Sunday 17th March, The Two Crosses Circuit

The Two Crosses Circuit is an annual challenge event organised by the East Lancashire section of the LDWA. There is a choice of route, 17 miles or 25 miles in 9 hours. I’ve done both routes in recent years and was planning on doing the 25 miles route on this occasion. Bad weather on Saturday night convinced me that the 17 mile option was favourite this time round.
At 8am (the one in the morning) the 300 participants, a mix of runners and walkers, set off from the event centre in Tottington, near Bury – famous for Black Puddings. And a rather good market.

  Only the British can queue properly

This is primarily a walking event but in common with a lot of LDWA events it’s attracting more and more runners. Runners have a definite advantage in the early stages of this event – they get to the stiles well ahead of the rest of the field – and when there are 299 other participants….well I’m sure you can guess.
Any hopes of staying mud-free on this event were dashed after the first mile – the gloop was, er, very gloopy. And deep.
Our ‘team’, at this point, consisted of just Fast Pike and me.

  3 miles into the walk and there are still walkers BEHIND me!

 Gaining just a little height, and the snow is getting thicker.

 The West Pennine Moors are under threat too

Judith, who had also entered the event, had intended staying over at JJ Towers on the Saturday night so we could travel up to Tottington mob-handed, but she decided that my sense of humour was too much to bear and drove straight to the event on the Sunday morning. I didn’t spot her at the start but a few miles into the walk she caught me up….EVERYONE catches me up – and then they pass me.
Poor Judith had taken a tumble early on in the walk and was ever-so slightly mud-stained. In the interests of not embarrassing her I won’t mention this again. 
More gloop and snow followed until a gentle descent to Turton Tower (famous for Turtons….or Towers) and the first checkpoint…..and Jelly Babies! Our Norman was in charge and he ensured that walkers were dealt with efficiently before packing them off over a relatively good track that would eventually take us to the highlight of the route (for me!): John & Viv’s foodie checkpoint at Turton & Entwistle Reservoir. This checkpoint is a threat to all walkers – I’m sure some must have baled-out at this point, not because of the rest of the walk, but because the food and welcome are just so wonderful.

  Just some of the East Lancs Catering Corps offerings

I’m sure it wasn’t Judith, that mud-stained world-famous TGO Challenger, who was spotted gleefully demolishing a huge bowl of banana & custard, fruit salad and fruit jelly, whilst happily muttering something about being in party-food heaven. I’m equally sure that it wasn’t me who followed her example.
But it might have been.
It was here that our little party expanded in size yet again, taking on board a lady who’s partner had retired at the foodie checkpoint….some excuse about having a twisted knee. Yeah, yeah….
Dragging ourselves away from the checkpoint, we headed East (which is A Good Thing), passing the Strawbury Duck pub and the north end of Wayoh Reservoir before the climb up to Bull Hill. We didn’t need to climb too much before we were back on snowy ground once again:

Some of the local residents:
This little piggy found our party fascinating, following us as far as it could – until it came to a gate. I’m quite sure it would have followed us a lot further if it was able to.
The higher we climbed, the deeper it got:

Approaching Bull Hill

The next checkpoint of note, CP6 a.k.a. ‘The Naughty Corner’, is on the northern slopes of Bull Hill:

The Naughty Corner…with some of the refreshments on offer

Turning south (which the more observant of you will note, is NOT east) to cross Holcombe Moor, an army firing range, the path became particularly sludgy and slippy. Staying upright wasn’t a problem, but trying to move at a decent speed certainly was. The ground was so gloopy that too much effort put in to making headway just resulted in feet sliding all over the place.
Peel Tower, above the town of Ramsbottom, must have had castors installed – it just didn’t seem to be getting any closer.

Clouds gathering over Peel Tower

Eventually we did get to the tower and we could just about make out the end of our walk, about 4km away as the crow flies:

Manchester in the distance

Unfortunately we weren’t crows…and we still had the treacherously steep descent through Redisher Woods to contend with. Redisher Woods is famous for muddying bums – and today it lived up to it’s reputation.

 The already muddy Judith starts to descend through Redisher Woods

Fast Pike, just ahead of muddied Judith, takes to her bum to descend the slippy slope.

I won’t mention the fact that Judith slid down the muddy slope on her bum….for about 6 –7 feet. It wouldn’t be fair – and I wouldn’t want to embarrass her. Judging by some of the skid-marks on the slope, Judith’s slide was minor – one skid-mark was truly epic in length.
Having safely descended through the woods, we then had our only significant navigational faff of the event. This faff was anticipated, it was a repeat of last year’s faff. And the previous year…
It didn’t matter too much, we had one checkpoint to go and then it was a flat yomp of just a couple of miles to the end.
The last mile of the walk was on a disused railway line – nice and flat with a fairly good surface. We arrived back at the event centre just before 3pm – our finishing time was 6hrs 59mins, half-an-hour longer than last year. The main reason for this slower time was down to the appalling ground conditions, it was only 17 miles but the mud, slush and snow really slowed our pace.
A selection of excellent home-made soups were on offer at the centre – just the job! After eating too much and drinking too much tea, it was time for home.
£7 for a grand walk plus oodles of lovely food…and excellent company = pretty good value!

17 miles with around 2000ft of ascent.

More photos are here.

Tuesday 12th March, Timperley at 5.50pm

The ash tree in my back garden, lit by the setting sun:
Taken with my Lumix DMC-FS40.
By the time I’d grabbed the Lumix G3 – perhaps just 30 seconds later, the sun had gone and the moment had passed.

Monday 11th March, Mobberley – Peover circuit.

The famous local double act, the Blackshaws of Timperley, had planned a re-recce of a route that Steve and I previously walked last June. This was to be a bit different – we were to walk it t’other way round, just for the sake of variety.
We kicked off from St Wilfrid’s church at around 10.30am – it was more than a bit cold, the ground was frozen hard in places.  The forecast was for the temperature to remain around zero all day and for sporadic snow showers. That forecast was accurate, the first snow shower hit around half an hour into the walk:

 

Snow-battered bullrushes 

20 minutes later the sun was shining although it was still damned cold:

Peover Hall

At Peover Hall the sound of rumbling stomachs was enough to call a temporary halt to proceedings. We found a suitable spot for hot drinks and a bite to eat. It was Sods Law that, 5 minutes after sitting down to enjoy lunch we were enveloped in another wind-driven snowy squall. No matter, it just meant we spent less time sitting around and more time walking.

   A little bit of snow…again

20 minutes later, the sun started breaking through – after another 10 minutes I wished I’d put sunglasses in my pack:

 The Blackshaws of Timperley enjoying the rays

I’ve no idea what this building was used for, but it had a distinctive ‘WW2’ feel about it:

I’m not sure how many Peovers there are, Lower Peover, Over Peover, Peover Inferior, Peover Superior….oh, and Peover of course. However many there are, they all seem to be populated with the rather well-heeled of Cheshire.

   

Not very superior

The churchyard of St Oswald’s, in one of them-there Peovers, presented itself just in time for another lunch-break. Bits of the church date back to 1269 – so it’s pretty old.  Older than me even.

 

St Oswalds

Leaving this particular Peover something-or-other by a short stretch of tarmac we came across this rather sad victim of road traffic:

Frozen fields followed as we headed towards the outskirts of Knutsford:
  
Looking East (which is A Good Thing) afforded grand views of the snow-covered Peak District, The Matterhorn Shutlingsloe  was easily identifiable:

….well the views were good until another snowy squall appeared on the horizon:
Fortunately this squall did nothing other than obliterate the view for a short while - it dumped it's load of white stuff on someone else.
Half an hour later we were back at the car in Mobberley. We had walked around 16 miles with around 450ft of up. And down.
It had been a good day out.

This is where we went:

Confession time: this is the route Steve and I did in June 2012. It covers the same ground – it was just t’other way around….and I couldn’t be mithered doing a new map - ‘cos it’s late and I want my bed.
More photos here.

Saturday 9th March, Hare Hill Trespass

A very busy few days, down to family expansion, music & singing rehearsals and subsequent performances had severely limited my opportunities to get out. It was Sod’s Law that the first chance for stretch was on a cold, wet day.

Alderley Edge has been a sacred site since before Jesus was a lad. King Arthur and his knights are said to sleep somewhere beneath the sandstone cliffs – waiting to defend England in it’s hour of need. Wandering through the woodland that covers much of the red sandstone escarpment of the Edge it’s easy to imagine Arthur and his mates lurking underground, just waiting….
Parking the car in the NT Car Park on the Edge, we set off walking east (east is good) and gently downhill (gently downhill is even better than east!) leaving the Edge behind, I struggled to find some of the footpaths that were clear on the map but a bit vague on the ground. A consequence of these vague footpaths was that we missed the village of Mottram St Andrew, situated in the golden triangle of Prestbury, Alderley Edge and Wilmslow. No matter, it just meant that there was less tarmac to contend with.

By Pott Brook, close to Mottram St Andrew

Back on track, all was well until the footpath diversion at Hunter’s Pool Farm, but it was no big deal real – just a bit of an unwanted faff. Hare Hill (NT) was the next target. I knew there were concessionary paths in the area and I’d guessed that one track that entered Hare Hill from the east was one such. Wrong. It was a private drive – although the ‘Private Drive’ sign wasn’t visible until the trespassing had been done. Whoops.

The Village Pump

Not to worry, nobody noticed us. I don’t think. Entering the gardens we had a meander around, admiring the well kept gardens.

 

! walked as far as Pistol Pond (before you ask, I don’t know) where a coffee break was called. In the rain. I suppose it goes with the territory….you’re a walker from England…you just KNOW it’s going to rain. Anyway, we found a nice (wet) bench seat conveniently situated close to Pistol Pond and proceeded to get a wet bum whilst slurping hot coffee. So it wasn’t all bad.  I enjoyed the coffee too.

A very well-marked concessionary path took us back to the Edge and the car park. It was still raining. And it was getting cold.

Around 6 miles with 400’ (ish) ascent:

It was a short walk and the weather was crap, but it was still good to get out.

Thursday 7th March, Maddox – 8lb 6oz

JJ is now officially an old fart.
Maddox, born 4.18pm today.
We are a Grandad.

More photos here.

1st – 3rd March, Convivial Coniston Coppermines. Magic!

What’s all that about then?

Milly, who is Gill (it’s a long story) booked Coniston Coppermines Youth Hostel for an Outdoors Magic meet. I think a total of 28 turned out for the meet, 22 cosy hostellers and 6 cool campers.
An mid-afternoon departure from Timperley had me driving through Ambleside at around 5pm. The views across Windermere were stunning enough to make me stop the car for a few minutes to play with the camera:

I arrived at the hostel in good time to find….nobody in. Apart from Owen, Margaret and Jane who were doing their best to demolish the contents of a bottle of wine whilst sat in Jane’s rather nice motor-home. Other OMers had arrived but they’d toddled off for various pre-dinner walks. Within the hour they had all returned to the hostel and I went in to claim my bunk.
Ping pong curries for all had been brought up arranged by Maria – and the lovely lady plonked a huge plateful of the stuff in front of me.
I should point out that Maria is a TGO Challenge Virgin, TGOC2013 will be her first crossing. She’s made of the right stuff and is going to have a ball. Not that I’m jealous. Oh no, not me.
Hrmph.

Milly (L, in green) talking to Elaina a.k.a. Blethering Blonde

An evening of introductions, route planning, beers and perhaps one or two more beers followed. Outside, the sky was crystal-clear = perishing cold, I was glad I chosen not to camp.

 A slightly wobbly moon

I hit the sack at around midnight, leaving revellers downstairs. I wasn’t bothered by the noise from the dining room directly below me – I was too knackered.
Next morning dawned bright, clear & cold, and the plans made the previous evening were put into action – but not before Chewie had provided bacon butties for all who wanted them. That was pretty well everyone!

 A very frosty dawn, looking towards Coniston

 

Coniston Coppermines Youth Hostel

My Plan was to join the small (select!) group who were going up to Dow Crag and then over to Coniston Old Man. Our leader, Skip, had arranged to collect Paddy from Coniston and drive him over to Walna Scar. The rest of the party would walk over to meet them at the small car park. As if by magic, we approached the car park just as Skip’s car rolled up.

  ….and off we trot

This was to be a leisurely stroll – a good job really. Poor Taz was decidedly under-the-weather, but she’s made of stern stuff and a little dose of raging stomach bug and galloping wotsits wasn’t going to rob her of a good walk.

 Pete and a poorly Taz

 Walna Scar, the first ‘top’ of the day

A trundle up Dow Crag followed. I’m not the best on bouldery ascents and I was last to the top. It didn’t matter, the party was in no hurry. The views were good – but it was seriously cold on the tops.

Taz, Pete and Paddy on Dow Crag

Goats Water from the saddle between Dow Crag and Coniston O.M.

Lunch was taken close to the very busy summit of Coniston Old Man. It was a bit worrying to see ill-clad walkers on the top, it was freezing and there were areas of slippy compacted snow. I’m sure they give the local MRT business they’d rather not have.

The top of Coniston Old Man

A party on the top

Dropping off the top, Skip spotted a rather enticing gully – just waiting to be explored. So that’s just what we did. A delightful stream, bordered with juniper bushes – just out of reach of hungry sheep, provided our route down:
 
Somehow we managed to squeeze 5 walkers and a doggy into Skip’s already full car – even so, 15 minutes later we were all back at the hostel – drinking tea and putting the world to rights.

Around 8 miles with 2700’ of up:

Some trolled off to the Black Bull in Coniston for their evening meal and a few beers. Others stayed behind, me included – I’d brought my tea with me.

The common room had a solid-fuel stove, loads of solid fuel – firelighters too. But matches? Kindling? None! My Boy Scout heritage and cunning soon had the fire going. It was a bit rum though, the stove didn’t have any glass in the door. I think the YHA need to get their maintenance schedules up to speed.

 Pete & Milly in relaxation mode 

An evening of Jenga, rehydration, more Jenga, and good conversation followed. The results of the Jenga championships are classified…..all I will say is that I didn’t do too well!

Carrick, Chewie & Jamie 

It was good to meet Jamie for the first time, his Trekking Britain blog is excellent.

Next morning, a breakfast of Chewie’s bacon butties and gallons of tea set the group up for a much shorter walk. The plan was to walk from Yewdale, have a trundle around Tarn Hows and some of the little hills in the area.

Tarn Hows

 Jane, Sladey and Margaret

 

Lunch spot ahoy!

A chilly but sunny lunch spot was found and a pleasant half-hour was spent refuelling on butties, scones and Milly’s rather delicious sweeties. 

Apres lunch snooze 

 Black Crag

Some OMers needed to get off home, so after descending to the road from Black Crag the group split into two – one lot (me included) headed back to the car park at Yewdale, whilst t’others continued a little further.

 The parting of the ways

A pleasant diversion to Booths in Windermere for essential supplies of tea and cake in the company of Jane and Margaret brought my O.M. weekend to a close.

It was a grand do – and I’ll definitely be back.

Thanks to all who made the event so successful and enjoyable – especially Milly for making it happen, and Maria for supplying and making my tea on Friday!

More piccies here.