New Ideas for Walks in the Staffordshire Moorlands

...would probably include the following paths.

Wandering to pastures new, ideas of exploration and adventure.

One idea is that of the exploration of the railway that crosses over the Cheadle Road at Leekbrook, it looks as if it goes towards Ipstones and further afield than that, yet to the unknown it is a must to walk. It seems overgrown by bushes from what we saw on our mini exploration of the said bridge last week but until we find our way up there and explore we will not know what is behind the overgrowth.

Another idea is that of the Cheddleton Heath, we walked over the area a few months ago, the four of us, the family, exploring the grassy side and rambling through the few rocks that are between us and the Cheddleton Heath Road. We saw many a rabbit running and hiding in their little homes amongst the brambles and heathers, and many a buzzard would swoop overhead, but that area needs more exploring.

The weather seems dryer at the start of this week, ideal if the weather stays be until after the weekend because despite the crisp cool Autumness of the air at the moment, if it is dry then we can explore the above idyllic jaunts and take it from there.

Another idea of a walk is the nature reserve below Brough park leisure centre, we once turned one way and got to a dead end, well as dead as it can be unless you paddle across the Churnet, but there is another path that led off at one point that we have not yet explored, it would be nice to explore and see if it takes us to the Abbey, yes there once was an Abbey in Leek, it is a shame that it is no longer there, yet I would like to see any reminents and stone that has been left behind from what must have been a fine piece of architecture in its time.

The Abbey was known as ... Dieulacres Abbey

It has been a year...

Since we moved into the area, known to the local as Leek brook! A small hamlet of a few residential homes and 2 industrial business estates, a garage, car dealership, a shop, a farm and a public house, The Travellers Rest.

My first part time job was at The Travellers Rest public house before I became a Full time mum to our 3 year old daughter, during this time I have spent a lot of time exploring the countryside with our daughter and our 11 year old son in the past year when the weather has been exploring acceptable.

In the past year we have managed to discover quite a few little walks around Leek brook, we have even managed to find our way through the "The Heath" towards Cheddleton Heath, through rough and rocks and through woods, scaring away the rabbits. (The Heath is run away with 4 pawed little bob tailed creatures of the bugs bunny type).

We have never managed to find out way along the railway line that runs along the bridge above the Cheadle Road (A520). We managed to find a rough tread to the top of this bridge...

and this is the view we got...

behind where we stand is a railway track, we have yet to find another way up here, that will be easy for us as a family which consists of 2 adults, 2 children, ages 3 and 11 yrs.

The only idea i can think of is that it goes towards Ipstones, a route and a village we have yet to explore, lets hope Sunday is a dry day to go exploring, camera to hand!

In the photo you can see CMS (Central Medical Supplies), Crown Garage and the building that is the local newsagent/convenience store. I would like to know what once stood where CMS and the shop is now, the garage does look remarkably 1960s if not before but it is evident by the look of CMS and the local newsagent that these buildings have not been here more than 25 years in my guessing.

You probably wont believe this but...

I do not actually remember seeing a red toadstool/fungi type mushroom that has white spots, the type you find in Enid Blyton story books which have faeries in them, so when I was walking towards work, after dropping our daughter off on Monday, I could not believe that there, near the pavement, and creeping up the embankment, was a fair few of these fairy tale kind of fungi/toadstools...

Are you a resident of Leek or surrounding villages? To find these lovely works of Nature, walk down from Leek Golf club, as if you are heading towards Cheddleton, as you near the farm on the opposite side of the road, keep an eye on the embankment to your right, amongst the trees and foliage you will see largish kind of toadstools/fungi, there are quite a few of varied sizes and styles sitting amongst the twigs and brambles, as seen in the photos above!

my picture in the leek post and times 10th september 2008 wednesday

As mentioned.

my picture in the leek post and times 10th september 2008 wednesday
Originally uploaded by Angelix - Staffs moorlands

Somewhere Over The Rainbow

Somewhere over the rainbow

Way up high,

There's a land that I heard of

Once in a lullaby.

Somewhere over the rainbow

Skies are blue,

And the dreams that you dare to dream

Really do come true.

Someday I'll wish upon a star

And wake up where the clouds are far

Behind me.

Where troubles melt like lemon drops

Away above the chimney tops

That's where you'll find me.

Somewhere over the rainbow

Bluebirds fly.

Birds fly over the rainbow.

Why then, oh why can't I?

If happy little bluebirds fly

Beyond the rainbow

Why, oh why can't I?