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.