Tamworth and Lichfield Group

Cadair Berwyn

In April a small group of Lichfield Ramblers made a two day expedition to Wales. They walked Vivod Mountain and Y Foel on Sunday and on Monday visited Pistyll Phaeadr waterfall before making the gruelling ascent of Cadair Berwyn. 

The view north from Ceirog Forest and the summit of Y Foel

 The base of the waterfall

 

                                                                                                                                                  The top of the waterfall.

 

 

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Lynn Lluncaws

 

 

 

                                                                                                            The way back to the cars

Rushton Spencer

On Sunday 3 April 2022, eight of the Group travelled the 40 miles or so to the village of Rushton Spencer, nestled within  pleasant hilly North Staffordshire countryside. Parking by the old railway station, we walked briefly along the track of the former Leek to Macclesfield line before crossing an overbridge and climbing a field uphill to St Lawrence’s churchyard   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After climbing a further few fields to Woodhouse Green Farm, we did a bit of steep road walking through sunny woodlands  

After we’d been walking for an hour or so, we took our break for morning coffee by the Bridestones, a Neolithic tomb over 4000 years old. 

After starting again, we walked along the Gritstone Trail through more woodland, with picturesque views over the Cheshire Plain  

before eventually reaching the steep uphill climb to the summit of Bosley Cloud, over 1100 feet above sea level.  By this time the weather had turned a bit colder and gloomier 

, so it was a bit chilly whilst we investigated the topograph on the summit. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Whilst descending from the summit we passed by an exotic animal park, with kangaroos, emus, rheas, peacocks and llamas .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There were still magnificent views on our descent. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before long we were back onto a woodland track again, walking along a pretty stream for about half a kilometre and crossing over by a footbridge  

After a long walk across a strangely shaped field with a large knoll near the corner, we were able to find a footbridge in the corner of the next field .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We then walked under a railway bridge which was in excellent condition considering the railway closed over 60 years ago 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Having carefully crossed a busy main road , we were faced with a hilly field leading up to a canal goit. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The canal goit diverts river water to Rudyard Lake in the valley below; walking beside it was quite leisurely in the sunshine, which had now returned.

daffodils were a conspicuous feature of the walk. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The last mile of the walk led us to yet another footbridge over a stream. )

After this walk of nine fairly arduous miles, we were pleased to see the Knot Inn and the old North Staffs Railway station at Rushton Spencer, which was built in 1844 and closed in 1960. It is now a private residence.