Sutton Hall

 

Jan 18 2023

Sutton Hall round route via Macclesfield Canal to Bosley locks; across fields through North Rode to Harrington Arms at Gawsworth through Gawsworth back through Danes Moss Nature Reserve to Sutton Hall

Distance walked 11.3 Miles

Difficulty: easy Tom classed as stiletto and white handbag –

Weather: clear dry and sunny but snow underfoot.

Walkers: Mark Enright Ben Enright Dave Willets Dean Taylor Julian Ross (PS on a cruise for the next month if you’ve not heard) Hughie Hardiman Mark Gibby Andy Blease Keith Welsh Tom Cunliffe Daisy Cunliffe Chris Owen Mike Cassini. Apologies; Alan Hart, Peter Beal in La Palma, Mickey Barrett cruising,  Alistair Cairns supervising Roofing contractors, Simon Williams playing with Spielberg.

Leader Chris Owen

Diarist Mike Cassini volunteered by Tom 

Starting Point; Sutton Hall 9.55am finishing time of walk 2:30pm

 

Apologies if this is not up to the usual standard and lacking the usual local geographic geomorphic and historic detail. My memory isn’t what it was and I agreed to this after Mr Cunliffe threatened me with Daisy if I didn’t write it. The initial plan to meet by the Ridgegate Reservoir was scuppered by the overnight snow and early morning freeze so plan b was to meet at Sutton Hall and follow a mainly flat route initially via the Macclesfield canal. As soon as the starting gun went Messrs. Owen and Taylor, thrilled by the flat terrain, were at Bosley Locks before Tom had changed from his stilettoes into his new Hi-Tec boots and morning break was taken.

Following a short trek down down a iced racing track for 4 x4 test pilots we cut through fields  by some beautiful Highland cattle.

We then went via North Rode past large fishing lakes/ponds to -not the Bosley Harrington Arms but the Gawsworth version.

Following a bit of furniture moving regarding a local Settle, we settled down for light refreshment before setting off through the quaint village of Gawsworth past Sir Robert Peel’s statue which was moved to its site for no particular historic reason just after WW2 . We then cut through Danes Moss which is apparently the highest and largest raised lowland bog in Cheshire- then over the railway bridge to the Macclesfield canal again returning to Sutton Hall sometime after 2pm.

 

Next week will start at the Sportsman in Hayfield 9:45 led by Dean and Tommy Taylor