ale at the local pub..only in UK!!

Steve said...

Love the Sandstone Trail - I'm doing the whole stretch in the company of other nuts/enthuiasts in May...
helsbyrunningclub.org.uk/sandstone-intro.htm

Pantherka said...

Beautiful scenery, it would be a perfect holiday ...

Ruby said...

The landscape is wonderful. I love the grazing pic. Cheers!

Stewart M said...

Hi there - very interesting set of images.

I have spent more than a few nights in the Lakes in the summer just under the fly of a tent - if you can pitch the tent without the inner it’s a great light weight approach for just one night - and its it wee bit more roomy than a bivvy bag!

Cheers - Stewart M