THE SANDSTONE TRAIL

DAY TWO
 The Shady Oak to Whitchurch
(18 miles)

Another gorgeous sunny morning as we travel down to The Shady Oak for a nine o'clock start.

Leaving the pub car park we waved a fond farewell to Mum & Dad and set off down the canal tow path back to Wharton's Lock. The morning was so clear and still, and with no main roads nearby also silent - bar the almost constant birdsong and occasional drone of a bumble bee. We can't believe this is the Easter Bank Holiday - two sunny days in a row ... when did that last happen?

From the lock we turned due south across lush green pasture, heading for the imposing Beeston Castle, perched on top of it's defensive crag. Although only a short distance, it took us way too long to reach the castle, stopping every few footsteps to take yet another photograph in the lovely morning light.
We passed the imposing entrance to the castle and bore right along the far wall to find ourselves in an open field, midway between two castles - Beeston and Peckforton.

A walk through lovely woodland below Peckforton Castle, flat at first, but soon heading upwards quite steeply, brought us to a wooden bench - a perfect spot for a short water stop. Then we were off again, continuing through the woods, then across a grassy field before another steep ascent into Bulkeley Woods.

Until this point in the day we had not met another soul, but this is obviously a popular spot for a Sunday stroll (maybe even more so an Easter Sunday stroll). Not being especially keen on screaming kids we pushed on, stopping only very briefly to take in the old tramline and the view from 'Name Rock' before heading downhill away from the bustle.
The respite did not last long (although in truth, there weren't that many people, really - it just seems like it after you have had the Trail to yourself for long stretches). As the ground rose steadily up to the summit of Rawhead, the highest point of the Sandstone Trail, we met more people and the 'crowds' were with us all along the elevated path until we dropped down again beyond Bicketon. Not surprising, really, as the views to the north and west were spectacular - well worth the effort of clambering up in flip-flops ...

After our lunch at Kitty's Stone the trail dropped down and continued southwards over gently rolling farmland. At one point we skirted the stables of Manor House Farm, owned by footballer Michael Owen of Liverpool and England fame.

It is easy to become complacent when walking such a well-marked trail - especially when getting towards the end of the day, and senses are not quite as sharp as they might be. At one point in the afternoon we knew we were headed for Old St Chad's Chapel, and could clearly see it across the field. As we reached the building, we thought it strange that there were no longer the tell-tale yellow Sandstone Trail disks tacked to fenceposts and stiles. Studying the map it became clear that our 'chapel' was in fact a church ... and was located in the opposite direction to the proper path. The chapel had been much closer, but shielded from view by a long line of poplar trees ...

Shortly after this small hiccup we reached starting point of the 'home stretch' - the Llangollen Canal at Willeymoor Lock. Unfortunately the long-awaited beer at the Willeymoor Lock Tavern proved to be a case of wishful thinking. Closed. On a Bank Holiday weekend with hundreds of narrowboats passing through the lock and an equal number of families (not to mention two hardened 'Sandstone Trailers') walking and cycling along the canal towpath. Closed. I ask you ....

We contented ourselves with an ice cream from the filling station at Grindley Brook Locks, sitting on a conveniently-placed bench, watching the frenetic activity of narrowboats shuffling up-and-down through the series of locks.
After a quick call to "the folks" with our estimated time-of-arrival, then we set off for the final mile-and-a-bit into Whitchurch. It was an easy end to the Trail walking along the wide, flat towpath ... and great fun to out-run the narrowboats, even at our relatively sedate walking pace.

The final walk through the town was a bit grim in places, but before we knew it we were at the end of the Trail in Jubilee Park. Our transport was waiting, but there was plenty of time to pose for photos at the sandstone arch that marked the end point of or walk.

And that was it .... The Sandstone Trail.
Two days walking. Glorious weather. Stunning panoramic views. A wonderful pub meal. Chocolate.

What more could anyone ask for ??