What a beautiful day it is today, the bright sunshine chasing away any 'blues' left from the winter months. Spring is really here, and I've been out with my little dog, Sam, celebrating it in all its glory! We are so fortunate here in Runcorn to have a well-cared for Nature Reserve. Set in the gorse and heather area of the old Runcorn Quarry, Runcorn Hill is a popular place for local people to walk their dogs or simply to wander through and enjoy the views and experience the historical connection to over 200 million years of archaeological history. The footprints of a dinosaur have been found embedded into the stone of the red sandstone quarry. In the photograph above the view takes in much of the nearby Mersey Estuary.
Last year, taking a rest for a while and enjoying simply being on 'The Hill'.
There are many woodland carvings to be found as you follow the various trails that have been created for the benefit of local walkers. This is one of the larger ones.
Light and shade mingle to create a magical effect as you follow the well-worn pathways, with the trees and undergrowth seen here in full leaf.
Even on a winter's day the sunshine maintains the beauty of all around you.
There are sheer cliff face to be found as a result of the quarrying that once took place here, giving work to many of the local people over the generations. Quarrying has taken place at this spot since the time of the Normans, ceasing around 1850, and there are many examples locally of the use of the red sandstone quarried from the hill. The stonemasons of Liverpool Cathedral used the stone in its construction, and stone was shipped as far afield as New York.
This picture is taken on the area known locally as 'The Cliff Top' because that's what it is, even though the cliff is within the boundary of the Nature Reserve.
A lizard carved into the sheer rock face forms part of the Nature Trail which is great to inspire children to explore further.
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