Bosley Cloud

October 28, 2020.

BOSLEY, THE CLOUD, TIMBERSBROOK, WEATHERCOCK FARM, POOL BANK MILL, MACCLESFIELD CANAL, THE BULL'S HEAD AT CONGLETON, CONGLETON PARK, RIVER DANE WEIR, BUGLAWTON, MACCLESFIELD CANAL, THE HARRINGTON ARMS AT BOSLEY

Distance: 12 miles.

Difficulty: Moderate

Weather: Mainly dull with early sunny spells but dry apart from one prolonged shower.

Walkers: Tom Cunliffe with Daisy, Alan Hart, Chris Owen, Dean Taylor, George Whaites, Dave Willetts.

Alternative walkers: Colin Davison and Laurie Fairman.

Apologies: Mickey Barrett, Peter Beal, Alastair Cairns, Mark Gibby (self isolating), Hughie Hardiman, Andy Blease and Keith Welsh (both decorating), Howard Jones (medical appointment), Jock Rooney (with B team pals) 

Leader: Owen. Diarist: Hart.

Starting point: Lay-by opposite Harrington Arms at Bosley, Cheshire.

Starting time: 9.37am. Finishing time: 3.50pm.

 

Covid restrictions and a dull day reduced our numbers to six for this walk which led us through the scene of a recent tragedy and an historic market town. Persistent rain had been forecast to fall off and on throughout the day but we were only obliged to endure one hour-long shower.

We also climbed The Cloud, which at 1,125 feet is one of the highest hills on the border between Cheshire and Staffordshire. When we reached the summit the sun was shining and we had excellent panoramic views for miles in every direction.

From a lay-by opposite The Harrington Arms on the A523 at Bosley we headed towards Leek, crossing the road opposite the derelict Queens Arms and went through a metal kissing gate to follow a public footpath sign (2mins). This took us into fields which we reached and exited by two more metal kissing gates until we reached the remains of a factory.

Wood Treatment Ltd were the manufacturers of wood fibre and powder products. In July, 2015, many employees were injured and four were killed when at least three explosions rocked the area. The former mill was destroyed despite the arrival of 15 fire engines. One of the bodies was never recovered. The company was convicted of corporate manslaughter due to negligence. 

We walked over a road bridge across the River Dane (15mins) and continued along it before turning left at a junction (28mins) along another road. As we went right over a wooden stile (31mins) your diarist fell victim to a wobbly plank which sent him stumbling into a field. 

Only by grabbing a handful of vicious brambles was I able to avoid falling in the mud. My blood-stained notebook bears witness to my injuries and I was obliged to literally lick my wounds to prevent the gory flow. Needless to say, as I stifled my sobs, there was not a word of sympathy from my companions. I can only put their lack of concern down to my stoicism.

We crossed three other sets of stiles to reach a road (41mins) and turned left. By the roadside on our right were two fly agaric toadstools – so called because their distinctive red caps were used in days of yore to attract and poison flies. They are toxic to humans and should be treated as deadly poisonous. After passing a house on our right called Duke's Well we turned right at a wooden public footpath sign (49mins). Another signpost on our right (50mins) led us towards Cloud Summit which we climbed to reach (58mins) and pose for photos at the Trig Point.

For our descent we followed the Gritstone Trail markers, using them to direct us out of The Cloud nature reserve (83mins), going left down a flight of steep steps to reach a road and turn left (94mins). After passing Ivy Cottage on our right we turned right at a wooden public footpath sign to enter a picnic area for Pietime (96mins)

We were advised to look out for orange-tip butterflies, buff-tailed bumblebees and elephant hawkmoths. Fortunately none of these dangerous sounding predators were spotted.

Continuing we left the picnic area and turned right along a road, passing Weathercock Farm on our right, noting some rare breed poultry running freely in its impressive gardens. Beyond it we turned left at the GT signs (102mins) following a sign for Pool Bank Mill.

The GT markers continued to guide us through metal kissing gates, a wooden gate and two stone step stiles into a farmyard (120mins). Three more wooden stiles brought us to the Macclesfield Canal where we turned right with the canal on our left (127mins) and headed along the towpath towards Congleton.

At Bridge 72 we switched to the left bank and at Bridge 76 we changed back again (139mins). After crossing an aqueduct over the main road (144mins) we left the canal at Bridge 77, crossing it and climbing steps to reach a choice of paths (148mins). We chose the one which had a dog poo bin on the left, passing Lamberts Lane Farm on our left (153mins) and turning right along a gravel track (156mins)

This took us through some new houses under construction and at the end of the gravel path we bore slightly left to enter an existing housing estate (160mins). As we walked along Howey Lane we could see bunting in the town centre ahead and wondered how much trouble it had caused our leader Chris to arrange such a welcome.

Turning left into a pedestrianised shopping street we climbed uphill to the T-junction. Facing us was The Counting House, a Wetherspoons' establishment from which dogs are banned. To its right next door was The Bull's Head where we enjoyed pints of Bombardier for £2-50 (164mins)

Congleton has been populated since Neolithic times, with Stone and Bronze Age artefacts found in the town. It gained prominence after the Vikings destroyed nearby Davenport. William The Conqueror gave the whole of Cheshire to his nephew whom he named Earl of Chester.

Cogeltone, as it was called in The Domesday Book, was granted its first charter in 1272, enabling it to hold fairs and markets, elect a mayor and ale taster, and to behead known criminals. In 1451 when the River Dane flooded many buildings were destroyed. The river was diverted and the town was rebuilt on higher ground.

Congleton became notorious in the 1620s when bear-baiting and cock-fighting were popular sports. The town needed to replace its ageing bear and used money raised to buy a new bible to purchase a younger, more aggressive animal. It became known as Beartown. 

Congleton rugby team, dating back to 1860, is the third oldest in England.

Suitably refreshed we turned left out of the pub door and then headed right into Mill St (167mins). We crossed the large roundabout and turned left just before the Aldi supermarket (170mins). After passing a spectacular weir we turned left to cross a bridge over the Dane and entered the town's exceptionally well-tended park. We turned left towards Macclesfield and crossed a low fence (179mins) and turned left again to head towards The Cheshire Brewhouse (182mins), only to be told it was closed. 

Retracing our steps we continued to the end of Piverdane Road and crossed a footbridge on our right (186mins). This took us into a housing estate in the Buglawton suburb of Congleton. Opposite shops on our right we turned left along a public footpath which was tarmacked for its first few yards (189mins)

This led to a sports field. At the far end was a children's play area and to the right beyond the playground we exited by a wooden kissing gate leading into an estate where we turned right into Malhamdale Road (196mins). We followed this to the right then turned left into Harvey Road (198mins)and then turned left again up a public bridleway (200mins)

A flight of steps led us to the Macclesfield Canal (203mins) where we began the long journey back along a towpath to the left of the canal. After pausing for lunch just before Bridge 65 (206mins) we continued to Bridge 57 (269mins). NB: This would have taken some 20 minutes less but George got temporarily lost.

After exiting and crossing Bridge 57 we went over a footbridge (272mins) and the Dane appeared on our left. The path emerges to the left of a bridge over the river on our left, with the doomed wood treatment plant (280mins), now apparently owned by Stillagenet, on its far side.

We then retraced our earlier footsteps through fields and metal kissing gates to reach the main road opposite the Queens Arms at Bosley (294mins). Passing the Church of St Mary The Virgin, Bosley, on our left we made our way back to the cars (297mins)

Meanwhile the alternative walkers set off from Whaley Bridge towards Bugsworth Basin, bumping into their B team pals en route, and continued to Chapel-en-le-Frith, before returning via Eccles Pike, a distance in excess of 9 miles.

Next week's walk will start at 9.40am from Curbar Gap, near Calver, on the far side of Eyam and Stoney Middleton. To reach it go along the A623 through Calver. At The Bridge Inn on the left turn left and immediately right up Calver Lane. After two miles, following a sharp right hand bend there are parking spaces on the left of the road after 200 yards. Leader Tom will seek to find what hostelries might be open for a livener en route. The Bridge Inn will be open at the end.

Happy wandering !

River Dane Weir

A view from the summit overlooking Bosley Reservoir and Croker Hill

The climb to The Cloud summit

Wanderers at the summit - George, Dave, Chris, Tom with Daisy and Dean

Poisonous toadstools

 

 

 

 

Poynton

 

POYNTON SPORTS CLUB, POYNTON POOL, NORBURY BROOK, PARKGATE FARM, NORBURY HOLLOW, MIDDLEWOOD STATION, MACCLESFIELD CANAL, POOL HOUSE FARM, JACKSONS BRICKWORKS NATURE RESERVE, THE MIDDLEWOOD WAY, THE BOAR'S HEAD AT HIGHER POYNTON, COPPICE CAR PARK, COPPICE ALLOTMENTS, DAVENPORT GOLF CLUB, PRINCES INCLINE, POYNTON

Distance: 10 miles.

Difficulty: Easy.

Weather: Mainly dry with intermittent drizzle.

Walkers: Tom Cunliffe with Daisy, Alan Hart, Howard Jones, Chris Owen, Jock Rooney, Dean Taylor, Keith Welsh, George Whaites.

Special guest: Mark Gibby.

Alternative walkers: Colin Davison and Laurie Fairman.

Apologies: Mickey Barrett, Peter Beal, Andy Blease, Alastair Cairns, George Dearsley (in London), Julian Ross.

Leader: Hart. Diarist: Hart.

Starting point: Poynton Sports Club car park.

Starting time: 9.36am. Finishing time: 3.14pm

 

After the disappointment of last week's turnout due to uncertainty over the ever-changing Covid19 restrictions, we doubled our tally to eight for this week's walk. It is a matter of conjecture as to whether this could have been contributed to by the anticipated largesse to celebrate your diarist reaching three quarters of a century.

Regardless it was encouraging to see so many willing to combine exercise and companionship within the latest bewildering rules amid bewildering times. An added bonus was the brief attendance of Mark Gibby, who had driven to the car park to say Hello and wave us off from a social distance. It was great to see him and we wish him well in his battle against various medical problems which have prevented him from joining us these past eight months.

For many this was a new route, virtually skirting the boundaries of Poynton and its “suburbs”. Despite complaining about the pace, the steep flights of steps, and threatening to take a short cut back to his car, Tom later described it – as he always describes any hike from Poynton – as a “white handbag walk.” He will no doubt be thrilled to learn that there is another two-mile loop to the journey which was abandoned due to the forecast of imminent rain. This can be added for his benefit next time.

From the club car park we turned right along the main road in the direction of Hazel Grove, turning right into South Park Drive and turning immediately left to follow the public footpath alongside Poynton Pool (3mins). 

A flock of seagulls appeared to have taken up residence in addition to the normal occupants – mute swans, Canada geese, mallards, coots, moorhens, great crested grebes and, occasionally, cormorants. In recent times some other new inhabitants, iridescent green parakeets, have been seen and heard squawking in the surrounding trees.

With the lake on our right we walked to the car park at the far end (17 mins) and crossed Anglesey Drive to follow a public footpath next to the pillar box between the trees.

At the end was Towers Road where we turned right and then after 200 yards went left through a metal kissing gate (22mins) into a field. With a fence on our left we swung left to go through metal gates across the farmyard to continue along a lane between fields of cattle.

At a signpost (27mins) we turned left through a metal kissing gate across a field, exited to the right along a path crossing Norbury Brook, and immediately turned right into woods (34mins). At a signpost for Middlewood we turned right and reached Parkgate Farm. 

Beyond the new wigwam and showjumping arena on our left and stables on our right was a stile on the right marked with a yellow arrow. We took this steep path uphill, passing a traditional gipsy caravan on our right, gaily painted in reds and greens. 

This led us up to a field which we crossed speedily but carefully as we walked through cows and calves, trying not to separate them.

After going through a gate we turned left to cross a wooden stile marked with a yellow arrow (56mins). We followed the lane as it swung right and turned left just before a corrugated iron building (61mins). This took us past the ruins of farm buildings on our left and across a wooden stile marked with a yellow arrow leading into a field.

Heading across the field we had started to descend when we crossed a wooden stile leading into woods. This path emerged on Middlewood Road (70mins) which we crossed and went over a footbridge on the far side. We turned left and then right up a lane to enter the area known as Norbury Hollow.

On our left was a steep flight of steps leading to a footpath crossing of the Manchester-Buxton railway line. On the far side we went through a wood to emerge on The Middlewood Way (77mins), the former Macclesfield to Marple railway line.

Now a trail for horse riders, cyclists and hikers, we turned right for 150 yards, reaching Middlewood Station and turned left through a gap stile.

The trail wound through woods with the rail line occasionally becoming visible on our right. We emerged at The Macclesfield Canal and turned right (93mins). At benches opposite an elaborately-decorated former World War Two pillbox we stopped for Pietime (95mins) 

Resuming we followed a footpath to the right of Bridge 13 which headed downhill towards fields where horses were grazing. The path swung left through a kissing gate and emerged by an area used for parking horse-boxes (100mins). To the right, just before a path marked Private, was the entrance to Jacksons Brickworks Nature Reserve. 

Here the removal of clay had created a series of ponds and marshlands where environmentalists hope to attract birds which enjoy such habitats. In the summer it was also a magnet for dragonflies, damselflies and great crested newts.

On the far side of the nature reserve we rejoined The Middlewood Way and turned left towards Macclesfield. This brought us on the right to The Boar's Head (130mins) moments before the doors opened at noon.

After enjoying pints of Timothy Taylor's Landlord or Black Sheep cask bitter, accompanied by snacks (and wishing me happy returns), we rejoined The Middlewood Way yet again and turned right for 100 yards before taking a path on the left to enter a field with a soccer pitch. In the diagonally opposite corner we exited the field to reach the Macclesfield Canal and turned right (138mins) with the waterway on our left.

Just before a bridge we turned right (148mins) and followed a path down, passing a cottage on our left before turning right down steps to walk through a copse. The path emerged by the side of a house on the road linking Higher Poynton with Pott Shrigley  

(152mins)

We turned left along the road for 20 yards then went right through Coppice car park entering a path between wood carvings. The left path took us down into a valley by the side of a stream before we climbed a series of steps to reach the higher path and turn left (162mins)

After going through a wooden gate we turned immediately right along a path which passed Coppice Service Reservoir - an underground lake - on our left. Keeping the reservoir on our left we turned left at the T-junction (166mins). The lane led us through a vehicle barrier to a a footpath on our left leading to a footbridge over a stream. We turned right opposite this sign along a narrow fenced path between houses to cross a wooden stile and enter a field (176mins)

Aiming for a lightning tree directly ahead we found a hidden stile beyond it and crossed it to follow a well-trodden path across a field. At the far side was a wooden footbridge which led us into another field. By keeping to the right of this field and crossing two more stiles we reached Coppice Road (186mins)

By crossing this we reached a path which took us to Coppice Allotments. Here we swung right and then headed left through a gate. After 100 yards there was a path to our right which involved crossing a series of three stiles within 80 yards – George Whaites' worst nightmare (193mins)

At the last stile we turned left through a field and went through a metal kissing gate into the next field, heading downhill and passing stables on our right before emerging at the start of Anson Road (203mins) at its junction with Middlewood Road. We crossed the latter and walked up towards Davenport Golf Club, following the path with sections of the course on either side of us (210mins)

When we reached a path to our left through a gap stile (220mins) we turned left and carried on past a bench on our left to reach Towers Road (231mins). Opposite was Princes Incline which we followed downhill until it emerged at the cul-de-sac

leading to the main road (241mins). A left turn soon brought us back to Poynton Sports Club (243mins) 

Meanwhile the alternative walkers hiked for 8.5 miles from Charlesworth to Combes Edge and Brookbottom.

Next week's walk will start at 9.40am from the lay-by near the Harrington Arms at Bosley on the A523 road between Macclesfield and Leek. Arrangements for refreshments en route will be made when we know the latest edicts.

Happy wandering ! 

 

Pictures by Alan Hart

Mark Gibby

Your diarist’s 75th birthday cake

Poynton Pool

A traditional gipsy caravan

Narrowboats on the Macclesfield Canal

A converted WW2 pillbox

A lightning tree

Map by Tom Cunliffe

Sutton Hall

SUTTON HALL, BISHOPS CLOUGH, SUTTON RESERVOIR, MACCLESFIELD CANAL, BOSLEY LOCKS, BULLGATE LANE, NORTH RODE, RODE GREEN, THE HARRINGTON ARMS AT GAWSWORTH, DANES MOSS NATURE RESERVE, MACCLESFIELD CANAL, SUTTON HALL

Distance: Ten miles.

Difficulty: Easy.

Weather: Mostly dry and sunny.

Walkers: Alan Hart, Chris Owen, Dean Taylor and George Whaites.

Alternative walkers: Colin Davison, Laurie Fairman and Jock Rooney.

Apologies: Mickey Barrett, Peter Beal, Alastair Cairns, Tom Cunliffe, George Dearsley, Mark Gibby, John Jones, Julian Ross.

Leader: Owen. Diarist: Hart.

Starting point: Sutton Hall car park.

Starting time: 9.41am. Finishing time: 2.58pm.

A new set of restrictions due to the Covid19 pandemic may have been responsible for the low turnout on this long but mainly flat walk. Those who did sally forth were rewarded with mainly dry and sunny conditions. We also had a stroke of luck because the one heavy shower fell while we were sheltering under canvas in the pub's beer garden. It was decided to minimise the effects of the ensuing delay by having a second pint. On such occasions sacrifices have to be made.

It was also an opportunity to test the implementation of the latest lockdown rules and we were pleased to report that no subterfuge was needed and no problems were encountered as we sat around a table together to drink our beer. Who could have imagined we would be so pathetically grateful for such small mercies.

Thus we were able to maintain the finest traditions of the Wednesday Wanderers by doing our bit to keep Britain's pubs in business. When our great grandchildren ask us what we did to save our heritage we four can say with hands on hearts “We did our very best.”

From the car park we passed Sutton Hall on our right and followed a path leading to a wooden gate. We exited the grounds here and turned left with the River Bollin flowing on the right below the road. When we reached the main road we turned right (2mins)

We turned right into Symondley Road (10mins) after passing Sutton Ex-Servicemen's Club and at the end of the road we followed a public footpath sign for Bishops Clough (13mins). We went through two metal kissing gates before dog-legging left and right round a bridge across a stream, enabling us to follow a footpath next to the stream now on our right (19mins)

This brought us across a road to Sutton Reservoir, also known for reasons lost in the mists of time as Turk's Head Reservoir (27mins) on a path to its left. At the far end, with the path now heading right, we took a sharp left turn downhill (34mins) and followed this path to the main A523 Macclesfield-Leek road (38mins)

On the far side was a wooden bridge 48a which led us to the bank of The Macclesfield Canal. We walked along the towpath (39mins) with the waterway on our left. As we were doing so we were parallel with the A523 and passed The Fools Nook pub, which has been closed for several years and is now up for sale. It has probably served its last pint.

During a light shower (58-62mins) we took shelter under Bridge 50 until the rain stopped before pressing on to Bosley Locks for Pietime (86mins)

There are 12 locks at Bosley which alter the level by 118 feet. They are the only locks on The Macclesfield Canal which opened in 1831 and runs for 26 miles from its junction with The Peak Forest Canal at Marple and the Hall Green branch of the Trent and Mersey Canal.

Commercial traffic continued until 1954. The North Cheshire Cruising Club, founded in 1943 and based at High Lane, became the first such club on British waterways. It campaigned vigorously to keep local canals open for leisure use and in 1965 The Macclesfield Canal was designated as part of The Cheshire Ring.

After refreshments we left the canal and turned right down Bullgate Lane. Where it swung right and became Shellow Lane (92mins) we carried straight on into Park Road. This soon became a track which passed a lake on our right at North Rode. The lake had a spectacular giant plughole into which overflowing water dropped to a stream below.

After crossing a cattle grid we headed immediately left through a field of characteristically docile Highland cattle towards farm buildings. Before reaching them we swung right and followed a concrete path (111mins). We crossed a series of three wooden stiles to reach a road (120mins) where we turned right.

This brought us to the hamlet of Rode Green and the end of Pexall Lane. We continued ahead (122mins) through a metal kissing gate. Another similar gate and a series of four wooden stiles enabled us to cross fields until we reached a fishing pond (140mins) where our quartet turned left.

Two more metal kissing gates brought us to a road (154mins) with Gawsworth Parish Church on our right. We turned left and reached the Harrington Arms on our right (158mins). We were warmly welcomed and led to a table in the beer garden covered by a giant marquee. At the bottom of the garden we saw five greenhouses which had been converted into dining units.

Pints of Robbies' Dizzy Blonde cask bitter were in excellent form at £3-50 and the staff were both efficient and friendly.

After avoiding a heavy shower we retraced our footsteps up the road, this time passing the church on our right and a statue of Sir Robert Peel, founder of Britain's police force, on our left. We entered a field through a metal kissing gate (169mins) and went through four more to reach a road where we turned left (183mins)

Where the road swung left we took a footpath straight ahead for the Danes Moss Nature Reserve (187mins). We followed a sign right towards the reserve and paused for lunch (192mins)

Continuing our journey we crossed a railway bridge over the Manchester-London line (203mins). We reached The Macclesfield Canal at Swing Bridge 47 and turned left (206mins) with the waterway on our right. We left the canal at Bridge 44 (228mins) within sight of the entrance to Sutton Hall car park.

After reaching our cars (236mins) and de-booting, we enjoyed pints of Lord Lucan cask bitter for £3-80.

Meanwhile the alternative walkers met at Clough House Farm car park below Cumberland Clough and walked for nine miles to Three Shires Head, Gradbach and over Cut Thorn Hill.

Next week's walk will start at 9.30am from the car park near the entrance to Poynton Sports Club. This is your diarist's birthday celebration walk, although the nature of that celebration will very much depend upon the rules applying by next Wednesday. (We live in such exciting times). It is intended to reach The Boar's Head at Higher Poynton around 12.30pm and return to the sport club at about 2.15pm.

Happy wandering !

Pictures by Chris

                                                   

                                       Comical notice with a message for dog owners and dogs

Dean, Alan and George

                                                           Fishing lake at Gawsworth

                                                                                          Bosley Reservoir.

                                                              Drain in lake at North Roda

Little Hayfield

 October 7, 2020.

LITTLE HAYFIELD, PARK HALL, MIDDLE MOOR, HOLLINGWORTH CLOUGH, THE

INTAKES, MATLEY MOOR, COWN EDGE, NEAR STACK, THE LITTLE MILL INN AT

ROWARTH, LANESIDE FARM, HEXT FARM, LITTLE HAYFIELD

Distance: 8miles.

Difficulty: Easy.

Weather: Wet start: bright finish.

Walkers: Peter Beal, Andy Blease, Tom Cunliffe with Daisy, Alan Hart, John Jones, Chris Owen

and Keith Welsh.

Apologies: Mickey Barrett (Turkish hols), Alastair Cairns, George Dearsley (in Turkey), Mark

Gibby, Howard Jones, Jock Rooney (walking with B team), Julian Ross (visiting sister), Dean

Taylor, George Whaties and Dave Willetts.and george Whaites.

Leader: Cunliffe. Diarist: Jones.

Starting point: Outside Lantern Pike Inn, Little Hayfield. " There were eight walkers including our female Daisy....julian was not present so Tom was our leader...The weather was inclement from the off promising a damp start. crossing the road and through the Park Hall estate and onto Middle Moor. Tom then reminded Chris and I that as the weather was cloudy there would be nowt to see so a cunning deviation across to Chunal top was took..between showers we enjoyed a somewhat murky view head. crossing the road at Chunal and along the lane soon turning left to Knarrs.I am not sure where we went here but think it was at Rocks farm where we had a bite leaving Alan at an earlier barn (Higher Plainstead?) as he needed some privacy apparently. Later we joined up and onto Cown Edge through the quarries and soon turning South to Rowarth, the weather now drying up and showing dramatic views over Hyde and Ashton etc.where it was pissing down,, . We, lording it over them as we coasted downhill in the sunshine to the Little Mill Inn. Separated in two legal groups by a new landlord and part business owner we enjoyed Real ales ;- Doombar and Theakstons.which were both in good condition. . The landlord was enthusiastic about his beers including a new Coach House one named after the pub itself, Leaving the pub we could not fail to notice that the magnificent mid-shot water wheel had had it's bearings renewed and was now effortlessly turning, A splendid sight thus showing that the owners mean business with this place as along with the inner refurbishments a lot of money has been invested, Good luck to them,, After refreshment we took the leafy lane East South East for a bite enjoying sunshine and South past a un cared for farm with crushed caravans and n atmosphere of hopelessness about it. turning left onto metaled lane toward Hayfield, turning left again at row of cottages totally losing me with Tom's knowledgeable directions, back to the mill at Little Hayfield and cars,, A day that promised little but ended up as an enjoyable jaunt,,

Starting time: 9.40am. Finishing time: 2.11pm.

Next week's walk will start at 9.40am from the car park at Sutton Hall, Sutton, Macclesfield. We

plan to have a livener in the Harrington Arms at Gawsworth around 12.15pm, and a final drink in

Sutton Hall at about 2.45pm.

Happy wandering !

Pictures by Alan Hart

                                               Wanderers next the giant waterwheel at Rowarth.

Blue skies at last.

Looking down on Birch Vale with Ollersett Moor beyond.

Heading back towards Hayfield with Kinder Plateau in the background.

 The descent towards The Little Mill Inn at Rowarth.