Tuesday 29th May 2018. A low hill ramble over Bulkeley Hill 224m/30.2m and Raw Head 227.1m/148.4m from Higher Burwardsley, Cheshire. 10.2km, with 290m of ascent. 2hrs 55mins.

After meeting up in the car park of the candle factory in Higher Burwardsley with MH and SB, two long-standing friends from my working days, we set off south through lanes and fields on part of the Sandstone Trail (see at https://sandstonetrail.co.uk/) to the edge of Bulkeley Woods, a woodland owned and managed by the National Trust (see at https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/wood/?woodId=39191&woodName=bulkeley-hill). The dominant tree species are birch and oak. Bulkeley Hill is a fine example of what pleasure can be taken in walking on low hills, for these deciduous woods are verdantly beautiful.

After visiting the summit just off the trail, we continued on our way west over fields, climbing steeply up to the summit of Raw Head, at 227 metres the highest point on these charming hills. A break in the trees affords a fine view west across the Cheshire Plain to Wales, and a seat provides a good opportunity to rest in shade. This was my second time on the summit, first climbed by me on a grey cloudy day in October 1999. It was good to be there again in sunshine.

We looped round the southern flank of the hill, passing the deep coombe of Musket's Hole with its red sandstone crags, and back by shady tracks and lanes on the west side of Bulkeley Hill to our starting point.

And then to lunch at the Pheasant Inn.