Dunno ‘bout you but I’m getting a bit fed up of this pandemic. Like most episodes in a film trilogy, Lockdown 3.0 has been the worst. Long, dreary, dark, cold, just an all-round shit show.
Two months into 2021 and the furthest I’ve travelled is to work, and believe me, nothing exciting or blogworthy happens there. Apart from all the idiot customers. Those who are incapable of concealing a nose behind a mask, or those who that saying “oh sorry!” means you can reach over a worker’s shoulder for some peas and magically not break the 2m rule. It’s ok! Covid respects manners and won’t infect those folk who are courteous but impatient!
I was put off early doors by the story of those two women who drove five miles from their homes into the Peak District and got fined by overzealous police officers. The fine was overturned, but still, it spooked me. That’s £200 I would rather put into my savings.
But recently I’ve been seeing people on Instagram quite clearly on days out nowhere near where they live. But that’s the attitude of the British isn’t it. The rules apply to everyone else but the thinker.
Well, I’m sick to death of walking around Winsford. So last week I drove nine miles from my house to Delamere Forest. Pre-Covid, I came here a lot for a run, or an angry walk, or a pensive stroll to clear my cluttered brain. Lockdown 3.0 has made me feel like a caged canary, desperate to fly away. I thought coming out to Delamere would let me stretch my wings just a little…
Firstly, Delamere Forest has four main car parks: the visitor centre, the nearby train station and the Whitefield car park are all pay and display. The Barnsbridge car park in the middle of the forest on the Sandstone Trail is free. But small. It’s been filling up noticeably quickly this past year as more and more of the furloughed visit the forest. NGL, I really miss having the trails mostly to myself.
There are loads of trails to follow in Delamere, whether you’re on two feet, four hooves or two wheels. Check the website for the official trails: https://www.forestryengland.uk/delamere-forest
I just like parking up, turning off the SatNav in my brain and aimlessly wandering.
Usually I come here alone, but I dragged along this girl Harriet, and headed north into the woods, along the Sandstone Trail.
Delamere means “forest of the lakes” and it’s a good name cos this is a forest of lakes. The boggy black water, pine trees and ferns give the place a Walking With Dinosaurs vibe.
Gloomy.
Soon, Harriet and I left the Sandstone Trail and took a more leafy, muddy trail.
Despite MUCH encouragement, Harriet decided NOT to slip and faceplant the sludge for the benefits of adding hilarity to my blog.
Not just content with walking, Harriet decided she fancied a climb.
All I could think of was potentially having to ring for an ambulance and explaining that, arguably, we weren’t in our local area… Thankfully, she scared herself and had to come down.
I’ve been coming to Delamere for years and almost every time I walk a different route. I’m sure there are still trails I’ve not yet trodden. I came across this lakeside spot and remembered I’d once had a small picnic here during a run. I’ve been looking to re-find this particular spot for ages.
Clearly I have not been the only one to use this area for a picnic. Humans really are disgusting animals.
We looped around on ourselves and were now heading south through the forest in the direction of Old Pale Hill.
We came across the Black Lake.
Fortunately we were not attacked by Dementors.
Just wondering… If you were faced with this fallen tree, would you climb over or duck under? Personally, I would have gone under, but Harriet chose over, so of course I had to go over to prove I wasn’t so old and decrepit at 28. And guess what? I hurt my knee. I’m a bloody old man.
Here’s Harriet showing off how flexible she isn’t.
Old Pale Hill is the highest point on the Sandstone Trail and lives in the southern section of Delamere Forest. If you’re coming to climb the hill, you’re best parking at the visitor centre. On the walk up you get a nice view of the forest.
At a measly 176 meters, it’s not challenging. It’s barely a hill. But seeing as the highest I’ve hiked this year has been the 13 steps up the stairs in my house, I felt pretty unfit walking up the Old Pale. I was glad to see the stone circle at the top.
On a clear day up here you can see seven British counties: Cheshire, Derbyshire, Lancashire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Flintshire and Denbighshire. Today, sadly, was not a clear day. It was a windy day.
Keen to not have our hairs ripped from our skulls, we descended and again went off the main trail. We walked through a dank and dark thicket of young trees.
I needed a pit stop so we headed to the brand new, eco-friendly visitor centre for a hot chocolate.
We were feeling hungry and we hadn’t packed a picnic cos apparently that’s illegal atm and Covid preys on picnickers. So it was time to head back to the car. I thought about skirting the huge reclaimed lake of Blakemere Moss – but you can’t come to Delamere and not visit it’s most famous resident: The Gruffalo!
Jeeez, the Gruffalo is taking social distancing incredibly seriously.
At the car, I checked my Strava to see where I’d been.
I’m still not entirely sure where that lakeside was…
After just a two hour ramble, my legs were aching. They’re just not used to inclined walking anymore – another reason I need this bloody Lockdown to end.
As a treat, Harriet and I headed to Hollies Farm Shop around the corner from the forest. Here, we were reminded of 2021 normality.
We definitely witnessed a middle aged couple split up and use the vastly shorter singles queue. They were the kind of couple who vote Brexit and look upon people like they’ve stepped in them.
We perused the delicious display of doughnuts and I bought myself a sausage roll.
It was my first bit of meat this year (I’ve gone pesci) and oh boy it was good. Delish.
Hooray! I’ve actually managed to write a travel blog in 2021!! Let’s hope the next one takes place somewhere a little further from home…
#VidOnTour 