Bollin Valley

October 11, 2023

 

THE UNICORN AT DEAN ROW, VICAR FARM, BOLLIN VALLEY, MOTTRAM HALL GOLF COURSE, LOWER GADHOLE FARM, THE ADMIRAL RODNEY AT PRESTBURY, BOLLIN VALLEY, PRESTBURY SEWAGE WORKS, THE UNICORN AT DEAN ROW

 

Distance: 10 miles.

Difficulty: Easy

Weather: Dull, cloudy with frequent light showers.

 

Walkers: Mike Cassini, Tom Cunliffe with Daisy, Alan Hart, Chris Owen.

Apologies: Peter Beal (convalescing from falling tree injury during Greek island holiday.), Andy Blease, Alastair Cairns and Julian Ross (w*^king in Saudi Arabia), Micky Barrett (in Spain), George Dearsley (in Turkey), Hughie Hardiman, Mark Enright, Dean Taylor, Dave Willetts, Simon Williams, Cliff Worthington,

Leader: None. Diarist: Hart.

Starting point: Car park of The Unicorn at Dean Row, Handforth.

Starting time: 9.45am. Finishing time: 2.30pm.

 

Because of the forecast of heavy rain Tom decided to postpone his planned 13-mile hike around Ladybower Reservoir. At the 11th hour the venue was switched to a closer starting point and a shorter route. By then we had received several apologies, some no doubt due to the predicted weather. Against his better judgement, your diarist was not among them.

There was light drizzle at the outset, but this became heavier after the first mile. From then onwards there was little respite as one shower followed another throughout our journey.

Most of the quartet who decided to brave the conditions were familiar with the route so no leader was deemed necessary. All went smoothly until one member of the group insisted against advice on crossing a bridge back over the Bollin.

For the sake of unity we followed him. This resulted in the first and last three miles of our route retracing our earlier footsteps with a three-mile loop around Mottram St Andrew in the middle on top of a one-mile return trip to Prestbury for our customary liveners.

In those circumstances, I do not propose to relate the precise details of this walk. 

 

Suffice to say the Dizzy Blonde in the Admiral Rodney was in excellent fettle at what has become a normal £4-75 a pint.

Earlier we had encountered cows with new-born calves in a field as we approached Vicar Farm. 

 

 Camera-shy calves

 

Pietime with port was taken on a flight of steps shortly after was had passed a traditional thatched cottage on our right.

 

    Pretty in pink

 

 

Next week's walk will start at 9.45am from the free car park next to Poynton Pool off Anglesey Drive, Poynton (nearest postcode SK12 1LJ). We are aiming to walk alongside the lake before crossing paths through fields to Bramhall and joining The Happy Valley Leisure Park. After Pietime at Bramall Hall we will aim for a livener at The Ladybrook pub in Fir Road, Bramhall SK7 2NP, around noon. (Dogs are welcome)

Your diarist will be celebrating a day early the 78thanniversary of his birth and you are welcome to join him for drinks and snacks. We expect to return via the rest of Happy Valley and Mill Hill Hollow, arriving back at Poynton Pool car park around 2.30pm.

 

Happy wandering !

PS Jock's alternative wander:

Finding it difficult to resist the charms of the Bollin and it's breathtaking sewage works I somehow managed to do so and opted to do a repeat of Kieran, Myself and Millie's last wet weather wimps walk with a few minor changes. It was hard choice, but I opted for the sparkling clear waters and towering white limestone cliffs of the Wye Gorge because it was much closer.

Outbound : No wind, occasional light rain with the odd patch of blue sky. Homeward bound patchy light rain but a bit heavier and more persistent for the last half hour.

Length...10 miles Time...4h 45 mins Difficulty...Easy Peasy ....Pub Weatherspoons with my younger son where the price was definitely on form.

Next week. Apologies for absence, I will be in Puerto Pollenca with the caving gang.