Thursday 10^th October found us at Redes Mere in Cheshire. Parking on the lay-by in Fanshawe Lane we were booted up and ready to go at 9.35am.  After passing the lake we crossed over a stile to our left and walked through fields and woods finally emerging near the north end of the lake by Redes Mere sailing club.  In the fields to our right were numerous Lapwings and a mixed flock of Canada and Greylag Geese.  After a few hundred yards we reached and crossed the A34 road and then took the footpath running towards Capesthorne Hall.  On the way to the hall we passed a fishing pond where the angler had a tent erected and was fishing from within the tent.  Obviously comfort is everything to the modern angler.  A little further on we came to a lake running alongside the hall and crossed by a lovely bridge.  Looking over the lake gave us good views of the 18^th century Jacobean hall and then we left it behind as we carried on to reach Mill Lane.  Here we turned to our right and crossed over a number of fields and small woods before finally coming to Astle.  This was the most northern part of today’s walk and taking a sharp left turn followed by another sharp left turn resulted in us now walking in a southerly direction towards Brook House Farm.  As the picture shows this must have been a rather wealthy farm with the building more resembling a manor house than a farm.  A quick stop for a group picture then it was on again to Congleton Lane.  At the lane we turned to our left and then after a few hundred yards we turned left again into Mill Lane.  On walking down the lane we reached the same part of the lane we had walked about one hour previously but we were now walking in the opposite direction.  Smooth and quiet country lanes make great walking but it was only a short distance before it was back into the fields as we made our way towards Blake House Farm.  After passing through the farm we turned down a small lane  and then a woodland pathway and then finally down another small lane called Nursery Lane before reaching the busy A34 road.  Walking along the A34 was not pleasant but it did lead us past Siddington Village Hall.  A diversion into the hall grounds led us past the Old Village School and to the bowling green owned by the Chelford and District Farmers Bowling Club.  Fortunately it was only a few more yards down the A34 road before we left it behind as we turned into Fanshawe lane and reached our cars.  It was now 12.30pm and the 6½ mile walk had taken us 3 hours.  A five minute drive down the A34 road brought us to Marton and the Davenport Arms where a good lunch finished off our day.

INDEX PAGE for the THURSDAY GROUP WALKS