Marple Bridge

 

October 28, 2015. 

Marple Bridge, Peak Forest Canal, Strines, Brook Bottom, Mellor 

Distance: 9 1\2 miles. 

Difficulty: Easy 

Weather: Wet, poor visibility. 

Walkers: Colin Davison, George Whaites, John Jones,  Gibby 

B walkers: unknown 

Apologies: Alan Hart (whimped out due to the rain), Tom Cunliffe (sore knee again), Peter Beal (visiting whores) 

Leader: Jones. Diarist: Jones 

Starting point: Brabyns Park 

Starting time: 9.20am. Finishing time: 2.20pm. 

 

 

 

Today's Wednesday Wanderers' walk began at Marple Bridge under a wet, oppressive sky. Our route was to take us tGibbyo the Mellor Arms and the Norfolk in order to meet up with a faux- leather clad Hart..Only four braved the elements today;... You Wusses ! These being George, Colin , Mark and myself, John... The route took us down to the Goyt bridge where we crossed over the road and soon we turned right onto Low Lea road. Nearing the "roman Lakes" we had a short history lesson from Colin with regards to a muddy pile of stone and hollows , (which he assured us was a mill incorperating a 120 HP, mid shot , water wheel . After which we reluctantly dragged ourselves away and took the next right, over the Goyt ,railway and Strines Road leading onto The Peak Forest Canal. After one mile in a southerly direction we took a left at an underbridge down to Strines Centre crossing over the road and past the mill pond and dove cote there. We swiftly strolled++ onwards under the railway bridge and up a delightful woodland track which brought us out at Brook bottom. There , Colin found a smoking shelter at the Fox for our lunch. The blowsy, landlady came and went and so did we..... taking a right turn for fifty metres or so before  a left up again joining an unmetalled , rocky track and golf course. taking the first left (330') to  a farm,(which welcomed careful walkers) past a slurry pit and a few muddy bits soon got us to Castle Edge farm where the road gave us respite from the muddier conditions."enjoying " The stunning Kinder views Left down a track @ 270 '  we passed Black lane and continued on Primrose Lane down to Birchenough Farm. taking a left by silage bales , past horses and two single storey stone buildings then  brought us to a hidden, much- overgrown track at 290' , which Colin assured me he had single-handedly kept open despite threatening behaviour by the house owners !.. I just wish he had done more of it .. Across a stile or two , now downhill and onto Gibbon Lane where Colin advised that we take a right to the mellor Arms,(which we did,) and there enjoyed a fair pint of Robbies bought by Birthday Boy George and chips from Mark.. 

 

Donning wet weather gear once more, we exited the front door and turned left to follow the adjacent footpath to Mellor Church where we examined the exposed trench of the Iron Age hill fort and the Masonic inscriptions on the church. 

 

 Taking the steps we descended to the farm below which we passed on our left and crossed the field behind. In the far corner we went through a gate, kept the wall on our left and reached Townscliffe farm. Continuing straight ahead, the road lead through houses to Mellor Road where we turned right into Marple Bridge and found are septuagenarian chum, Alan propping up the bar of the Norfolk Arms and trying to charm the teenage barmaid. 

 

Next week's walk will start from the car park behind the Co-op in Chapel en le Frith at 9.40am. We anticipate taking refreshment at the Wanted Inn, Sparrowpit, around 12.30pmbefore returning to the Roebuck in Chapel at approximately 2.40pm