Longnor

April 28, 2021.

LONGNOR, DOVE VALLEY, BEGGER'S BRIDGE, ALDERLEY CLIFF, ABBOTSIDE FARM, HURDLOW GRANGE, ROYAL OAK AT SPARKLOW, HIGH PEAK TRAIL, CUSTARD FIELD FARM, DARLEY FARM, PILSBURY CASTLE, RIVER DOVE, THE PACK HORSE INN AT CROWDECOTE, YE OLDE CHESHIRE CHEESE INN AT LONGNOR

Distance: 9-10 miles.

Difficulty: Easy.

Weather: Dry but cloudy with occasional sunshine: chilly wind.

Walkers: Peter Beal, Andy Blease, Alastair Cairns, Tom Cunliffe with Daisy, Hughie Hardiman, Alan Hart, Chris Owen, Jock Rooney, Paul Sidebotham, Dean Taylor, Dave Willetts.

Apologies: Micky Barrett (in Lakes), George Dearsley (in Turkey), Mark Gibby (in Ripon), John Jones (removal preparations)

Leader: Rooney. Diarist: Hart.

Starting point: Cobbled main square in Longnor, Staffs.

Starting time: 9.56am. Finishing time: 1.53pm.

A chill wind did nothing to cool our enthusiasm for this attractive walk as we criss-crossed the boundaries of Staffordshire and Derbyshire in and around the Dove Valley. Apart from the magnificent scenery we also admired a 900-year-old castle and three traditional country pubs. In the interests of research we inspected two of them and promised ourselves a visit to the third on another occasion.

Jock has clearly learned much from his faithful border collie Tip as he led our 11-strong group mainly from the rear, nipping at the heels of any strays where necessary.

The tactic worked well until we reached a pub a mile from the finishing line when Peter and Hughie disappeared together for the second time in a month. It is to be hoped this will not lead to any scurrilous unsubstantiated gossip. In these enlightened times we would not wish to be judgemental.

From the main square we turned left, passing our ultimate destination, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, on our left as we walked in the direction of Crowdecote before turning left up Dove Ridge (4mins). We turned right at a wooden public bridleway sign (6mins) and followed this until just before reaching a barn where we turned left and immediately right at a sign spelt Begger's Bridge (11mins)

To our left as we walked through a field was the distinctive shape of Chrome Hill. After crossing the infant River Dove via the bridge we followed a path to the right (19mins) and reached a lane where we turned left (26mins) passing Alderley Cliff on our left. Beyond Abbots Grove on our right (33mins) we turned sharp right passing a sign warning “Unsuitable For Motors” as we headed uphill.

On our left was an easily-missed wooden gate with a yellow arrow (38mins) which we used to cross a field and then a lane on the far side with another small gate and yellow arrow (39mins). We aimed diagonally right to the centre of the next field and went through a wooden gate marked with a wooden public footpath sign (43mins)

Another wooden gate (44mins) led us through a field where we kept a drystone wall on our right. The path now led us through a series of gates , fields and a copse of saplings to a stone step stile which led to a gravel track (59mins) where we paused for Pietime.

Continuing we squeezed through a gap stile to enter a field, keeping close to a drystone wall on our right before turning right through an open gateway (61mins). We reached a lane and headed left downhill(64mins) passing Hurdlow Grange on our right (70mins) and arriving outside The Royal Oak at Sparklow (87mins)

Because of our brisk pace we had arrived there 22 minutes early for their noon opening time, so after some of the group availed themselves of the toilet facilities we continued.

Passing the pub on our left we soon turned right downhill along a track which passed Railway Cottage on its right (93mins) before entering a car park and joined The High Peak Trail (95mins)

The High Peak Trail runs for 17 miles from Dowlow to Cromford following the trackbed of the former Cromford and High Peak railway line. This was completed in 1831 to carry minerals and goods between the Cromford Canal and the Peak Forest Canal at Whaley Bridge. The line closed in stages between 1963 and 1967 because it was no longer deemed viable. It was reopened as a leisure facility and is joined by The Tissington Trail and is now part of The Pennine Bridleway and The National Cycling Network.

We followed the trail, passing a sign for Parsley Hay (101mins) before turning right at a wooden public footpath sign marked with a yellow arrow (127mins). This path led us through the yard of Darley Farm (130mins), across the road and a dogleg right and left turn which took us through a wooden gate marked with a yellow arrow.

After crossing three stone step stiles we headed through another farmyard before following a signpost for Pilsbury (143mins)

We crossed a lane and aimed for Pilsbury up a flight of steps through a wooden gate and by following a yellow arrow (144mins). Similar arrows on a series of posts led us through two wooden gates and a series of three stone step stiles.

When we reached a signpost for Pilsbury left and Crowdecote straight ahead we ignored the left turn (160mins), continuing to aim for Crowdecote at another wooden public footpath sign (169mins). After going through a wooden gate marked with a yellow arrow (171mins) we reached the mound of earth and stone which was once Pilsbury Castle (179mins)

This motte and bailey ruin was built after the Norman Conquest as troops loyal to William the Conqueror carried out their ruthless campaign to harry the north of England into submission through force and starvation. It controlled the Dove Valley until falling into disuse during the 12^th Century.

We proceeded along the right bank of the Dove through a wooden kissing gate (189mins) and a metal gate (202mins) to reach a main road (207mins). Here we turned right to enter the beer garden behind The Pack Horse Inn on our right (208mins)

This traditional English country pub was taken over by young Latvian landlord Chris and his wife just before the covid virus and subsequent lockdown disrupted the hospitality industry. We wish them well in running one of the best pubs in the area.

Leaving The Pack Horse we turned left to cross the road bridge over the River Dove, thus returning from Derbyshire to Staffordshire. It was only a mile to Longnor and Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese on our right (226mins) where further refreshment was taken.

Next week's walk will start at 9.30am from the car park of Sutton Hall, Gurnet, on the outskirts of Macclesfield. We are hoping our wounded comrade Laurie Fairman will be fit enough to join us for a pint at The Harrington Arms in Gawsworth, which we expect to reach for a livener around 12.15pm. Further refreshment will be taken on our return to Sutton Hall at about 2.30pm.

Happy wandering !

                                                Picture by Alan Hart

Chrome Hill

Alderley Cliff

Pilsbury Castle.

Ridgegate Reservoir

 

April 21, 2021.

RIDGEGATE RESERVOIR, MACCLESFIELD FOREST, NESSIT HILL, SHUTLINGSLOE, THE CRAG AT WILDBOARCLOUGH, OAKENCLOUGH, THE HANGING GATE AT POT LORDS, GRITSTONE TRAIL, LEES HOUSE FARM AND LEATHER'S SMITHY AT LANGLEY

Distance: 8 miles.

Difficulty: Moderate.

Weather: Dry with blue skies and sunshine but a chilly wind.

Walkers: Peter Beal, Andy Blease, Tom Cunliffe with Daisy, Mark Gibby, Hughie Hardiman, Alan Hart, John Jones, Chris Owen, Dean Taylor, George Whaites, Dave Willetts.

Apologies: Alastair Cairns (walking in Lakes), George Dearsley (in Turkey publicising his book), Jock Rooney (walking with B teamers), Paul Sidebotham (unspecified), Keith Welsh (in Cornwall)

Leader: Owen. Diarist: Hart.

Starting point: Lay-by next to Ridgegate Reservoir near Leather's Smithy, Langley.

Starting time: 9.42am. Finishing time: 1.15pm.

For 23 minutes there were 11 men and one dog on this attractive route among the hills and valleys of north-east Cheshire. Then Tom decided to take an alternative path, persuading George and Daisy to accompany him, and we saw neither hide nor hair of them again until they joined us at journey's end in the beer garden of Leather's Smithy.

This diary records the progress of the nine who decided to follow Chris as he led us over familiar and much-loved territory. It only lacked a midway pub stop for a livener to complete a perfect day. Sadly the newly-reopened Hanging Gate is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays until further notice. Rest assured we will leave no stone unturned as we research which local hostelries are available when the current restrictions end.

Waiting for JJ has become rather like Waiting for Godot, except that unlike Samuel Beckett's missing hero our wiry wanderer does eventually turn up. So when JJ finally found us we set off with the lake on our right as we headed uphill and swung right towards Wincle (13mins). We turned left at a barrier to enter Macclesfield Forest and immediately followed the right fork (15mins)

It was when we reached a path on our right (23mins) which passes Nessit Hill on the way to Shutlingsloe that Tom decided to tak' the low road signposted for Shutlingsloe. With his lockdown-length grey hair and bushy beard he resembled an Old Testament prophet.

The main peleton took the unmarked path on the right and climbed uphill until we reached a wooden gate in front of us (33mins). Here we turned left until we reached Nessit Hill on our left (38mins). This viewpoint gave us spectacular views across the valley and down on the reservoirs below.

After pausing to admire the scenery and take photos we proceeded, turning right at a wooden public footpath sign for Shutlingsloe (47mins). After going through a metal gate we turned right (56mins) along a row of flags on the left of a drystone wall. These took us all the way to a stile beyond which was the steep climb to the summit.

Shutlingsloe, at 1,660 feet, is the third highest peak in Cheshire behind Black Hill and Shining Tor. Its name derives from the old English Scyttel's hlaw, meaning Scyttel's hill. It is known as The Matterhorn of Cheshire, comparing it with the 14,692 feet Alpine mountain on the border of Switzerland and Italy where more than 500 climbers have died. It is not known how many mountaineers have been victims of Shutlingsloe but we emerged unscathed.

After pausing on the summit (64mins) for more photos we started the tricky descent down rocks initially until the going became easier as we aimed slightly right along the well-trodden path. It led us through two metal kissing gates to a lane (81mins) where we turned right.

The lane took us over a cattle-grid to a road (88mins) where we turned right, passing the Crag Inn on our right (90mins). A sign informed us that the pub is now only open from noon till 4pm on Saturdays and Sundays. We stopped for Pietime and tried in vain to ring Tom and George.

Proceeding we turned right immediately through a metal gate with a yellow arrow to enter a field and follow the well-trodden, well-marked path through several more until we crossed a stone step stile to emerge on a lane (110mins). We turned left with Piggford Moor Nature Reserve on our right.

After passing Heron Crag on our left we turned right at a metal kissing gate (124mins) and followed the path through a wooden gate with a yellow arrow and over a new footbridge (129mins). We went through a metal gate and forded a stream beneath an imposing house which was once the constituency home of former Chancellor George Osborne.

As we swung left away from the building we passed a flock of exclusively black sheep on our left and a host of golden daffodils before we turned left at a green public footpath sign (137mins). The path then took us through a wooden gate and over a wooden stile before reaching a road with The Hanging Gate on the far side (149mins)

We followed a right of way between the pub on our left and its toilets on our right before turning right along the footpath through a metal gate marked with a yellow arrow. This led us to a road where we turned left (154mins). We soon came to a public footpath sign with the Gritstone Trail symbol of a footprint on our right (155mins).

The distinctive trail signs then led us through improved gates and markings, passing Gritstone Barn on our right (165mins) and through two metal kissing gates to cross a lane (169mins). At a sheltered dip in the next path we paused for lunch (172mins) before continuing through metal kissing gates to a farm track where we turned left (174mins)

We passed the former home of Sale, Cheshire and England rugby captain Fran Cotton on our right with a pond on our left (176mins). As the Gritstone Trail swung left beyond the house we followed it for a few yards then headed right at a yellow arrow down to a wooden footbridge (178mins)

After climbing steps uphill on the far side of the bridge we reached the tip of Ridgegate Reservoir, turning left to follow a gravel track in a clockwise direction. This soon brought us to Leather's Smithy on our left where we enjoyed pints of Black Sheep cask bitter in the beer garden.

Next week's walk will start at 9.50am from the main square in Longnor, near the Staffordshire-Derbyshire border. Courtesy of a phone call from JJ we have established that Ye Olde Pack Horse at Crowdecote will be open and expecting us when we stop for a bracer before returning to our cars.

Happy wandering !

Pictures by Alan Hart

A host of golden daffodils on Oakenclough.

Three panoramic views from summit of Shutlingsloe.

The approach to Shutlingsloe.

Looking down on Ridgegate Reservoir and Tegg’s Nose from Nessit Hill.

Ridgegate Reservoir from Nessit Hill.

picture by Tom, "Lonesome George with Shuttlingsloe in the background"

Bugsworth Basin

 

April 14, 2021.

BUGSWORTH BASIN, WHITEHOUGH, PEAK FOREST TRAMWAY, CHAPEL MILTON, SHIREOAKS, SOUTH HEAD, THE LAMB AT CHINLEY HEAD, MONK'S MEADOWS, CHINLEY CHURN, COTEBANK, BRIERLEY GREEN AND THE NAVIGATION AT BUGSWORTH

Distance: 9-10 miles

Difficulty: Strenuous.

Weather: Dry with blue skies, cloud and sunshine.

Walkers: Mickey Barrett, Peter Beal, Andy Blease, Alastair Cairns, Mark Gibby, Hughie Hardiman, Alan Hart, John Jones, Chris Owen, Jock Rooney, Julian Ross, Paul Sidebotham, Dean Taylor, Dave Willetts.

Apologies: Tom Cunliffe (tending sick wife), Keith Welsh (visiting Cornwall)

Leader: Jones. Diarist: Hart.

Starting point: Outside The Navigation at Bugsworth Basin, near Chinley, Derbyshire.

Starting time: 9.40am. Finishing time: 2.44pm.

Freed from the chains of Lockdown we had a bumper turnout for this tough but enjoyable walk from Buggy Basin. Although some Wednesday Wanderers have been keeping things ticking over, this was the first opportunity for a large group of us to walk together and visit pubs.

It was an opportunity to welcome back to our ranks after prolonged absence Mickey Barrett, Peter Beal, Alastair Cairns and Mark Gibby. We were also joined by a debutant, Paul “Siddy” Sidebotham, from Poynton, a friend of Alastair. It was a pleasure to meet Paul and great to see the return of our prodigals.

Although parts of the route chosen and led by JJ were familiar to some seasoned walkers, the journey in its entirety was a new venture and one which we will no doubt try again. To add to the enjoyment, the cask beer at The Lamb and The Navvy was in excellent condition. Not only that but for the second successive week we passed a field containing a llama and an emu. Is this another result of global warming ?

From the car park we passed the pub on our left and took a path on the right bank of Black Brook which took us past the Stephanie Works (16mins) and across two roads as we joined the Peak Forest Tramway (22mins). We reached the main A624 road to Glossop and turned left towards Chapel Milton (36mins)

At a public footpath sign on our right we turned right, passing CJK Packaging (39mins) to follow the path which led under a double railway viaduct (45mins) to reach a road (47mins). Here we dog-legged first left then right to head through a walled passage.

This led to a lane where again we dog-legged left and right, passing Oak House on our right. We turned left through a wooden gate at The Cottage (50mins) and crossed a field to go through another gate and turn left uphill. At a T-junction we dog-legged left and right for the third time in less than an hour to follow a road over a railway bridge (53mins)

After passing Breck Corner on our right we then swung right and left as the path headed towards a farmyard (58mins). We took a path to the left of the farmhouse, going through two gates to exit and head uphill. After a long climb we went through a metal gate, reached The Pennine Bridleway and stopped for Pietime (86mins)

As we relaxed we heard the familiar cry of a curlew which we then saw in the distance. Resuming we turned left along the bridleway. When we drew level with South Head on our left we turned left (107mins) to head steeply for the Trig Point on its summit (111mins)

Pausing for breath we looked back across the valley to Kinder Low, Edale Rocks, Swinesback, Pym Chair and Crowden Tower before starting our descent down the opposite side (117mins). After going through a metal gate we headed left over a stone step stile (126mins) and went diagonally right (133mins) to go through a gap in a broken drystone wall (135mins)

After walking through a wooden gate (137mins) we headed further downhill to cross a wooden stile and reach the A624. We turned right towards Hayfield and after 30 yards turned right at the entrance to The Lamb Inn (144mins) where we enjoyed pints of Wainwrights' cask bitter for £3-70.

The pace had obviously been too great for Peter and Hughie, who made excuses to leave us and take a direct route back to their cars.

Suitably refreshed the remaining dozen turned left out of the pub car park and after 50 yards followed a public footpath sign on the right of the A624. This led down towards a farmhouse but before reaching it we followed a footpath on our left (149mins).

This took us across a stone and wood stile where we stopped for lunch (159mins). In the adjacent field we had already been approached by a llama who was clearly used to posing for photographs. Our presence then attracted the attention of an emu.

Continuing our journey we followed a path on the left of a drystone wall then headed left up a steep hill to reach a lane through a wooden gate (167mins). We turned right for 50 yards then headed left at a wooden public footpath sign (168mins). After a steep climb we crossed a stone step stile (174mins) and turned right uphill.

As we walked in the direction of the summit of Cracken Edge we turned left off the track to reach another footpath over a broken drystone wall on Chinley Churn. Here we turned left (185mins). After crossing a wooden stile (190mins) we passed a wooden public footpath sign 50 yards before a wooden gate on our right led us to a farm track (198mins). We turned left and reached a lane (204mins) where we turned left again downhill (208mins).

At a public footpatgh sign we turned right towards Cote Bank (211mins) passing Tythe Barn Farm on our right (216mins) and 100 yards further on we headed left off the main track before crossing a wooden stile where a sign pointed us in the direction of Bugsworth (218mins)

Keeping a drystone wall on our left we continued to cross a wooden stile (223mins) and enter a road with houses on either side. Dolly Wood Lane led us left to a main road where we turned right (224mins). We walked through Brierley Green, through a railway tunnel and passed Bugsworth War Memorial Club on our left before turning left at Brookside to reach our cars (230mins).

After de-booting we sat outside The Navigation Inn drinking excellent Timothy Taylor Landlord cask bitter at an eye-watering £4-60 a pint.

Next week's walk will start at 9.40am from the lay-by nearest to Leather's Smithy pub at Ridgegate Reservoir. We are aiming to walk through Macclesfield Forest to Shutlingsloe and then drop down to The Crag Inn at Wildboarclough before heading back up to The Hanging Gate on Wincle Lane, Higher Sutton. It seems this is normally closed on Tuesday and Wednesdays but we are checking. In any event we intend to finish with drinks at Leather's Smithy.

Happy wandering !

                                                                 pictures by Alan Hart

The convergence of two railway viaducts.

Pietime.

The view from South Head

A llama

An emu

The view from Chinley Churn. 

Pictures by John Jones

South Head descent.

.Mount Famine

A landmark moment after many dry months.

 The Slog 

Bosley

April 7 and 14, 2021.
BOSLEY, HILLSIDE FARM, BOSLEY CLOUD, TANNERS BARN, IVY COTTAGE, TIMBERSBROOK PICNIC AREA, WEATHERCOCK FARM, POOL BANK MILL, HOOFRIDGE FARM, MACCLESFIELD CANAL, LAMBERTS LANE, CONGLETON TOWN CENTRE, CONGLETON PARK, DANE VALLEY, BUGLAWTON AND MACCLESFIELD CANAL
Distance: 12 miles.
Difficulty: Moderate.
Weather: Cold start but dry with warm sunshine later.
Walkers: Andy Blease, Tom Cunliffe with Daisy, Hughie Hardiman, Alan Hart, John Jones, Chris Owen, Jock Rooney, Julian Ross, Dean Taylor and Keith Welsh.
Leader: Owen. Diarist: Hart.
Starting point: Lay-by opposite the Harrington Arms at Bosley, near Macclesfield.
Starting time: 9.35am. Finishing time: 2.30pm.

On any walk led by Chris there is a fair chance you will encounter a canal, a steep hill, a town centre and a brisk pace. He did not disappoint. This longer than usual hike took us to the summit of one of Cheshire's highest hills before Pietime. En route we had the unexpected bonus of passing a menagerie of exotic creatures not normally associated with the northern hemisphere.
We also crossed the site of a recent disaster area where four people were killed in an explosion. All this took place in crisp early spring sunshine.
There was a welcome return to the fold of Hughie and Julian after a prolonged absence and our large turnout had to be split into two groups of five for social distancing purposes
From the lay-by on the A523 we headed south towards Leek, soon crossing the road when we reached The Queens Arms on our left and following a footpath to the left of St Mary The Virgin Church, Bosley. This took us through two metal kissing gates and a series of fields before we emerged at the crossroads on Tunstall Road, Bosley, where Wood Flour Mills once stood.
Fifty workers were employed here and in July, 2015, 35 of them were on duty when there was an explosion followed by a fierce fire which destroyed a four-storey building. Four workers died and four more were injured as the highly flammable wood flour used to make laminate flooring created an inferno.
Opposite the remains of the mills, where workmen were hosing down pallets, we crossed a bridge over the River Dane and began a steady walk uphill along a lane. At the first junction we turned left (27mins) and crossed a wooden stile marked with a yellow arrow on our right (29mins)
This took us through fields and across stiles until we reached a lane where we turned left uphill (39mins). After passing Hillside Farm and Eastview on our right we turned right at a wooden public footpath sing bearing the emblem of the Gritstone Trail – a bootprint (45mins).
The path turned first right then left until we reached another wooden footpath sign on our right (47mins) pointing the way to Bosley Cloud, a National Trust estate.
On our left was an enclosure which contained either a large wallaby or a small kangaroo. Beyond it was another pen in which there were emus or ostriches, and llamas or alpacas, possibly both. There was also a clutch of three huge eggs which would have made ample omelettes for all ten of us.
We followed the path uphill to the Trig Point on the summit (343 metres). After pausing for breath and photos we began our descent passing the GT logo (60mins)
The GT symbol directed us past the NT Bosley Cloud exit via a wooden kissing gate (76mins). The path continued downhill until the GT emblem appeared on a wooden public footpath sign on our left indicating a flight of wooden steps down to a road (83mins). Descending the long steep flight we reached a road opposite Tanners Barn (87mins) and turned left. We turned right after Ivy Cottage at a footpath sign and entered Timbersbrook Picnic Area for Pietime (90mins)
Here we were advised by a plaque to look out for buff-tailed bumblebees and elephant hawkmoths. We remained vigilant throughout our meal break but there was no sign of them.
Continuing our journey we exited the picnic zone via a car park and turned right along a road, passing the exquisite Weathercock Farm on our right before crossing a stream and turning left at a wooden public footpath sign with the GT marker. We followed a sign for Pool Bank Mill (95mins) which took us left of a house, through a metal kissing gate and slightly right as we crossed a field (97mins)
We went through two more kissing gates (101 and 102mins) before crossing a path to head through a wooden gate marked with a yellow arrow and the GT marker (106mins). We turned right uphill along a lane then left at a footpath sign through the yard of Hoofridge Farm House.
Two wooden stiles enabled us to cross a field, where we turned right with trees on our left. We crossed another wooden stile (114mins) and reached the Macclesfield Canal (118mins), turning right with the waterway on our left. At Bridge 72 we crossed to turn left and walk on its right bank. After walking along the towpath under bridges 73-76 we turned right to cross to the left bank.
A temporary closure of the towpath forced us to make a minor diversion left through a housing estate (130mins) to reach Bridge 77 where we planned to leave the canal. We crossed the bridge (133mins) and headed down Lamberts Lane. Where the lanes crossed (140mins) we turned right, crossed a lane (141mins) and followed a path with new houses on our left.
At the end of the path was a sign for Congleton Tow Centre (145mins) which we followed down Howey Lane. We reached the main shopping street on our left and turned into it, passing WH Smith on our right. When we reached a T-junction (151mins) opposite The Counting House (Wetherspoons) we turned right and headed for a large roundabout. Here we crossed to the far side and turned right into Mountbatten Way (156mins)
We kept the River Dane on our left until we crossed a bridge over it to enter Congleton's beautiful Memorial Park. Keeping left we reached the bandstand (161mins) and stopped for lunch.
Resuming we turned left at a sign for Macclesfield and Buglawton with the Dane now on our right and an industrial estate on our left. Turning right to cross the Dane, we turned left and entered a housing estate. Just before we reached shops on our right (172mins) we headed left for a path between blue railings.
The path led us into a field (174mins). At the far side was a children's playground. We exited beyond it to the right and were now in a Buglawton housing estate. We turned right at Malhamdale Road (181mins), following it to the right and then turning left into Harvey Road (182mins). Ignoring Wharfedale Road on our right we turned left on to a public bridleway (185mins)
At the end was a flight of steps which led us back to the Macclesfield Canal (188mins). We turned left along the towpath with the waterway on our right and continued under Bridge 64 before leaving at Bridge 57 (227mins)
The path over the bridge led us over a footbridge and through a metal kissing gate to reach a road (239mins). We turned left to cross the bridge over the Dane, and we were now retracing our earlier footsteps as we passed the tragic wood flour mill and took the return route to the lay-by and our cars (256mins)
Next week's walk will start at 9.30am from the Navigation Inn at Bugsworth Basin. Park on the road leading to the pub – but not the pub car park – and meet next to the pub alongside The Peak Forest Canal. We are looking forward to our first pints of the year during the course of our ramble.
Happy wandering !

map by Tom

pictures by Alan Hart

 a large wallaby or a small kangaroo; a large emu or a small ostrich; a clutch of three eggs laid by the aforementioned; a dark alpaca and white llamas.

Macclesfield Canal

view from the summit of Bosley Cloud

view from the summit of Bosley Cloud

view from the summit of Bosley Cloud

Daffodils

Pictures by John Jones

English Oak at winter's rest.

Two old men on park bench having a drink..