Ridgegate Reservoir (again)

 Attended: (aperitif) Keef, (beachy) Cliff, Hughie, (dawn treader) Mark, Christopher Joseph. Non walking drinker Jock + pup.

Apologies: numerous

Weather: lovely

Distance: depends on direction of travel (explained later)

Difficulty: moderate

Time: 09.40hrs

We left Ridgegate in a westerly direction going uphill entering Macc forest via a bridle gate some 250m from the start. We took a metalled road uphill and turned right after some 400m which brought us out at the top of Nesset hill and a gorgeous view of the forest and in the distance Langley, Sutton and Macclesfield.

We turned right and followed the metalled path downhill then up again and took a right turn towards Shutlingslow. Some 400m further on we went through a kissing gate and turned right to commence the ascent of the ‘Cheshire Matterhorn’. We decided we would all attempt the ascent. Crossing a stone stile and gate the real pull albeit short lived commenced. Again we were rewarded with panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.

We separated into 2/3 groups to go downwards, ‘Gibbo’ took the shoulder saving his knees, Hughie skipped his way down the steeper route, Cliff, Keith and myself descended more thoughtfully deciding to utilise backside and softer grass following Hughie.

We went through a series of stiles, bridges and kissing gates and had pie time on a bench and wall at the Crag Inn.

A couple of metres behind us we went through a kissing gate and walked along the Wildboarclough valley wall. Eventually we left a series of kissing gates and stiles and turned left on a lane. We progressed along the lane for some 400m and turned right through yet another kissing gate. Going uphill with a stream on our left we followed the valley uphill before arriving at our ex chancellors gaff ‘George Osbourne’, colloquially referred to as ‘t..t’ to our left leaning leader for the day.

After climbing for a little longer we passed kissing gates and stiles and the lead in to the Hanging Gate PH. Unfortunately it is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays albeit very popular on days it is open.

After passing through the premises we arrived on Ridge Hill where given our group haven’t done regular ‘jaunts’, it was decided four chaps would take the ‘gritstone ish trail’ back to Ridgegate and the Leather’s Smithy PH and cars led by Hughie, Christopher Joseph would turn left and have a livener at the Ryles Arms and meet our non walking drinker + pup.

After a wet, I took leave of Jock and proceeded to Sutton along Hollin lane/Hall lane. With my walk to Ridgegate first thing I estimate 10+ miles (26000 steps). The chaps 8??

The band of four I think will have frequented the LS given it is/was a warm day.

Next weeks walk has already been agreed commencing at 10am in Broadbottom.