Tally-Ho! The Black Bull, Edgworth 4/12/2021

The weather was more than a bit dire.

Driving (crawling) around the M60 and then the A666 to eventually get to Edgworth, I was having serious thoughts about the wisdom of ‘running’ 8 miles in such cold, windy, sleety conditions. My car was buffeted more than once on the journey, I deliberately kept my speed down – visibility wasn’t brilliant.

Hon Pres Park was found sheltering in his car when I arrived in the car park of the Black Bull in Edgworth. We reported to the pub, ticked our names off the list, and away we went. Well away Joe went, I was 10 minutes behind him, a time difference maintained throughout the route.

My feet were soaked within a few minutes of running, it wasn’t that long before the rest of me was wet-through too, such were the conditions.

I teamed up with Mssrs Wells and Brown as we searched for in indication as to which direction we should be headed in a waterlogged field. We stuck together for the rest of the trail.

Trail was a little eratic, but it was initially relatively easy to follow from the pub – better than last time anyway. The route led through the Holcombe Moor Firing Range, thankfully bullets weren’t flying today – too wet probably.

Continuing eastwards and upwards I began to suspect that the sawdust trail was going to lead us up to Peel Tower, but at almost the last minute we turned north, along a good, if rather flooded track. 

We turned west and downhill (for a while anyway) along a river of a footpath. Me feet were so cold that I couldn’t feel my toes – good encouragement to keep moving.

Hon Pres Park’s distinctive bright running top could be seen bobbing up and down in the distance – a good clue for where we had to go next. Ish.

For Dawn and AlanR

We only spotted the two tractors after we'd missed trail, we shouldn't have gone that way at all. 

Eventually back at the pub, it was clear that the trail layers had decided that conditions were bad enough to have shortened the route, I think everyone was very grateful – including me.

In spite of running in a good waterproof jacket and hat, I was completeley wet through and a bit too cold. I sat in my car for 10 – 15 minutes with the heater on and drank a mug of hot coffee. As the feeling returned to my bits I legged it into the pub, the sleet was being driven hard by the hoolie of a gale.

A good and warming meal of steak pie & chips, followed by apple pie and custard, all washed down with a pint TT Landlord, really hit the spot.

Then, looking forward to hopefully better conditions in a fortnight, we all went home – some via another pub.

Not me: I went straight home and soaked in a hot bath. Bliss!

Where we went:

Around 6.5 miles, with around 950’ of up and down.

PS: You should go to the Black Bull, it’s really excellent: good beer, good food, and lovely people. Norralot to dislike.

Tintwistle Tally-Ho!

An unusually mild autumn day, 12degC and quite dry. Well it was dry at the start.

In the Beginning

I was really looking forward to this run, I was at last shaking off the after-effects of Covid-19, and my R lung was slowly starting to work, after surgery in May. All was going to plan…until 2 days before the run I managed to do a nasty to my back. Oh well….it would have to be a walk.

We had a guest runner out with us: Paul, aka Henry, aka Wodge. This was his second outing with The Club….he’s in danger of becoming a member.

The trail started from the very fine Bulls Head (great pies), although the sawdust was rather thin on the ground which caused a few runners to run around like headless chickens looking for trail. Nowt new there then.

Spot the trail!

Eventually small clumps of the stuff were spotted and off we jolly-well went, north-east(ish) out of the village, on the dreaded tarmac.

Trail was often difficult to spot, sometimes there were huge clumps of the stuff, the rest of the time it was sparse enough for many to lose trail altogether.

We turned south to cross the dam between Rhodeswood and Torside Reservoirs, and then uphill by Clough Edge, on a section of Pennine Way. 

It was here I stopped to chat to Tom, a backpacker, looking for somewhere to plant his tent for the night. 

We turned west, over Glossop Low, where I spied a lovely grassy, flat bit of ground with great views: a potential wild camp spot. I need to re-visit to check for water. A nearby well is indicated on the map.

Downhill by Blackshaw Clough, don’t go this way, it’s private <koff>, then onto a bit of tarmac.

Light was fading fast and it was beginning to drizzle. I was on my own, plus I couldn’t find the sawdust trail, so, paraphrasing Wainwright, I made my way down.

By the time I got back to the Bulls Head it was dark, I really should have carried a head torch, but I wasn’t anticipating being out so late – route finding had slowed me down considerably.

Mark T stood me a pint of Wainwright, and we all sat down to an excellent dinner of steak pie, chips & peas, followed by delicious syrup / treacle sponge and custard.

A lovely route, especially once we crossed the reservoir dam and got up high.

Where we went:

8.8 miles (probably) with 1400’ of ascent.

It took me 3½ hours which, considering the amount of faffing needed to find the route, I was quite pleased with.

At the end

More photos here

Tally-Ho! New Mills 25th Sept 2021

The weather had turned warm and humid for our outing from the golf club. JJ led the runners away from the golf course, north along the road for a short distance before turning left and then right up a drive.

The footpath is marked straight across the large pond, so we
skirted the pond and headed north west to a track. Then we took a brief detour up through some woods to Mellor Cross before dropping back down to the track as it joined Back Lane.

We then turned left down the track before gaining the green stuff again via a footpath on the right. A little later we swung left, heading across the Mellor and Towscliffe golf course.

This confused at least one runner who was sure that the path didn’t go that way and so headed off his own way.

Across the golf course and then turned right through a busy
Linnet Clough Scout Camp.

We headed through woodland up to cross Longhurst Lane and curve up to pass Mellor Church, high on the hill. Through the graveyard then north again across Hollywood Road and on to Brook Bottom.

From here we headed to Far Bradshaw and onto Upper Bradshaw Farm and Springbank Farm where we crossed Gun Road.

This was a gentle cure which continued to Ringstones Farm where we took a sharper right turn to reach Hollinsmoor Road.

A quick right then left saw us back on the green stuff, bypassing Hollins Farm and on our way to Briargrove Farm. Some members received abuse for crossing the garden here, although it is a right of way and signposted. We took to Briargrove Road for a short distance, then right out onto the fields again, across to Mellor Road. A right then a left to skirt Broadhurst Plantation crossing Pole Lane and onto Primrose lane. 

A sharp left then took us on the last leg before the finish, and we rejoined the outward course to gain the safety of the clubhouse.

The weather for the trail layers had started dull, with a sprinkling of rain, but had brightened up and by the finish it was warm and sunny, so after changing in the well appointed changing rooms (no shower), we purchased some refreshment and sat at the tables outside to await the arrival of the runners.

 

Wells: Trail-Layer Extraordinaire

 

 Sawdust Trail

 Paper Trail

Joe Park was accompanied by a guest of JJ, Paul who seemed to have enjoyed it all. Rick Riding, Des Winterbone and Tommy all arrived from various directions having followed the trail creatively and soon joined us at the table.

David Bell, Ian Jenks, Ian Brown, Mike Eastwood, Steve Murray, Rob McHarry, Andy Coatsworth and Shotgun all arrived in various states dependant on their level of effort. 

When all were back, and refreshed we went inside to sit at tables with tablecloths for our repast. Steak pie, chips and peas, or veggie option, was followed by a very good cheesecake, and money was politely collected.

The Trail of the Season award for last season, which consisted of three runs due to the pandemic, was awarded to  JJ, so any hopes of this years being the best were dashed.

Suitably refreshed and rested we then dispersed to find our way home.

Where we went:

8 miles with around 1200’ of ascent….according to the OS app

Words by Wells, Route by JJ, Trail Laying by Wells & JJ, pics by JJ.

Note that some of the photos are out of order....Blogger strikes again.

A Day Out in Lancashire, 2nd Nov 2019

It was a typical Lancashire autumn day as we gathered at the Royal Arms for our annual visit. Dull, grey and raining but not particularly cold. 

The hostelry had recently changed hands but there was little change evident with both fires blazing and the rooms dotted with dogs. We dragged ourselves reluctantly out to see what Ridings and JJ had produced for us.

They herded us across the road and down through the woods to the Upper Roddlesworth Reservoir and then headed along to the Lower Roddlesworth Reservoir. 

A brief trot through Roddlesworth Woods and then it was Rake Brook reservoir. This was the last of the water we saw in organised areas, from here on it was liberally spread over the paths we were trying to run on.

The drizzle was continuous as we approached the Hare and Hounds at Abbey Village. We were too wet and muddy to pop in for a quick one so carried on over the road and out onto the open moor. We circled an old quarry then headed southish through ankle deep paths. 

The going was pretty good and while the trail was a little sparse it kept us on our toes and all found their way round. We skirted the high moors here and eventually found our way to the road near Watson’s Farm.
There was a tricky right then left which a few briefly missed. The turn off the road was vague and then headed down what appeared to be a small stream to meet the River Roddlesworth and the main track.

While the trail had not been exactly flat so far, this was the start of the major climb. The path rose steadily through Tockholes No 3 Plantation and past Hollinshead Hall to reach the road at Thorny Bank Plantation.
We crossed the road then ran parallel to it until turning left to climb up onto the moors.  

Through the col between Cartridge Hill and White Hill then picking up the main track across Darwen Moor before veering left and heading for the Tower. A brief look at the view then continue along the ridge to drop down through the fields and back to Ryal Folds where the drizzle finally abated so that we could get changed in the car park.

A large group of runners had set out, Wells, Biker Eastwood, Skint Wilson, Lesser Ruddock, Leech and Potter. They had become separated during the run and finished one by one. Fast Taylor set of early due to lack of training and Greater Ruddock a little after him. 

First off were DingDong Bell and Old Markham who wisely chose to forgo the entire route and met us at the car park. Brown strode manfully taking photos of the participants and a shortcut to get back in good time. Murray and Riley set off a little later, and then Shotgun and McHarry. The latter
managed to overtake everyone on their way round.

Lastly Time Norman and his brother Chris set out. They were a little late and took their time, only arriving back late but safe.

We assembled in the room of the pub and sampled their excellent beer, revelling in the warmth and lack of rain. 

The meal was served promptly when we asked, and while the portions initially disappointed they proved to be adequate and very tasty. Lamb hotpot but much better than our usual fare. This was followed by an excellent apple crumble and all
DingDong Bell asked for was a tenner.

An excellent trail, meal and venue!

You can’t not like this video by Evie Hargreaves (you may have to download Vimeo to view)

Words (mostly) by Wells, other words and all pics by me. Apart from the video by Evie Hargreaves….thanks to my mate Cheryl for this.

Note that some of these photos were taken on a recce – when the sun was shining.