Whaley Bridge

WHALEY BRIDGE, TAXAL EDGE, WINDGATHER ROCKS, ERRWOOD RESERVOIR, FERNILEE

Distance: Nine and a half miles.

Difficulty: Easy

Weather: Cloudy, light rain at times

Walkers: Lawrie Fairman, George Dearsley, Jock Rooney and Tip

B Walker: Geoff Spurrell

Non Walkers: John Eckersley, Frank Dudley, Tony Job

Apologies: Peter Beal (on his boat), Alan Hart (router problems), Colin Davison (sailing), George Whaites (Spain)

Leader: Fairman   Diarist: Dearsley

Starting and Finishing Point: The Cock, Whaley Bridge

Starting Time: 9.28 am. Finishing Time: 2.16pm

Holidays and computer issues reduced our number but a pleasant day’s walking nevertheless ensued.

Leaving the car park of the Cock at Whaley Bridge we walked past the pub and took the path to the left which runs through a housing estate. Taking a path to the right, we passed a play area and eventually crossed the main road that leads out of Whaley Bridge and climbed the hill opposite.

 Our route then took us past the large graveyard adjacent to Taxal Church, where a group of men in orange jackets (probably on Community Payback) were gardening.

At the end of the steep path past the church (on our right) we turned left, past Glebe Farm and a few yards further on past the Rectory we took a path to the right marked “Kettleshulme via Taxal Edge.

The climb took us past a tree planted in 2001 in memory of rambler Terry Lardner (nothing on Google). It looked decidedly scrawny.

We reached a metalled road (Taxal Moor Road) at the side of a wood, turned left and then took a path on the right which leads to the top of the ridge. We reached the summit at 10.15am.

A minute later we felt the first few spots of rain.

Windgather Rocks were in the distance and we reached that high point at 10.31am.

A game band of rock climbers were practising.

The climb affords spectacular views of the Cheshire countryside but the overcast weather did not show it at its best and my photo below is from a previous Wednesday Wandering.

View over Cheshire

A few yards on from Windgather Rocks, we stopped at 10.35am for Pie Time in a natural shelter we have used before.

We set off again at 10.47am. and made our way to a metalled road which was in effect the continuation of The Street.

This took us to Errwood Reservoir. We crossed the reservoir and turned left, then left again.

Fernilee Reservoir was now on our left.

At this point we came across an elderly man on his knees by the side of the path who was ringing newly born sandpiper chicks.

He had about half a dozen in a bag tucked inside his jumper to keep them warm but brought them out for a photo opportunity.

Babies

Reaching the end of Fernilee Reservoir who should we bump into but B Walker Geoff Spurrell. He had started from the Cock and walked to Taxal Church, passed Madscar Farm to Fernilee.

Now a quartet, we made our way along the path with the reservoir to our left and at 12.28pm we reached the Shady Oak pub, where Marston’s bitter was £2.90.

We set off again at 1.26pm. But this time Mr Rooney and Mr Spurrell took the road while Mr Fairman and your diarist negotiated the fields. We crossed the road from the Shady Oak and took a path that initially led through a farm. We crossed a field and over a bridge with a fast flowing stream, reaching the Cock at Whaley Bridge at 2.16pm.

Already in situ were Mr Dudley, Mr Eckersley and Mr Job. Unicorn was £2.65 a pint.

Next week we celebrate Frank Dudley’s birthday.  It was Frank’s wish that we quaff some ale with him in Marple Bridge so we will meet in the car park at Brabyn’s Park (the one inside the park on the left as you come down the hill past Marple railway station). We will meet at 9.30am aiming for a half way point drink at the Hare and Hounds, Werneth Low and engaging in bonhomie later at the Royal Scot in Marple Bridge.