HopGoblin Ceilidh, 1st November 2025

Supporting The Christie and The Seashell Trust:

HopGoblin and Ye Olde Vic Band again join forces as HopGoblin Big Band for a spooky ceilidh, so get your Spooky Hallowe'en Glad-Rags on for an evening of dance and fun at New Mills Town Hall on Saturday 1st November, 7.30pm - 11pm, doors open at 7pm.

FANCY DRESS! Bring your own drinks & picnic.

Profits will be donated equally between The Christie https://www.christie.nhs.uk/ , and The Seashell Trust https://www.seashelltrust.org.uk/

Tickets from https://wegottickets.com/event/669624

Everyone takes part at their own risk.

 

HopGoblin at Topaz, Saturday 15th Feb

Another of Rob's excellent videos, this time of HopGoblin playing at Topaz in Stretford on Saturday 15th February.

 

GM Ringway, Stage 6

In the beginning.....

From the Greater Manchester Ringway website:

The GM Ringway is Greater Manchester’s walking trail.

"Designed around existing footpaths, parks and waterways, the GM Ringway connects residents and visitors with the city-region’s rich natural and cultural heritage. Green in every way, all 20 stages of the 200-mile (322-km) route are easily accessed by public transport."

This route has been on my 'to-do' list for a while, but it was a post on Ultreia Mancunia that finally kicked me into action. I joined two members, Andrew and Sue, on Stage 6, Strines to Marple. 

My plan to meet Andrew and Sue at Strines station was sabotaged by Northern Trains, who once again lived up to expectations by cancelling my train - with 15 minutes notice. I legged it back home and leapt into my car, getting to Strines at 10am, as arranged.

I was quite familiar with much of the route, Cheshire Tally-Ho! Hare & Hounds cross country running club can sometimes be seen running around, apparently aimlessly, as they attempt to follow a trail of clumps of sawdust that should direct them to a pub with a tin bath filled with mucky, soapy water.

We set off, uphill, to Brookbottom (there seem to be an awful lot of bottoms in this area), following the green and white signs, then on to Mellor Cross for a photo shoot.

 

 

 (No idea why this won't centre align, take it up with Google / Blogger)

We had nice views over to Kinder as we walked east along the muddy (in parts) Black Lane, before eventually turning north along Pole Lane and Shiloh Lane. These are green lanes / tracks, rather than 'country lanes' - I wouldn't want to drive along them!

 Mellor Church was next, soon followed by a pub stop in Mellor itself. I don't drink beer whilst out walking, a pint of tap water suited me perfectly.

Then on through Linnet Clough scout camp, and descending to Bottom's Hall (another bottom).

South through the un-Roman Roman Lakes, and then following the R Goyt as far as Strawberry Hill...where we climbed up hill. Although not up Strawberry Hill. 

North along the Peak Forest Canal tow-path, which, after a bit of jiggery-pokery, took us to Marple railway station, and a train back to Strines - a linear distance of about 2 miles. We'd walked a little over 8 miles, with around 1000ft of ascent.

Thanks to Andrew and Sue for allowing me to tag along, they were great company - and even laughed at my joke.....although perhaps they were just being polite ;-)

I now need to catch up with them, starting with Stage 1, St Peter's Square in Manchester, to Sale Water Park.

 Where we went:

 8.3 miles, 1000ft(ish) of ascent

 

 

 

Lyme Park to Buxton, 18th July 2024

 

A text message from my mate Vinny suggested we might go for a bit of a walk, he quite fancied Lyme Park to Buxton. It promised to be a nice day, so why not?

Vinny was transport manager for the day, he picked me up in his latest car, a rather cute and surprisingly spacious Fiat 500 – one of the new ones, not a Topolino.

Our plans for a coffee in Lyme Park’s café were thwarted, the place was closed. Oh well. A quick scan of my map that was flapping in the breeze gave us half an idea of a route – up to Bowstones, and turn right.

 

 GB3MN, and others

 

 

 A shorn sheep, Windgather Rocks in the background.

There was a bit of a haze, but we still enjoyed lovely views from the ridge – Jodrell Bank, an enormous A380 landing at Manchester Airport, White Nancy etc.

 

We hit some tarmac to pass Jenkin Chapel, and then the slog up to Pym Chair where we stopped for a butty and a brew – well I had a butty and a brew, Vinny hadn’t brought anything, he refused my offer of food and drink.

We headed south over Cats Tor and Shining Tor, and then called in to the Cat & Fiddle for a cuppa….no luck. The place was open but didn’t serve tea or coffee. Neither of us wanted an alcholic drink, it really was far to warm for that.

 

Shining Tor trig point

Turning left off the main road, at the sign to Derbyshire Bridge, we followed the yellow road for a mile or so, and continued ahead on the very wide and uncomfortably very stony track that eventually delivered us to the outskirts of Buxton.

 

Buxton’s Pavillion was busy, it was the Buxton Fringe Festival – there was lots going on. I spotted the familiar face of morris dancing Linda, not in kit, but just soaking up the lovely atmosphere – she has a place in Buxton.

Linda

Next stop was Greggs for a fast cuppa, and a bite to eat for Vinny – he must have been ravenous!

We made it to Buxton train station with minutes to spare for our train to Disley, where we still had a couple of miles to walk to get to the car in Lyme Park’s car park.

The Cage, Lyme Park

It was a good day out – thanks to Vinny for suggesting it, and being such good company!

A word of warning for those using apps such as Trainline.

Trainline’s fare from Buxton to Disley was £3.60, buying it at the station it was £9.20.

At the station I tried to order tickets online but I couldn’t – such tickets and prices were only available up to 10 minutes prior to departure.

Where we went, around 16 miles / 2,200' ascent.