Beeston & Peckforton - 28th June 2007

Having shown Mark Dunnockshaw, he chose a place to visit which was Peckforton and Beeston.  We didn't actually visit the castles themselves.  Instead we did a circle walk around the two castles and across the fields.

It was a nice pleasant walk starting outside the gatehouse to Peckforton Castle, a fake castle.  I say that as it actually a hotel, it's not a real castle built for defence, unlike Beeston which dates back to the Middle Ages.

     

We walked up to the entrance to Beeston Castle, round the back and across the fields so had views to the castle on it's rocky outcrop and then back towards Peckforton Castle where we cut up and through the woodland that surrounds the castle and the hill range Peckforton Castle sits on, down back to the start of our walk.

Cheshire is a lovely place to explore.  I know this is just the tip of the iceberg of places to visit in Cheshire, but as a first year in a new place and to explore, really enjoyed this walk.

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Dunnockshaw Community Woodland - 18th June 2007

Dunnockshaw Community Woodland lies north of Rawtensall in the district of Rossendale.  I know the area well as up to this year (2007), I worked in Rossendale at the Groundwork doing the Walks for Health Project.  I conducted several walks around the Dunnockshaw area, so this was an opportunity to take Mark to a place he had never been before and show him the area.

We walked over to the Singing Ringing Tree just beyond the woodland, see the picture above, which is a sculpture part of several in the area.  The Tree is constructed of pipes and as the wind blows through the pipes, noise is generated.  I wouldn't say it sings, but some sort of weird tune is created.

Admittedly it a bit bleak up on the moors above Rawtenstall. But the woodland is a new project, where several thousand trees have been planted in areas across the moorland to expand and develop new woodland areas for the future.

We walked over to the Singing Ringing Tree just beyond the woodland, see the picture above, which is a sculpture part of several in the area.  The Tree is constructed of pipes and as the wind blows through the pipes, noise is generated.  I wouldn't say it sings, but some sort of weird tune is created.

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Crosby Beach - 4th June 2007

So this is my first time visiting Crosby Beach. Never been before.  Never needed to.  Mark suggested visiting as he had heard about the Anthony Gormley Statues along the beach.  Worth seeing as have never been.  Sort of strange seeing all these figures along the beach standing about doing nothing.  Waiting for the tide to come in.

 

   The Marine at Crosby Beach

Found a jellyfish on the beach which had been left behind when the tide went out.  Saw the radar station and a walk around the pool not far from the beach.  It was a nice place to visit and just mooch along the beach.

 

The figures are scattered all over the beach, all looking out to sea. Watching ships passing by towards Liverpool Docks or seagulls seeking out food.

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