Brian (2nd L) at the 2018 Turkey Trot
The Christmas pud was still very present in our digestion when we assembled to remember Brian by running around muddy fields from the Old No3.
I was still krook so volunteered to help the main man lay the trail. JJ also had a mate, Martin, along so we had plenty to carry the sawdust.
It was an early start as the runners wanted to set off at 10ish, so we met and were off about 9.
The pub was located on the map and we set off along the road to find the path, only eventually to realise that that wasn’t the correcct pub and we had missed the path.
Scrubbing the trail out as we returned we set off down the path which was directly across from the pub.
We headed off across a muddy field and I thought that the hounds mayhave difficulty following trail until I realised that we had no real idea where we were headed. We circled about until we located the exit from the field and hoped the trail would be good enough.
Straight across another field to the boundary and the left, following the fence. We were headed towards the motorway as the furthest south.
The day was overcast but not unpleasant after the excess of rain that had plagued the previous days. However that had left an ankle deep layer of mud over all but the firmest surfaces and made to going pretty tough.
JJ and Martin were worried about being caught so trotted off, leaving me to follow as best I could. They hadn’t made much ground by the time we reached Reddy Lane as it emerged from the motorway bridge. Back on good going we headed back towards the canal before leaving the road right opposite Arthill Farm.
They raced off again and I followed filling in as I felt. Passing by a copse we crossed a field to enter as another. At least they did. By the time I got there 4 horses had galloped down and occupied the space between the entry and exit.
I had to detour into an adjacent field but was unable to get to the correct exit, but ducked through a fence and eventually regained the trail. Out onto Spode Green Lane and down to the A56. I kept the others in sight just about, but they disappeared as we crossed the road and took to the fields again at New Farm.
They took an unusual route through the first field, ignoring the footpath to take the open gate instead. I caught sight of them as we headed down towards the Swan with Two Nicks, just ahead across the fields.
Exiting the fields onto Park View we turned right and crossed the Bollin before heading straight on into Dunham Massey Park. We ran in front of the old hall almost to the far side, but then turned right to run parallel to Charcoal Road to exit the park at the top end.
A nip across the road and we entered the woods on the edge of the Dunham Forest Golf and Country Club. There we exhortations the stick to the right of way but these were not indicated so it wasn’t easy. JJ and Martin were somehow just ahead now, so as we did a lazy u-turn to exit the course and drop onto Oldfield Lane I caught them up.
Straight across the road we headed towards Dunham Town, turning right down School Lane past the Axe and Cleaver and joining the canal over the bridge. The Bridgewater was an unpleasant brown colour and we passed a good number of bemused walkers before we left the canal at Woodhouse Lane. We reloaded the trail bags here, and Martin set off putting trail down every few meters as we headed to Dunham Woodhouses.
At the sharp right corner we left the road on the left and headed past Woolstencroft Farm to Agden Bridge Farm. It was very muddy across here and I was keeping up with the joggers ok.
We rejoined the canal and headed back towards Dunham Massey but had to cross the canal. So went past the pub to use the tunnel at Little Bollington before returning to the pub along the other canal bank.
I recorded 9.5 miles but the runners made it about 8.5.
Greater Ruddock’s better half, Pauline was first on the scene, followed by Geof Walley with Aussie Daughter and Grandson. Slowly the others arrived and some partook of the small bath JJ had provided in the gents.
Shotgun was accompanied by Riley, Murray and Biker Eastwood walked with Doggie Burston and arrived back with Pres Park.
Riley was joined by his better half and we all enjoyed a meal and a beer or two.
Not many photos I’m afraid:
A rather miserable looking River Bollin
Martin & Paul heading back to the pub
For Alan R
Where the Hares went:
Thanks to Paul for his report, and to Martin for his help in laying trail.
Martin’s report, which includes rather more photographs, is here.
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