A very interesting walk, taken at a relaxed pace, with many types of flower along the route.

Flowers found blooming on walk:

On way to Hob Hey Wood: Stitchwort, Variegated Dead Nettle (possibly naturalized garden escape), Dandelion, Bluebell, Garlic (early: warm bank), Cherry Plum ('false Blackthorn'), Lesser Celandine, one patch of Wood Anenome.
In Hob Hey Wood: Lesser Celandine, Wood Anenome, Wood Sorrel, Dog's Mercury, Wood Spurge, (Garlic and Bluebell leaves but no flowers), Hazel catkins.

After Hob Hey Wood, near River: Cherry Plum, Willow (unsure which species), Fruit trees in flower in Orchard, Blackthorn, Gorse, Greater Bittercress (538780), Speedwell, Tiny white flower,
Coming up from Bradley Orchard track to Bradley: A glorious Blackthorn (P), Garlic, Shining Cranesbill (Bradley)

Towards Frodsham Caves and later in walk: Gorse (P), Stalked Scurvygrass (the wee salt-loving flower at the edge of road, Shepherds Houses), Speedwell, Forget-me-not, and several flowers already seen. Interestingly, Snidley Moor woods and along Frodsham Edge had almost no flowers - and usually does not.

The next day, I went out to photograph some of the flowers in Hob Hey Wood that I had not on the actual walk (some included above). Plus Ground Ivy that I had noticed on the walk:

See Photo Gallery for fuller set of flowers and other photographs of the walk.

Instead of the circular walk planned, it was decided by the walkers to make it a linear walk, from Arnfield (Tintwistle) to Greenfield. A benefit of arriving by bus and train rather than car.

It was Tintwistle's Green Awards ceremony day, for which various awards are given for environmentally friendly activities during the year - at which we purchased sustenance for the walk in the form Rhubarb and Custard Cake.

We followed the Pennine Bridleway up to Swineshaw reservoir, but instead to turning towards Shireclough, continued north along the reservoir on a track that used to be a light railway to help transport materials for building the reservoirs. On the way, in the woods to the left, we heard a Cuckoo - first one this year?. Unusually, rails and iron sleepers are still there, mostly buried under accumulations of soil and grass, but occasionally they are visible.

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This turned east up a gradualslope to Irontongue Hill, then up towards Hoarstone Edge then Wimberry Moss to the Rocks. It was very dry walking, and some of the little trees (mainly Birch, but we also found a Rowan) seemed to be suffering. We were getting into the ground that had suffered a devastating moor fire a few years ago (probably from a portable barbeque!) and it was interesting to see how it was recovering. Some clumps of heather but mostly grass. A couple of Golden Plover peeep-ing on the moor. Continued along the Edge towards Alphin Pike.

The path and track down from Alphin Pike is horrible, with loose stones all over the place. But we eventually managed to get down to Greenfield. As a treat - and maybe to satisfy the MPC penchant for a meal following walks - we bought fish-n-chips and ate them on a seat waiting for buses home. The road was quiet owing to being closed up at a viaduct that is being repaired.

A great walk - even though a bit strenuous balancing on tussocks over the moor!

DESCRIPTION: A varied and interesting walk, through many different kinds of terrain, including river, bird life, views of industry, Frodsham marsh, Ship Canal, Frodsham Edge (sandstone), woods, dew ponds, paths across fields, bits of industrial archaeology, orchard, a small bit of road walking, with good views in most directions. Possibly Frodsham Caves.

At the end of this walk we plan to have a meal. See FFoW website for details of booking etc.