Tally-Ho! from Rainow, 21st Jan 2023

 

I arrived at the Robin Hood quite early for a gentle cross-country trot, as usual, following a trail of clumps of sawdust.

The weather was ideal for trail running: cool (okay, cold!) but bright – appearing even brighter because of the lying snow……you just can’t trust that lying snow.

I missed trail within the first couple of hundred yards (see the attached map of where I actually went), but soon got back on track. Losing trail is one of my strengths…..a gift you might say.

The trail led us north, by Rainow Low, and soon another opportunity was taken to lose trail.
A runner was catching me up, runners ALWAYS catch me up….and then pass me. The catcher-up was Vinnie, turbo mode.

We stuck together for a while, enjoying the lovely views whilst comparing notes.

Soon we came by Harrop Fold Farm which has great memories for me. My mate Crockett used to be the farm manager, he ran some excellent music and dance camping weekends here. Beer may also have been consumed. In quantity.

(Mostly) running NE in the direction of, but not as far as, Kettleshulme, we crossed Macclesfield Road, the B5470, before turning south and up Charles Hill and then followed almost a mile of lovely ridge.

Vinny was in camera mode – he does take some lovely photos.

All too soon we left the ridge to descend to Summer Close….was it here we came across the goat that thought it was a dog? I can’t remember. The goat was brought up with dogs and behaved like a playful puppy!

Losing height also meant we lost the sunshine, it became noticeably colder.

Around Crabtree Farm other runners appeared behind me, catching me up. It’s what other runners do.

Trail now headed west, along a bit of tarmac of Ewrin Lane, and into the setting sun.

We were now on final approach and descent to Rainow…..the ‘we’ was Eastwood and Wilson who caught me up on the Gin Clough track.

We rejoined Macclesfield Road for the last couple of hundred yards back to the Robin Hood, a nice hot shower, beer, and a nosh.

For Dawn and AlanR

It was a good day out: great route in good conditions, great company, and I even found most of the trail!

Then I called into the chippy on the way home.

Where we, well, where I went:

 

Just under 8 miles with around 1500’ of ascent.