18th February 2016: New Brighton (mod)

A lovely sunny crisp day - Jane volunteered to lead the ride with Tom, John, Trevor, Chris, Ken, Dave H, Charlie, Steve H, Keith, Dave & Liz P in tow.  A reasonable mix of country lanes, Wirral villages, seaside and local history - we went through Little Neston to Raby and the Lord Lever village of Thornton Hough. Passing by Brimstage Hall (built sometime between 1175 and 1350) we barrelled along Lever Causeway, with Jane giving Liz and Dave a run for their money with a sneaky turn onto the cycle path.  Past Birkenhead Priory, we made Woodside Ferry with a few guesses and unintended turns, only for Ken to have a puncture. But it was sunny with fantastic views of the Liverpool waterfront.

Photographs by Jane Marshall

 So on to New Brighton via 4 Bridges and Seacombe Ferry terminal to The Seaside Café tucking in to traditional and tasty fish, chips, mushy peas, bread and butter and a pot of tea (OK not everyone).  The usual mix of fantastic sea views and pesky sand and a head wind on the way to Meols.  We will have passed the site of the submerged forest off Dove Point, and the remains of a 1,000-year-old Viking longship under The Railway Pub.  A slight hiccup between Greasby and Irby, when Jane’s chain came off, we did some interesting wiggles on the way to Lower Heswall, giving the Wirral Way a wide birth because of half-term hazards of children and dogs, and on through Neston back to the start at Ness.  An enjoyable 35 miles.

JM