Bickerton Hills – Bless 'Em

I don't walk so well now, especially up hill, so I was a bit apprehensive when Anne suggested that our Sunday afternoon dog walk should be re-located to Bickerton hills.

However, nothing ventured nothing gained so off we went and selected the walk that goes up from the little lane behind Bickerton church.

At the site of the duck pond is a small car space so we set off walking from there.

Now, we have been visiting these hills from our courting days and very good it was too. It was owned in those days by the war department who from time to time gave permission to Nantwich Motor Club to hold motorcycle scrambles there. The track was across sand holes and up the hill side via the Sandstone steps then turning to descend via a hairy route.

Now it is owned by National trust and no more scrambles.

Anyway, we set off up through the car park and onward up the hill. By now I am looking with some dismay at the upward slope of the path and thinking "Well, may get part way up and then stop". Anne and the dog can then complete the circuit themselves as I return downhill to the car.

So, I made it up the first slope and contemplated the second. This time it was up the steep stone steps of the old scramble track.

Aided by my stick I headed for the steps and began to climb. I got half way and sat down to regain my breath. Then onwards and upwards and was surprised that I reached the top. There were yet two more lifts to get to the top; so pausing again and saying that I will try another lift before returning down to the car. So steadily I climbed those two lifts and began to realise that I was getting close to the halfway mark which meant going all the way in the circle back to the car. Then the log seat came into view, so I took a rest and contemplated the Cheshire plain.

From there and since it was such a clear day we could see Hardern airfield where the wings of the Air Bus are made. We could see the Dee, The Wirrell, the Mersey, Liverpool cathedral and at our back was Maiden's Castle, an Iron Age fort with its two ramparts to protect the occupants. It is so obvious why they chose that spot to look out and guard against the raiding Picts from Wales. When I consider the work involved in building the earth ramparts I marvel. I don't think I would like to take the job on with a couple of JCBs and they did it with practically no steel and not much iron for their tools and, so far as I could tell, even the wheel barrow had not yet been invented.

Anyway, we were now as high as we could go, and I marvelled that I had once again reached this wonderful high perch as I had never expected to get there again. So onward down and round back to the car. I was tired but happy.

You may wonder why I found it so difficult to make such a walk, so I had better tell you. I have twice had open heart surgery to change a heart valve and the second one is wearing out. I did ask a doctor if it was a practical proposition to make a third valve change. He said "No, it is not advisable as the rest of you is knackered". So, what can you do but soldier on.

A couple of weeks later I drove Bill to the other part of the range of hills which are named after the Copper Mine and that trip brought back some pleasant memories. It is a typical courting spot and I must confess I did my share.

I'm not going to tell you everything, but I do enjoy thinking of some comical occurrences.

In those days my personal transport was on old green Morris Minor van. A most uncomfortable vehicle for the purpose, never the less it had to do...

There was at that time a guy who lived somewhere at the top of the hill a peeping Tom who always came knocking on the side of the van demanding a shilling as a parking fee. He always declined to clear off until a shilling was handed over.

On another occasion after switching off the van engine I detected a low buzzing sound. A check of the immediate area disclosed a squad of Territorial Soldiers on a weekend camp who were hiding in the ferns with a quietly buzzing generator in their camp.

It was all a long time ago, but I still remember, though if I tell you any more tales I shall get myself in a load of trouble, so I'll leave the rest to your imagination.

Bye Now

Geoff

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