Friday 11 May 2012

Bulkeley Hill and Rawhead...................................... along the Sandstone Trail

I decided to do a small section of the Sandstone Trail and stretch my legs after sitting on my backside for most of the previous afternoon.

Looking NW from the path up Bulkeley Hill.
Parking next to the candle factory I headed along the lane to pick up the trail.
It wasn't long before I was heading uphill and the views unfolded.

The Sandstone Trail follows the sandstone ridge that runs north to south through the centre of Cheshire.
Cheshire is a flat county apart from this ridge... even on a dull day the views were fantastic.

There are information boards at various points of interest throughout the entire 34 miles of the trail.

The view south towards Staffordshire.

Just before reaching Rawhead which is the highest point along the trail I came across this pigeon.
  My first thought was feral pigeon but he was miles from any urban area.

My second guess proved to be correct as he seemed quite calm in my presence I just needed to see a plastic ring on his leg... Yep!  Racing pigeon.

As the pigeon and I rested together on the ledge... I admired the view.

Farmland stretching for miles across the level Cheshire countryside making way for industry and the oil refinery at Ellesmere Port before crossing the River Mersey to the city of Liverpool.
A distance of over 25 miles.
 The largest building (centre right) is Liverpool Anglican Cathedral... it is the largest cathedral in the UK and the fifth largest in the world.

It was just a short stroll to reach the highest point on the walk and my goal for the day Rawhead.
The summit is only 745 ft in height...because of the level countryside all around the views are far reaching.
I headed back along the path retracing my steps.

Still resting... some may remember I had one in my garden last year... he stayed for 3 days!

It was a pleasant stroll back to the car park... but I felt I was being watched all the way?


28 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

totally enjoyed the beautiful countryside, the pigeon, the cat, but the cow took the prize! :)

Nancy said...

Beautiful, Andrew! Love the pidgeon... so pretty!

MadSnapper said...

awesome, spectacular views but i do have to give favorite of the day to the watcher at the end and the cat on the car. these are great. the pigeon is so sweet.

Revrunner said...

Wow! What a menagerie. :-)

Anonymous said...

Glad you are out hill walking to stretch. From the looks of the pictures, it was a great day to do so. Maybe the pigeon was there to make sure you made it up and down safely... you know,just in case you had to put a little note in the plastic ring and send him for help! ;)

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

Wonderful views indeed. Makes one feel they are standing on top of the world...Andrew's World.

Horst in Edmonton said...

That Pigeon must really be tired, either that or he is just waiting for the raptors to forget about him.

Bob Bushell said...

Racing pigeons always do that, go to sleep little bird. Excellent photos.

Amila Kanchana said...

Lovely countryside, beautiful!

Anonymous said...

Lovely photos...love the ones of the pigeon :)
Have a nice weekend!

Eva

Laura~Pretty Pix said...

Fantastic panoramas. Thanks for taking us along on your wonderful walk.

Aiketa said...

I loved reading about your stroll. The views are so beautiful! I love when grass is bright green!
I was last year in Liverpool and of course I visited the Cathedral, so it was so fun to see it from the distance.
Sure that Cathedral is huge!

I'm visiting from SkyWatch Friday. Here's My Sky.

Regards from Barcelona.

Adam Tilt said...

Looks like a great walk Andrew. Nice find with the Racing Pigeon as well.

Carole M. said...

Oh lovely leafy views in your intro photograph. Oh so GREEN! So the racing pigeon was just stopping by for a rest stop.

Tammy said...

You certainly visit some beautiful places! That second photo is just amazing!!

Spare Parts and Pics said...

Love the view from the ridge... the countryside looks so lush and green!

Stewart M said...

Hi there - that cat seems a little annoyed!

Nice set of pictures and descriptions.

Stewart M - Australia

ZielonaMila said...

Beautiful photographs and fantastic places. I am greeting

Magia da Inês said...

Bom fim de semana!

¸.•°`♥✿⊱╮
❤♡
BOM DOMINGO!!!

Beijinhos.
Brasil
°º °♫♫♪¸.•°`

CameraCruise said...

Beautiful photos from the lovely countryside.
Wish you a wonderful weekend.
Mette

laurak/ForestWalkArt :) said...

beautiful countryside & views!!
i wonder how far the pigeon had to travel...at least he/she picked a perfect spot to take a much needed rest!

and i love the cow!! mooooo!

Shaun said...

Loving the views from atop that hill. But the young bull is doing it for me Andrew
Cheers for sharing these spectacular photos

Shaun Valleys ShutterBug

Connie Smiley said...

You find such beautiful places to stretch your legs! Love those long vistas.

Susan said...

Beautiful, beautiful countryside. I love your photos!

Friend of HK said...

Love the beautiful English countryside!

Unknown said...

Awesome views!

The Glebe Blog said...

Now there's a coincidence. A former colleague of mine was nicknamed Rawky and he was a pigeon fancier. That might be one of his on Rawhead.

I hope it wasn't the worlds most expensive. Back in February this year, Hu Zhen Yu, the owner of a Chinese shipbuilding company, coughed up over £200,000 for a single bird. I remember Rawky spending £1,500 and thinking that was a lot of money for a bird.

Entertaining post.

Ruby said...

The views are stunning and refreshing. I love the pigeon shot with its eyes closed.Great post!!