Favourite routes.

My favourite walk I do is a circular from Martin Mere WWT.
This is a great place and its ideal as my hubby is disabled and needs a mobility scooter to get around. I set up his scooter and he spends 3-4 hours around the reserve with everything he needs to hand and I set off to do my own thing.

I head out of the car park along the track and come out on Marsh Moss Lane. Then its a short walk along a reasonably quiet road to cross the railway line at New Road station and carry on to reach the Leeds Liverpool canal at a pub called The Farmers Arms.
I then turn left to head for Burscough and come off the canal to call at Subway for a coffee and a roll for my lunch later. I head back onto the canal and carry on pajst the Top Locks and the start of the Rufford Link of the canal. I walk past them to The Ring O'Bells inn for a pint if its hot, I usually eat my sub roll on the way back as I don't usually carry on much further. Then its a case of retracing my steps back the same way.
The walk looks completely different in reverse as you see things you missed first time. I am getting to know some of the canal residents now and stop to pass the time of day with a couple. I love boats and dream of One day living onboard a narrowboat.

There is lots of wildlife on the canal and its a wonderful way to pass the day. I also love to see the odd names people have called their boats. Some weird and wonderfully inventive names.

There is another walk I do, which is similar as far as the Top Locks, where I actually turn left and walk along the Rufford stretch as far as the St Mary's marina at Rufford. They have a wonderful cafe called the Bistro and their cakes are AMAZING and massive.

It is a must do to stop here. I then carry on away from the canal and head onto the main A59 heading back to the Hesketh Arms pub and turn right to walk down the country lanes and throught the fields along Curlew Lane and back to Martin mere.

The first walk is 4 miles in each direction, obviously making a round trip of 8 miles or a bit over.

The second walk is a tiny bit further at 9 miles.

It is 1.5 miles from Martin Mere to the canal, 1 mile to Burscough and 3/4 mile to Lathom locks and the same to Ring O'Bells.

I have met some wonderfully friendly people and helped a few out with mooring or locks.

Its a wonderful walk.