Shutlingsloe…not 16th May 2021

…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.

 

 

Blogger changes…not for the better

I’ve long suspected that Google is trying to dissuade use of their Blogging platform (limiting compatibility with the excellent LiveWriter, and subsequently Open LiveWriter), this announcement on Blogger has done nothing to change my mind:

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Hale – Knutsford Circular 30th April 2021

Kay, a regular with the After Eights walking group, was keen to do a slightly longer walk than the group usually do. She’d proved her mettle on a 10 mile Peak District walk some weeks earlier so I had no hesitation in suggesting this little bimble to her.

We left Hale at around 9am, it was bright and fresh (= cool), and joined the footpath heading east, that more or less followed the course of the R Bollin, under the M56, past the golf club, through Rossmill, and out almost as far as Castle Mill.

It was now getting rather warm – although we were moving at a fair old lick. Time to take a layer off.

Climbing out of the Bollin Valley, we followed a short stretch of tarmac to pick up more footpaths to eventually go under Manchester Airport’s Runway 2 via the rather magnificent River Bollin Culvert.

River Bollin Culvert, under Runway 2

For Helen H, aka 'Bat Lady'

 

One of the few planes seen that day

After a gawp at the tunnel, we wandered SW(ish) alongside the runway to eventually roll up around the back of Mobberley…where we we treated to hailstones and snow. Nice.

Waterproofs were quickly donned, and we were off – no time to linger. Well not for long anyway.

Crossing the Chester - Manchester line

A short stretch of tarmac took us, via a brief stop to say hello to friends Brian and Linda who live on this route, to a quiet and secluded entrance into Tatton Park. It’s one of those places that you’re unlikely to know where it is unless you know it’s there. If you know what I mean.

Kay posing by Tatton Mere

Prior to WW1 this area was cleared of trees to allow aircraft to take off and land. 

It was later used as a landing zone for No1 Parachute Training School in WW2

Tatton Deer

North through the park, initially following the eastern side of Tatton Mere, then to the No 1 Parachute Training School memorial….where we stopped for butties and a brew.

As I munched my butties, and Kay chomped on her ever-so healthy Rivita, we watched a plane come into land at Manchester Airport. Only the 5th or 6th plane we’d seen all day – testament to continuing Covid-19 travel restrictions.

Suitably fed and watered, we marched on, passing Tatton Hall and exiting the park by the Home Farm entrance (exit?) on the Tatton Mile. Which isn’t a mile at all.

Next came Rostherne, reached by following a Church Path, which is defined as  'A path, often crossing fields and designated as a customary right of way, leading or shortening the way to a parish church’.

There. Don’t tell me this blog isn’t educational. Even if the rest of the content is appalling. 

Kay and Rostherne's Village Pump

St Mary's Church, Rostherne

Another brief break, this time in the churchyard of Rostherne’s St Mary’s Church. The church is Grade 1 listed, and a church existed here as far back as 1188. So it’s a bit old.

Off again – Kay had ants in her pants and wanted to get moving.

Rostherne Mere

We followed the concessionary path around Rostherne Mere, which exists on the ground but doesn’t appear on the OS map. The path, not Rostherne Mere.

More tarmac followed, until we took to paths to take us back to the M56.

All was well until….

We weren’t going to let a little thing like a life-threateningly dangerous bridge put us off. Apart from anything else we were only a couple of miles from our cars, and we were damned if we were going to follow some airy-fairy footpath diversion….of which we saw no sign anyway.

We scrambled over the barrier, avoided falling into the river, and over the next barrier to safety.

 

A footbridge over the busy M56 (easy to see the effect of relaxing the Covid-19 lockdown) and more footpaths took us back into Hale and our cars.

‘Twas a good day out, I needed the exercise (I always need exercise), and Kay got her longer walk in: win – win!

Where we went:

Around 18 miles of Cheshire flat(ish)ness.

 

Styal – Ringway 12 mile circular 26th April 2021

My Plan (Ho-ho!) was to be out of the door for around 7.30am to do a 6 – 7 mile brisk walk before breakfast, leaving the rest of the day for important jobs. Like decorating. And gardening.

I closed my front door behind me at 9.20am, so much for plans. It was quite chilly, too chilly for the shorts & T shirt I was wearing. There was still a frost on the part of my lawn that was shaded from the sun. The chill encouraged me to get my finger out and get a move on.

Leaving Heald Green I left the busy main road and joined quiet footpaths – very quiet when you consider how close it is to dense housing.

South towards Handforth, I passed through Outwood Farm, it brought to mind something that might have been dreamt up by Professor Quatermass.

At Styal I called in to have a quick chat with my friend Caroline at her very excellent Primrose Cottage Nursery – if you need plants and stuff like that you’ll do no better than here. Caroline really knows her stuff.

Onwards to Quarry Bank Mill, a National Trust property -  and very popular. As the lockdown restrictions are easing this place is getting busy. I managed to avoid the crowds and continued south to The Carrs on the outskirts of Wilmslow, before turning west to Morley Green – home of the Morley Green Club  - and, er, rather excellent ceilidhs:

Just sayin'

Quarry Bank Mill

Bluebells

River Bollin

For Conrad

For Alan R

North(ish) now, to follow the eastern edge of Manchester Airport. Not much activity – Covid-19 travel restrictions and all that.

Ripe for redevelopment?

River Bollin....again.

Cheshire fencing. I've not seen it outside of the county.

Rubbish dumped on the edge of Styal Village - reported

Back into Styal village ….and just a couple of miles of the dreaded tarmac to home. Oh well.

Where I went: 12 miles of flat pleasantness.

My route ended up a bit longer than originally planned: Home > Heald Green > Styal > Quarry Bank (NT) > The Carrs, Wilmslow > Morley Green > Manchester Airport > Home.

I’d have brought butties if I’d known. 

(Disappointing photos c/o my otherwise half-decent Oppo 72 phone)