…well not for everyone
Another little After Eights walk, led by Suzanne and one of her doggies.
The day was bright and clear, but with a promise of showers later in the day.
Our small group met up at Clough House car park, Wildboarclough, ready to leave at 9.30am.
I was pleasantly surprised to see Bridget at the car park, she was with a different walking group but we managed a quick chat before we went our separate ways.
We set off north, on tarmac, then to follow Clough Brook and around to Bottom-of-the –Oven.
Here disaster struck: one of the walkers, who professed that this was her first walk, had a little dog with her. We entered a field of sheep and lambs….the dog wasn’t on a lead – you can guess the rest.
I’d had surgery a few days before and was trying to take it easy, I dropped my pack and ran as fast as I could after the errant dog – who was only following her instincts.
The dog, “she’s never done that before”, was chasing a sheep and it’s two lambs, uphill and down dale….the poor things must have been terrified. I managed to catch the dog and return it to it’s owner – who then decided it would be a wise move for her to abandon the walk.
It was indeed wise.
We continued, minus one dog and one walker: following tracks into Macclesfield Forest, but not before a pleasant sit-down and tiffin share at Forest Chapel.
We passed the closed Leathers Smithy pub, then around the southern edges of Ridgegate Reservoir. We could see over to the layby on the north side of the reservoir, it was crammed with cars.
Shutlingsloe soon came into view, some took the easy climb to the top, others chose the lower route around the eastern side.
Then it started to rain, this is England after all, an English walk without rain well, it just wouldn’t be right.
The rain proved little more than a shower, an April Shower – in May. The weather *has* been rather unseasonable.
Crag Hall
A couple of girls stopped us, they were trying to find Three Shires Head by following a route description. They had no map or compass. They photographed my map, I hope they found their way.
We were soon back at the car park. We’d had a very pleasant stroll, marred only by the unwelcome doggy incident.
Where we went:
8½ miles with, according to Viewranger, 1400ft of ascent….I’m not sure about that though.
