Whaley Bridge

December 9, 2015.

WHALEY BRIDGE, DISUSED CROMFORD AND HIGH PEAK RAILWAY, SHALLCROSS INCLINE GREENWAY, MANCHESTER-BUXTON LINE, SPARK FARM, CHAPEL-EN-LE-FRITH GOLF COURSE, BRADSHAW HALL, LYDGATE FARM, HALL HILL FARM, PEAK FOREST TRAMWAY, THE OLD HALL AT WHITEHOUGH, PEAK FOREST TRAMWAY, BLACK BROOK, SILK HILL, THE COCK AT WHALEY BRIDGE

Distance: 7-8 miles.

Difficulty: Easy.

Weather: Dry with early sunshine but chilly wind.

Walkers: Peter Beal, Colin Davison, Lawrie Fairman, John Jones, Jock and Kieran Rooney with Tips, George Whaites.

SOB walkers: George Fraser, Tony Job and Geoff Spurrell.

Apologies: George Dearsley  (in Turkey), Mark Gibby (La Palma hols).

Leader: Fairman. Diarist: Hart. Photographer: Jones.

Starting point: Road outside The Cock at Whaley Bridge.

Starting time: 9.40am. Finishing time: 1.50pm.

After a last-minute change of route, five of our eight walkers were left with a feeling of déjà vu as we replicated a walk we had enjoyed on October 14. For that reason it is not your diarist’s intention to give the usual step-by-step account of our odyssey. The Wednesday Wanderers’ blogsite will provide sufficient information for anyone wishing to retrace our footsteps.

We were happy to welcome Kieran Rooney, an occasional guest who makes all-too-rare appearances, to our fold. Kieran is the elder son of Jock who shares his father’s facial features. His attempt to disguise this fact with a beard is doomed to failure for the obvious reason that Jock has adopted the same fashion statement. Alarmingly, although several inches taller, Kieran is also copying Jock’s shape.

There were two minor deviations from the October journey, when we decided to avoid the small loop round Tunstead Hall Farm (where we observed that one of the Houdini goats had returned), and to miss out Bugsworth Basin by crossing the A6 beforehand by a footbridge and turning right alongside a soccer pitch to reach Silk Hill.

The reason for the change of original plan was that it was pointed out The Swan at Kettleshulme only provided six seats for drinkers. Although it was a popular pub for summer visits when we could sit outside, it was deemed inappropriate for our needs in the winter.

The next choice of venue, The Shady Oak at Fernilee, was rejected for reasons not conveyed to your diarist. No doubt they were sound.

We enjoyed excellent pints of Marstons’ bitter for £2-80 at The Old Hall, although there was no sign of Daniel, the landlord. On our last visit he had told us how he was attempting the Iron Man challenge, which involved a double marathon, a 200-mile bike ride and several miles of swimming. Perhaps he has been lying down for a few days in a darkened room to recover.

Back in The Cock, where we were joined by our SOB team colleagues, we supped pints of Robbies’ bitter at £2-90 which was also in fine fettle.

Pictures by John Jones

Next week’s walk is the Christmas bonanza, starting at 9am at the home of Colin, 11, Carr Brow, High Lane. This involves bacon sandwiches, mince pies and mulled wine and may include a pole-dancing display by Angela.*

After a visit to The Fox at Brook Bottom at about 12.20pm, we finish our walk at The Dog and Partidge, High Lane, around 2.20pm with a Christmas carvery lunch for less than £8.

*Colin has offered to deputise if Angela cannot attend.

Happy wandering !