Postcard from Timperley

Wednesday 18 January 2012 – The Lancashire Trail (Part 4) – Rivington to Abbey Village

2012-01-25T15:09:00.001Z

The East Lancs LDWA’s Lancashire Trail series of walks is gaining in momentum. An excellent turnout of 12 walkers on a dreich day stretched the skills of our car parking attendant as he strove to avoid conflict with neighbours and blocked drives.

Eventually Allan arrived and we started off from Reg’s house to narrowly miss the 125 bus to Rivington. Standing outside a shop that was selling hot pies and creamy cakes didn’t appeal to Reg, so we passed the time before the next bus by strolling along to another stop.

We started off where we finished on 13 December, past Norman's friend, the wet wallaby of Dryfield Lane. It was a slow start. Waterproof clothing was needed. The paths were muddy. Toilets at Rivington Lower Barn were … convenient.

A pleasant stroll alongside Rivington Reservoirs brought us out near Alance Bridge, where the picture above was taken. Then Anglezarke Reservoir was our companion until a splinter movement, led by R Norman (60, and looking every day of it) saw Norman sloshing through a field and four others strolling along a dryish path, leaving Reg and his disciples to trudge through the deep mud of an alternative, newly laid, trail beside the River Goit.

Our 'alternative' route to White Coppice soon crossed a marshy area where Norman was temporarily stranded on a pontoon masquerading as a footbridge linking two giant puddles.

White Coppice cricket pitch appeared – we enjoyed a quintessential English village scene from our lunch spot on the long bench under the pavilion’s verandah. Just the sunshine and the players were absent.

Two other walkers sat miserably on a distant bench in the rain. We would have embraced their presence had they asked, but they waited for us to leave before taking adjourning to the comfort of the pavilion.

Norman friskily led half the group up the direct route beside Dean Black Brook, but progress from now on was rather slow as Reg had failed to inflate his energy bank before setting off after lunch. Clearly two fudge brownies were not enough (even though most others only got one!).

We spent a while at the ruin of Drinkwaters Farm, where Joe's Cup received a donation before being replaced in its home deep within an old dry-stone wall. I recently wrote about this here.

It was a romp from the ruined farm to the summit of Great Hill (380 metres), where these old timers pottered around the X shaped windbreak whilst awaiting the arrival of their leader.

Despite the dull day, the grassland was a lovely colour on the descent towards Abbey Village. Our route went left past the trees above Reg’s head (see below), then right alongside the distant wall that leads towards the woodland. Long-time readers of these pages may recall that the top of Darwen Tower blew off a while ago – it appears here in the distance, with a newly refurbished top (turret?) that I’ll visit soon.

Allan, Reg and I fell well behind as we sauntered down the hill towards Roddlesworth Woods, where moss covered exposed roots amidst a bedding of beech leaves make for a very pretty winter’s scene beside the River Roddlesworth.

Norman’s power-crazed mind couldn’t restrain him from leading his group of nine around the north side of Roddlesworth Reservoir, whilst Reg, Allan and I enjoyed the colourful woods to the south.

Soon we were on the last lap to the Hare & Hounds at Abbey Village, where the three of us could see Norman’s men outside, with freshly charged glasses. “We’ve got a good five minutes before the 3.19 bus to Wigan” observed Reg, at 3.12, when the bus arrived. Some frantic gulping was necessary, and some beer went to waste, only Peter having the presence of mind to slowly sip his pint to the dregs whilst waiting for the sudden queue for bus tickets to subside…

It remains a mystery as to why the bus timetable carried by the driver differed significantly from the one displayed at the bus stop. Passengers need to arrive about ten minutes early in order to avoid missing the bus!

Here’s our route for the day – 18km, 400 metres ascent, in about 5 hours including stops.

A short (27 images) slideshow is here, and Reg’s take on events is on this web page.

Two bus rides got us fairly swiftly back to ‘chez Reg’ where afternoon tea with scones went down a treat. Thanks Reg, and Saro, for your hospitality for the second time in a month.

For anyone interested, the next stage of this trail will see our feet on Wednesday 22 February. Let me know if you want details in due course, or get them from the LDWA website.

For completeness, here’s my Garmin Gadget’s version of today’s route:

Missing Hillwalker – Grant Cunliffe

2012-01-24T13:19:00.001Z

I do not take pleasure in posting this entry. Fellow TGO Challenger and ‘Dales Walker’ Heather T-S has asked me to reiterate the message she sent out earlier today. It’s self-explanatory.

“URGENT: A serious message to all those out Winter Walking/Mountaineering or Skiing in the Cairngorms - Missing Hillwalker, Grant Cunliffe.
A local friend, Grant Cunliffe, is missing and despite a full search by several Mountain Rescue Teams and Helicopters he has not yet been found. I gather he left his sleeping bag at Corrour Bothy having gone through the Lairig Ghru, which suggests he expected to use the bothy as a base.

I do not have details of his route but he was due home on Saturday after a couple of days hillwalking. He may have gone through Cornice, be on the Plateau or be in a gully; the current avalanche hazard is considerable in areas with NE to SE aspect (please see www.sais.gov.uk for up-to-date information). He has Winter skills and it seems he had a snow shovel with him (now thought to be unlikely) so he may have had to dig in. It was very windy on Saturday so snow will have blown into lee areas creating some windslab.

The Northern Constabulary have asked that if any member of the public has seen Grant since last Wednesday (18th Jan) to notify them immediately on 01479 810222. Please see http://www.northern.police.uk/News-and-Media/news-item.htm?item_id=PR4115_2012 for more details.

If anyone can post this onto other sites/blogs or forward to others known to be walking in the area, etc I would be grateful. I have posted a message onto TGO Challenge Message Board & Emily has put on TGO’s Facebook & Twitter pages.

It is a shock after just returning from trip to Lochaber myself as know the winds on Saturday were dreadful* so I fear the worst if he was already in trouble.

Best wishes to all

Heather”

I’m sure our thoughts are with Grant and his family, and that we all hope he is found soon.

Martin

* – I also experienced these winds – we were pinned down at 600 metres for a while.

Test

2012-01-24T09:09:00.001Z

It seems that my Google account has been disabled and my blog has been deleted, so you may never read this.

But I’m alive and well, if invisible!

Martin

PS – And if you do read this the blog may even have revived!

Joe’s Cup

2012-01-20T10:30:00.001Z

The old enemy (time) has delayed the write up of my continuing perambulation along the Lancashire Trail with East Lancs LDWA group. I’ll write about that next week, but here’s a highlight from Wednesday’s ‘plod’.

On the moor above the quintessential English village of White Coppice, stands the ruin of Drinkwaters Farm. Norman claims to have known the old farmer – he probably hastened the poor man to an early grave! The farm was so named because of a nearby spring which still flows, rather gently, just below the path from the summit of Great Hill.

Not far from the farm ruins is a small, discrete memorial to a local fell runner, Joe Whitter (1939-1991).

Joe, a member of Wigan Phoenix, was one of Lancashire’s true fell running characters well known for his ultra-distance runs over these moors. The spring at Drinkwaters was used regularly by Joe and his companions on Sunday morning runs. The February 1992 Fellrunner magazine contained an obituary where it was observed

“Joe Whitter was one of those essential characters that make fell running what it is. The Anglezarke Moors will be a poorer place without him and he will be sadly missed. Typically, Joe requested his ashes be scattered on the moors he loved, and there are many fell runners who will now be unable to run past Drinkwaters on Great Hill without remembering him.”

Norman seems now to have taken over custodial duties in relation to the cup, which is now used to collect small donations – here Anne is doing just that, making a donation. With my money! I’m sure it’ll go to a good cause.

Much of the text for this posting was taken from Ian Charters’ excellent running blog – here – I do hope Ian doesn’t mind.

I’m heading north for the weekend in a few minutes, so will be back next week with a fuller report on Wednesday’s walk from Rivington to Abbey Village.

Have a great weekend, everyone.

Five Days of Winter Sunshine

2012-01-19T12:04:00.001Z

The wet weather had to end sometime, and the forecast of fine weather was reliable enough to allow Rick, Stuart, JJ and me to enjoy a superb day in the Lake District on Friday.

The good weather continued until Wednesday morning, when we woke to fine drizzle from a low cloud. I’m slightly ashamed not to have taken better advantage of the fineness, but the Parkrun on Saturday was under clear skies, and JJ joined Sue and me for a very pleasant 10km stroll to Dunham Park and on to Altrincham on Sunday. The header image is from Dunham’s Winter Garden, and there’s a slideshow from that walk/visit here.

Monday saw me take advantage of the continuing fine, frosty conditions via a bike ride to Lymm and back, but the small camera (Canon Ixus 105) that I thought had dried out after its drowning last week decided to remain poorly, so no images of a lovely sunrise. All was well until the sun caught the frozen mud of the towpath. The surface couple of millimetres soon thawed sufficiently to be dragged up by each turn of the wheels. It was like cycling through glue. Glue that was thrown up and gradually enveloped both cycle and rider! So whilst the conditions looked perfect for a ride, they were actually the opposite. To cap it, our outdoor hose was frozen, so cleaning was laboriously attempted (‘achieved’ is not the correct word) using buckets of warm water to swill the mud…

Tuesday was another nice day, that somehow disappeared in a fog of forgotten activity.

And so to Wednesday, and fine drizzle from a low cloud – more of that later…

Friday 13 January 2012 – An Ullscarf Round

2012-01-17T10:30:00.001Z

My plan to pop up Moel Siabod, on this the first day of really good weather of the year, were soon adjusted when I realised I could enjoy a lift with JJ and Rick, whose target was a very pleasant round from Thirlmere, involving Ullscarf and six other minor summits.

After abandoning Rick’s car at a leisure centre between Carnforth and Milnthorpe, we were all transported by Stuart up to Thirlmere, where we drove around for some while looking for free parking. We gave up, but £7 for a day’s parking does seem a bit steep.

Anyway, we ‘booted up’ and set off along the lane to Dobgill, where readers may prefer to park should they follow in our steps (same price, but the short road walk is avoided).

It was a lovely day, and we soon warmed up as we headed steeply up (pictured above) beside a wood in which trees were crashing down in the wake of a Forestry Commission chain saw.

Pausing for breath by a small ring of iron railings that may reveal the site of an old well, with Bella, Stuart’s young collie, the dog posed obediently, fooling Stuart into thinking she would be well behaved today.

Above the high point of the forest the gradient eased as we made our way towards the balanced rock that marked our first summit of the day - Brown Rigg (463m).

Navigation was no problem at all on this bright, sunny day, despite the pathless nature of most of our walk. But it was easy going throughout, and we dropped gently down to Stone Hause before ascending an obvious ramp up to our second summit, Blea Tarn Fell (558m), with fine views towards Skiddaw.

Heading into the sun towards Standing Crag, the following image portrays the terrain and skyscape that was typical of this lovely winter’s day.

After skirting around to the left, Standing Crag (611m) was easily attained. Here’s JJ on the summit, with Bassenthwaite Lake and Skiddaw in the background.

We contoured high above Blea Tarn, gradually rising towards a raven sentry on the Low Saddle of Coldbarrow Fell (656m), where superb views drew the eye north to Watendlath, Derwent Water and Bassenthwaite Lake.

Time for a Team Photo: Martin, Stuart, Bella, Rick, JJ:

Lunch was taken, by four of us, anyway, whilst Bella disobediently foraged for victims on the fellside and finished up with JJ’s tasty scones.

On the road again, we were soon looking back to High Saddle of Coldbarrow Fell (675m), from the ascent of Ullscarf (726m).

Ullscarf summit, our only ‘Wainwright’ of the day, afforded fine views of much of the Lake District, with Great Gable prominent to the west, and nearby Fairfield to the east.

To the south, we looked down to Helm Crag, with Windermere in the distance; Skiddaw and Blencathra vied for attention to the north.

From Ullscarf a pleasant descent over rough ground led to Wythburn Fell, with Seat Sandal and Fairfield directly ahead of us.

Here’s the approach to our seventh and final summit of the day, Wythburn Fell (508m), with the slopes of Helvellyn in the background.

Our descent route on this short round continued north east along the broad rough ridge of Wythburn Fell, skirting a beacon and eventually picking up a path leading from Ullscarf Gill. A right angle turn then took us gently back down to the car park at Wythburn.

From where a short drive led to this excellent rehydration point, starring ‘Collie Wobbles’, which is what Bella may also have had after stern words from Stuart.

Here’s our route - approx 13km, 600m ascent, taking a leisurely 5 hours:

Our 7 summits are marked above as points 2 to 8.

There’s a 37 shot slideshow here.

All in all an excellent first mountain day of the year.

Wednesday 11 January 2012 - Marple Mellor Night Ride with the Manchester Mountain Bikers

2012-01-12T08:52:00.001Z

Last night I enjoyed my second trip out with the Manchester Mountain Bikers, this time on a ‘night ride’, my main reason for getting together with this club.

A ride that lasts from 6.30 to 8.30 pm would more correctly be described as an ‘evening ride’, but it was dark, so who cares. It was also fine, after another ‘mizzly’ day, and thankfully (whilst Liverpool were thrashing City in the rain in central Manchester) all we got by way of precipitation on this ride was a little very light drizzle.

Roman Lakes being closed, we started from Arkwright Road in Marple, taking care not to damage a pristine hedge, and soon after 6.30 I headed off with Walc, today’s leader, pictured above, Keith who I’d met before, and Steve, Adam, Richard, Austin and Poley, down the rutted lane towards Roman Lakes, then up the steep, rough lane to emerge at the golf course in Mellor.

This was the steepest part of the outing, which although ridable in its entirety somehow did seem to be mainly uphill. Luckily Keith was ‘sweeping’ on this ascent, and arrived at the top carrying my rear mudguard and a foot protector that I’d lost without noticing. Thanks Keith. The other foot protector came off (my trail shoes turn out to be two bulky for these protectors, normally worn with trainers) and the mudguard was re-attached, though I spent the rest of the evening nervous about losing it again.

We were soon off again along the pleasant single-track to Brook Bottom and (sadly) past the Fox Inn. Around here we lost Poley, allegedly due to a light failure, but I think he just fancied a drink. We then turned left to complete an interesting circuit via a fudge brownie break and Mellor Moor, with fine views of the lights of the surrounding towns, before regaining the single-track leading back down to the Fox Inn, which again we ignored, this time in favour of a steep but enjoyable descent to Strines Station on another track that hadn’t previously seen the wheels of one of my bikes.

Then it was easily back to the start via the lower track past Roman Lakes, chatting with Keith about bike trips to the Alps and Pyrenees.

I think Walc had intended to ascend back up to go around the golf course and down to Roman Lakes by a more sporting route, but it seems that he missed the turn. I was quite happy with the short figure of eight circuit.

My new lights worked very well, and there was hardly any speed sacrifice due to the darkness, but a minor gear problem meant that I stayed in a low gear throughout the ride in a bid not to get covered in oil, so I tended to bring up the rear, being naturally the slowest on steep ascents and descents as well. Sorry, folks, if I kept you waiting.

Here’s the approximate route – about 14 km, with 350 metres ascent, taking just over 2 hours.

My Garmin Gadget produced the following data:

As noted above, we returned extremely muddy. So when I got home I dumped my track suit straight into a sink to wash off the worst of the mud. Oops, my camera was still in the pocket. It drowned. It will now sit in a bowl of rice for a few days in a (probably futile) bid to resuscitate it. The memory card was undamaged, though, and at least it wasn’t my new camera…

All in all a very pleasant little excursion, despite the camera mishap.

Sunday 8 January 2012 – A Circuit from Taddington and some Strange Encounters

2012-01-09T15:05:00.001Z

With virtually no traffic we arrived early in Taddington, where sadly the Queens Arms wasn't yet open – so most of us had a long wait outside the pub.

Eventually we did get going, and 16 folk stumbled out of Taddington. Mick was particularly eager to be let off his leash.

We were walking into what appeared to be a cold mizzle – it looked set to be a rather dank day.

The approach to Chelmorton took us past the village's former water supply – Bank Pit Spring, known as ‘Illy-Willy Water’, situated by a former lead mining site. It was replaced in the late 19th century by a nearby (now redundant) 10,000 gallon tank.

We passed the Church Inn, ignored by our leader, who pressed on through the gloom.

After a while elevenses were taken beside a convenient wall at Town Head, with fudge, fudge brownies, and Phil's chocolate orange to supplement our diets.

Some grunting noises from behind the wall revealed some chatty residents.

We continued towards Flagg, in unexpected sunshine.

Unfortunately Flagg's hostelry was subjected to a devious by-pass. Our leader, Sue W, had obviously gone tea total…

A skein of Canada Geese flew overhead, whilst a flock of Fieldfare and Redwings browsed in the fields nearby and a Kestrel hovered in the distance.

Our first strange encounter was an unusual mistbow (“a nebulous arc of light”) pictured at the head of this posting, which held our attention for some time and actually remained in position for much of the day.

Monyash was crowded with walkers, so some of us lunched at the War Memorial.

Other members of the group pointedly sat elsewhere; we were being irreverent in their eyes. But we thought the remembered servicemen would delight in the fact that we were using the perfect 'bench' afforded by their memorial to scoff our well earned lunch.

The nearby Bulls Head provided sustenance to those whose flasks had run dry.

The village cross – Monyash…

…dates from about 1340, when the village was granted a charter to hold a weekly market on a Tuesday and a three day fair to celebrate the festival of Holy Trinity. The cross was probably wooden, and mounted on top of the stone shaft. The circular holes in the base are where lead miners tested their drills after sharpening them at the smithy.

The end of the mistbow had the features of a rainbow, but most of its nebulous arc was the white of a mistbow.

We came upon the remains of Magpie Lead Mine, near Sheldon.

According to the Peak District Mines Historical Society’s website:

The earliest recorded workings date from 1740, and the Magpie Mine was one of several such ventures working different veins in the same area. The miners had difficulty in keeping the workings free from water, but by 1824, a Newcomen type pumping engine had been erected on the Main Shaft. This led to the production of 800 tons of lead being mined in 1827, a record that remained unbroken until 1871.

Magpie Mine was also troubled by disputes with neighbouring mines over who had the right to work each vein. Miners from Magpie Mine and Maypitt Mine were both working the Great Redsoil Vein, and would light fires underground to smoke out their opponents. The arguments raged for years, both underground and in the courts. In 1833, three Maypitt miners were suffocated by the fumes, and 24 Magpie miners were put on trial for their murder. Several were freed immediately, and eventually all were acquitted because of the difficulty in identifying the individual culprits, and the provocative actions of the Maypitt miners themselves. It is said that the wives of the "murdered" men put a curse on the mine, and the effect of the disputes was to ruin the mine, which closed in 1835.

In 1839, the Magpie Mine, now incorporating the Great Redsoil workings, was reopened. A number of innovations were introduced, including steel borers, safety hats, safety fuse, and iron winding ropes, as well as a more regular pattern of shift working and payment for the workers. The Main Shaft was deepened to 208 metres, and a 40-inch Cornish pumping engine was installed. When this proved inadequate, the manager proposed to replace it with a 70-inch engine, but the proprietors could not agree. Some felt that a sough (a drainage tunnel) would be a better solution, and appeals to the Duke of Devonshire to adjudicate fell on deaf ears.

Various attempts were made over the next 30 years, but it was not until 1873 that construction of the sough started. It took eight years to drive it from the River Wye near Ashford-in-the-Water to meet the Main Shaft, a distance of 2km.

Production of lead continued on and off into the 20th Century. An optimistic report in 1913 promised reserves of four million tons, which attracted businessmen from Sheffield and Glasgow to join forces with the owner. Their venture closed in 1919, and despite briefly reopening in 1923, nothing happened with the mine until after the Second World War, when attempts to work the mine using submersible electric pumps were made. A new winder - in reality a ship's winch fitted with a diesel engine - and a steel headgear were installed. Despite this more sophisticated equipment, no large body of ore was found, and with the end of the Korean War and the fall in the price of imported lead, the mine closed for the last time in 1954.

Back to the present…

After some uncertainty regarding the route, we passed through a vehicle showroom, where Paul was encouraged to make an offer for this fine machine with an identity crisis.

Sheldon looked a nice village, with home-made produce for sale, and a pub, around which our leader skillfully manoeuvred us.

Our second strange encounter of the day came at the top of Deep Dale, where some mountain bikers were lifting their equipment over a stile.

“They shouldn’t be here” – I could hear mumbling from some members of our group concerning the presence of bicycles on a footpath. Looking down Deep Dale, we could see that it was very steep – hard enough to walk up, let alone push a bike. One of the stragglers was huffing and puffing, and I’m sure I detected a voice emitting “Get a Move On” noises.

Yes indeed, this mountain biker was being encouraged to go more quickly, apparently by way of a combination of such noises and prickly love bites, by no less than a Green-cheeked Conure or Parakeet!

There’s a first for everything I suppose, we’d never seen this before, and those who (unbelievably) missed it didn’t believe the rest of us and claimed that my camera must be loaded with a photoshop tool!

And to be fair to these friendly mountain bikers, although it seemed like a narrow path, they actually had every right to be where they were – on a bridleway.

I've contrived to make the steep descent look deceptively flat!

A nearby information board refers to this area as having been lived in since Neolithic (Stone Age - from 4000-2500BC) times, and a 'Dark Gully where demons lived'.

By the time we had crossed the A6 and ascended to Brushfield, the light was failing and the mizzle had recommenced. I was at the back, or I’d have led a splinter group along the track to the NW of Brushfield, before turning SW down the pleasant path across High Dale, avoiding any tarmac. But in her wisdom our esteemed leader (thanks Sue W) took us down to the A6 for an unpleasant section of tarmac completely at odds with the excellent quality of the rest of the route. Luckily, back at Taddington the pub was open and the beer was good, in front of a roaring fire, for the six of us who enjoyed a relax and a chat before heading home.

Here’s our route – 20km with around 400 metres ascent. It took us 6 hours, of which we were not moving for 2 hours. The section from 8>1 is not recommended (by me at any rate) – I commend the track to the NE of High Dale, then the path across High Dale to Taddington for a very amenable conclusion to a good walk before reaching your 6th hostelry of the day…

There’s a mediocre (44 image) slideshow here, mainly for the benefit of those on the walk.

Here’s what the Garmin gadget recorded – feel free to use this data, Gayle (she forgot to turn her Gg on).

Weather

2012-01-06T23:55:00.000Z

It has been a bit grotty recently in the weather department around Timperley, but today I set off in the dark on my bike during a rare dry interlude.

Sunrise from the Bridgewater Canal was really quite attractive.

Just out of shot is a dredger, clearing silt from the well maintained waterway.

Also just out of shot is my bike, covered in mud.

An inconsiderate thorn then delayed my return home, but at least my hands were warmer pushing the bike than they were riding it. I hadn’t noticed the frost when I left home, lightly clad.

The purpose of the ride was to test my new lights. They work fine, but I think the charger may be faulty – surely the battery should not still register ‘full’ after an hour’s use?

Cycling along the towpath was a bit like riding through treacle. Now I know why I had a five month break from cycling between October and March last year, and a four month break the year before.

Thursday 5 January 2012 – Around Woolston

2012-01-06T22:36:00.001Z

I nipped out yesterday after the wind and rain had passed, for a walk I didn’t think I’d been on before, but it seemed strangely familiar.

I’ve now searched my own blog to find, here, that “a report on the walk that Sue and I enjoyed around Woolston on 18 September (2010)will have to wait, or forever be forgotten.”

Well, until today it was forgotten. It’s not a particularly inspiring walk anyway, but for the record – and there may be folk local to North Cheshire who may enjoy it – here’s the report on my repeat of the same walk.

It’s just a 15-20 minute drive over the Warburton toll bridge and down the A57 to Weir Lane, on the left just beyond Junction 21 of the M6 motorway. A stroll down the ever narrower lane leads past a tarted up lock keeper’s house to the River Mersey. The river used to be the main link between Manchester and the sea, and since the 1700s attempts have been made to adjust its meandering course and make journeys along the river shorter and quicker. So at the end of the lane is the course of a canal, Woolston New Cut, which has only recently been abandoned and silted up. Then a bridge took me over the river, which flows due west over a weir (hence ‘Weir Lane’). This earlier short cut now prevails as the main course of the river. My route took me around a large curve and past a suspension bridge that now merely leads to an uninhabited island due to the shortcut having been dug.

It’s not a good time of year for wild flowers, but there was plenty of Gorse (Ulex europaeus) – pictured above.

The old course of the river leads right next to the embankment of the final solution for navigation to Manchester – the Manchester Ship Canal, dug in the 1890s. The Mersey feeds into the canal in Salford, but by now has departed again on its parallel journey to the nearby coast. My route headed alongside the Ship Canal for a while, as far as Latchford Locks, and this view to the west, the bridges in Warrington being either swing bridges or Very High Bridges. Not many ships venture upstream here nowadays.

There’s quite some height in those lock gates – a good 20-30 feet.

Latchford Locks is the scene of much new house building, with just a few terraced cottages remaining from the days when they were probably situated across the road from a factory.

There are playing fields, and pathways strewn with unsightly litter. The authorities here seem to have given up their losing battle with litter. Back beside the Mersey, a well protected pipe bridge precedes a near 180 degree bend in the river that leads eventually to Kingsway Bridge, near the centre of Warrington.

Across the bridge, my route took me down the true right bank of the river, with the winter sunshine bathing the scene with unfamiliar light.

I was supposedly following the route of the Mersey Way, a footpath that leads from the east of Warrington for about 35 km to the Mersey Estuary. Like many things Liverpudlian, this may have been a good idea at the time, with a fair sized budget, but no provision seems to have been for maintenance of the facility. So nowadays the information boards are blank, the paths are overgrown, signs are missing, benches and picnic tables are rotting, and litter remains uncollected.

However, that hasn’t discouraged the wildlife – perhaps the opposite - there’s lots of it around here, with Woolston Eyes, a major dumping ground near the start of the walk for silt from the Ship Canal, providing artificial marshlands for huge flocks of geese, ducks, waders and gulls.

A family of Tufted Ducks gathered protectively on the river.

After a tricky but avoidable section of path, where recent winds had blown the robust but light and hollow stems of what I assumed had once been Himalayan Balsam across the path, another bend in the river hailed the appearance of the remains of Woolston New Cut, the ‘short cut’ canal mentioned earlier. My path took me back to Weir Lane via the towpath.

There’s a bit of water at the western end of the Cut.

Soon an avenue of young trees leads off into the distance, with no sign of any water. Nor were there many people about. Despite being near the centre of a large town, I encountered just two dog walkers in over two hours of walking.

The water has gone, but the cut has been taken over by several acres of bulrushes as we approach Weir Lane and the end of this short stroll in the sunshine.

Here’s the route – 12 km with very little ascent, taking 2 to 3 hours.

There’s a slideshow here, for anyone who wants to learn a little more about this area.

The TGO Challenge 2012

2012-01-05T10:08:00.001Z

Here’s a first glimpse of the route across Scotland, from Ardrishaig to Aberdeen, that Sue and I have plotted for this year’s TGO Challenge. It was vetted, a few weeks ago, by Alan Hardy, who made some helpful observations as to antiquities we may encounter en route, but no adjustments to the straightforward route were necessary.

It’s quite long, at almost 400 km (250 miles) nearly 50 km longer than we’ve done before, but with only about 11,500 metres of ascent it’s rather less undulating than any of my/our previous crossings. Some 20 ‘hills’ are included, but some of these are small protuberances that don’t appear on any ‘list’, and just 2 Munros and 1 Corbett are planned. One of the Munros is Schiehallion, on 17 May, in relation to which I’ve agreed to write a short essay for the Munro Society, who are compiling a 10th Anniversary Anthology of ascents of all the Munros in the period from 1st January to 30th September 2012. So we’ll be pleased to see anyone up there around 11.30 to 12.30 on 17 May. Medical Supplies and Shortbread will be available. You could even leg it over from Alan Sloman’s cheese and wine party a couple of days earlier, but we’ll be setting off from Bunrannoch House at around 8 am.

I’ve still not tidied up the blog postings and photos from last year’s Challenge, but the following images provide a flavour.

Firstly, after walking 30 km up Glen Feshie and over to the Linn of Dee, my companion, ‘Poor Michael’, collapsed in a heap, to be greeted by Judith Barnes, on her way down to Mar Lodge. “Where are you going?” asked Judith, who then seemed puzzled by my response - “Ballater”, as we headed up Glen Lui towards Derry Lodge!

Cheese and wine features strongly on the Challenge, and the participation of Mr Sloman is not compulsory. A few days later, at Water of Aven (near Mount Battock) ‘Poor Michael’ and I were joined by Roger Boston, and brother and sister, Markus and Silke – all the way from Austria, for an impromptu gathering in blinding sunshine at ‘Chez Phreerunner’.

Happy Days – two of many…

Our 2011 route plan, and links to all my TGO Challenge routes and reports, albeit requiring a bit of editing, can be found here.

Now then, the rain is easing; where shall I go today?

2012 – A Gentle Start

2012-01-04T11:03:00.001Z

Given that the weather has been pretty atrocious, and the forecast was gloomy, Sue and I decided on a rare New Year’s Day lie in, rather than our usual trip to somewhere high. There seemed little point in using a tank of petrol to get to the top of some hill or other where we would be immersed in view inhibiting clag.

New Year’s Eve saw us lunching together with the pixies (who are now probably too old to appreciate that description) and Kate and Jacob, now eight months. Those of you who can read upside down may correctly surmise that Jake’s mother is an optimistic mathematician.

The little boy becomes more interesting by the day…

Anyway, with mum back at work, he’ll have to fend for himself over the coming months. I’m sure he’ll manage fine. There’s a very small slideshow here.

After the NYD lie-in, we did of course observe our tradition of a walk, even if no hills were to be involved, and we were pleased to be joined by JJ for a stroll down the Bridgewater Canal and the disused Warrington and Altrincham Junction Railway as far as Warburton.

We started by lingering on Timperley Bridge whilst JJ finished his breakfast at home. So this is the first image of 2012. The first of many!?

This gent appeared to be enjoying his NYD ‘sail’.

JJ duly joined us for the 9km stroll to the Saracens Head, our designated port of call for lunch and the afternoon.

We arrived just as the rain started.

It rained all afternoon. We didn’t get wet. Not externally, anyway. This was a traditional ‘session and sing’ accompanied by Hob Goblin.

There were 30 to 40 folk in attendance, many of them, like Richard (below) and JJ, musicians and singers.

A fair old dent was made in the stocks of Hob Goblin, and there was a moving tribute to JJ’s mum, a stalwart member of this fraternity, who sadly passed away on Christmas Day.

Darkness fell, the rain stopped, the moon came out, and the three of us stumbled back to Timperley without recourse to any other means of illumination.

It had been an excellent start to the New Year.

Yesterday a stroll into the village for provisions revealed a gaping abyss in the local retail sector.

Ian Moores, greengrocers, was empty, with To Let signs outside. Whilst it wasn’t the finest of its type, this shop did provide a useful local service. It’s a sad loss. The nearby Co-op now needs to up its game.

Luckily, we do still have an ironmongers and ‘DIY’ shop, which apparently opened in 1907. I wonder how much longer it will survive. And there’s a bank and an excellent butcher.

Timperley was once the home of John Arnold, a stonemason. He was landlord of this pub, which dates from 1840.

It’s also known as ‘The Naked Child’, but that’s another story.

HAPPY NEW YEAR, everyone.

John Towers, and Happy Days on the TGO Challenge

2012-01-03T10:20:00.001Z

2011 ended on the sad note of John Towers’ death on 13 December and his funeral in Giggleswick on 30 December. It seemed no time at all since Graham and Sue Brookes and I had waved goodbye to him and Janet on 31 October after the annual TGO Challengers’ reunion in Fort William.

John had walked across Scotland 14 times on the TGO Challenge, with his twin brother David who has 21 crossings to his credit . The ‘Towers Twins’ are pictured above, with John on David’s right, possibly on the first occasion that I encountered them, at Inverness railway station on 8 May 2008. They are flanked by Bernard and Margaret Fowkes, who this year plan to complete their 20th TGO Challenge, at the ages of 83 and 80 respectively.

The TGO Challenge is populated by an ageing community, and it’s very sad when members of that community are lost. John had enjoyed a lifetime of achievements, but what came across at his funeral was a feeling that of all the considerable things he had achieved and enjoyed in his 79 years, the camaraderie and adventure (and indeed ‘Challenge’) of his annual walk across Scotland with his twin brother came very high up the list.

John was given a fine send off.

Andy Howell has written a lovely anecdotal tribute to John, here. The TGO Challenge message board also has tributes from folk who knew John much better than I did.

Thursday 29 December 2011 – Screaming Cats and extra bits – a bike ride

2012-01-02T15:21:00.001Z

I’ve recently joined the Manchester Mountain Bikers club as a guest rider, principally in order to try some night riding, where for safety reasons it’s probably better to be part of a group. However, the weather has been so dismal that I’ve not been tempted to desert the comfort of the settee, and anyway many of the night rides are described as ‘fast-paced’ so probably not for me.

However, I noticed this ‘Screaming Cats’ ride and decided to get a bike out for the first time in a month. It would be Stumpy’s (my ‘new’ bike) first ‘proper’ trip.

Leader Keith advertised the route as “16 miles - usual Screaming Cats route with an extra loop around Knotbury, nice cheeky trail through quarry with a rocky switchback and chute, followed by a techy climb out of quarry, road section around top then fast techy descent to 3 Shires Head . Lunch, then nasty climb, rejoin cats route at top of Cumberland Clough then last climb and through Macc Forest to pub/cars.”

I’d not heard of the ‘Screaming Cats’ route before, but I don’t think Keith had heard of the ‘Big Macc Ramble’, which I also wrote about here. Basically, Screaming Cats is a shorter version of the Big Macc Ramble, omitting the descent to Langley and the long ascent to Charity Lane. But Keith’s extension makes his route a bit longer than the Big Macc Ramble.

The forecast predicted ‘showers at first, clearing by mid morning’ – pretty handy for a mid morning meet, and as five strangers assembled outside the Leather’s Smithy with their bikes the showers had indeed stopped. But we took so long to get going that the rain decided it had taken a long enough break, so it further delayed us as waterproofs were donned. They remained in place for the next five hours.

My usual start from here involves a relaxing descent to Langley and some pleasant tracks in the shadow of Tegg’s Nose before the ascent to Walker Barn and Charity Lane. Keith’s route was a bit more brutal, and we soon spread out as one by one we felt the effects of our morning coffees and the lack of facilities at the start.

Despite being strangers, this ride felt like being out with long-standing mates. There was a bit of waiting around for various reasons, and although I was clearly the slowest rider of the group I didn’t keep the others waiting for long, and everyone seemed more than happy to pause every now and then.

The views across to Shining Tor and the Cat & Fiddle from the top of Charity Lane were not exceptional today (see link to slideshow later) but at least the cloud wasn’t down, it wasn’t raining too hard, and I could educate the others by way of pointing out the highest place in Cheshire (Shining Tor).

Continuing along the familiar route to Macclesfield Forest and Bottom-of-the-Oven that ‘Screaming Cats’ shares with the ‘Big Macc Ramble’, Keith provided some useful comments about riding style on steep descents. I can’t say I’m into technical riding, and I’ve certainly never received any tuition, but this was the first time I’d ridden these loose rocky tracks on a bike with suspension, and I have to confess I found it considerably easier and quicker than with the old Shogun bike.

We were soon on the long road ascent to join the A537 near the Peak View Tea Rooms, from where I hadn’t realised that a good trail leads directly to the Cat & Fiddle, cutting out a hairpin on the busy main road. Thanks Keith, I won’t be cycling that section of road again.

By now it was somewhat inclement in the weather department, but we unanimously declined the dubious warmth of the draughty interior of the Cat & Fiddle in favour of a blow across Danebower Hollow with the wind vaguely behind us.

“We are all crazy” commented a couple of walkers, hanging onto their hats for dear life as I stopped nearby to collect a mudguard that had been expelled from the bike by an unexpected gust of wind.

“Do you want to do the 5-6 mile extension, or continue around the 12 mile Screaming Cats route?” asked Keith. If there were any dissenters, they kept quiet. I was firm with my choice – the extension was what I’d really come for. Everyone seemed happy enough despite the increasing frequency and intensity of the showers, and we were soon enjoying a technical descent into Danebower Quarries. I walked – I didn’t want to damage myself on this first trip with the club. The slideshow has some images and videos of the quarry descent and ford (which all bar Martin O walked across).

Then we headed along an excellent path above Knotbury, taking an unexpected turn left up the hill to the pub and café at Flash Bar. I was lagging behind and thought that Keith had taken pity on Martin O (soaking wet and cold) and brought us slightly off route to the warmth of the café. But no! “Oops!” exclaimed our leader, and headed off back down the hill without another word. Having regained the planned route, another enjoyable descent brought us to our designated lunch stop – Three Shires Head. Martin O paced up and down in a futile effort to get warm – he eventually snatched my camera and took some nice pictures of the water, the best of which is the lower of those below. Meanwhile, here’s Keith, like the rest of us, chomping through a butty.

Whilst I took a few images on the ascent from Three Shires Head – nobody managed this tough climb over loose rocks without having to dismount – the weather closed in for the rest of the ride and the camera was moved to a more waterproof location. The descent to Cumberland Cottage and the road at Clough House was so much easier with suspension – a totally different experience from the one I’m used to – but it did take us rather a long time. That was thanks to a problem with Graham’s brakes that Keith eventually fixed, but not before Julian and Martin O had spent much of the 40 minute delay cowering behind a dry stone wall in an attempt to shield themselves from the sheeting rain, sleet and hail. The conditions were less than pleasant.

The ‘usual’ route through Macc Forest was eschewed in a bid to get back to the cars before dark, and whilst a very slow vehicle did its best to foil us on the tarmac descent, we did all succeed in that objective.

The Leather’s Smithy was full of people, but its doors were locked, so with several riders wanting their hot baths as quickly as possible, we gave the pub a miss, heading off home but leaving Martin O sitting in his car in an attempt to thaw out. Perhaps he’s still there!

There’s a 24 image slideshow here. Note that the video captions may be out of sync, due to a problem with Picasa.

Here’s our route - approx 28km (18 miles) with 700 metres ascent in about 3 hours riding time, taking us a very leisurely nearly 5 hours in total.

Here’s the ‘report’ from my Garmin gadget:

Thanks for your company, everyone. I really enjoyed this first trip out with the MMB club.

Tuesday 20 December 2011 – An Evening Stroll up Shutlingsloe

2011-12-28T23:29:00.001Z

OK, I’m a bit behind. But I’ve tried to be sociable over Christmas, so with house guests for five days this blog posting has taken a back seat. And son Mike’s continuing efforts to decorate his house have drawn a little help from me, probably just wanting to appear to be useful. I have also to apologise to him for dragging him out on his first run, let alone Parkrun, on Christmas Eve. “They were laughing at me running in jeans” he commented about the marshals, “and I got fed up of being overtaken by Father Christmas’s.”

“I’m going to adjust my pace next Saturday” he added, having realised that doing the first of the five kilometres in 4 mins 30 seconds probably wasn’t the most sensible pace to start your first ever run.

Anyway, I’ve already mentioned last year’s version of this walk up Shutlingsloe (here), and the year before (here), and the year before that even got a proper report! as did the year before that – here – in the early days of this blog.

This year Colin, fairly fresh to blogging, quickly wrote about this year’s potter up Shutlingsloe (here), which only took place as a result of a petition from big Andrew (aka Notchy). So, with kind permission from Colin, and just a smidge of editing, here’s what he thought of it.

“There’s always first time for everything. Last night it was one of Martin and Sue’s evening walks. Martin has said in the past that sometimes it will only be about 3 people. Well last night it was 17.
I think Martin ran out of fingers to count us in the dark and with everyone bobbing about in the car park. Head touches beamed in to your eyes. I am sure he had to do a few recounts. (Ed: yes, Colin, arriving late didn’t help our cause, and I was dazzled by both the sudden popularity of this annual event following the protest after it was deleted from our programme, and by all the Petzls shining in my face.)

Anyway we all set off on easy paths up onto Shutlingsloe above Macclesfield. At 506m (1660ft) it’s a steep sided hill and sometimes described as the Matterhorn of Cheshire. It is the third highest peak.

The weather was damp with low cloud. On reaching the top Martin bound up onto the Twig (sic) point for his photo in the cloud before leaping back down to his rucksack.

From where he produced Fudge and Fudge Brownies, and hot mint tea. And a box of Rocky Roads appeared from Diana’s bag. We wouldn’t go hungry or thirsty! After much appropriate jollity, JJ then gathered everyone around, for us to blast out the We Wish You a Merry Christmas song.

Brownie Any One?

Fudge anyone?

After quite some time on the top, it wasn’t just the children who were getting cold, so it was time to head back down to the car park where those with children went home and the rest of us gathered in the Leather’s Smithy down the road. Where I must say the light Christmas ale was very nice.

Very Nice.

Excellent 2hour, 5km walk.”

Thank you Colin, for these words and pictures.

Happy Christmas!

2011-12-24T22:22:00.001Z

Wishing all our readers a very Happy Christmas.

Just in case anyone has a desire to follow a summary of what we’ve been up to this year, we’ve written a short piece, mainly for family, here.

Have a Good One….

Tuesday 13 December 2011 – The Lancashire Trail (Part 3) – Coppull Moor to Horwich

2011-12-21T11:00:00.001Z

"There will be mud" promised Reg, as we set off east from Coppull along an asphalt track.

Seven old codgers had successfully rendezvoused more or less where we left off on 9 November, despite nearly abandoning Don in the gents at Wigan Bus Station!

R Norman, who at the tender age of 59 is still too young to be a fully paid up ‘Plodder’ took up his usual position as ‘Font of all Knowledge’. “Shouldn’t that be Fount of all Knowledge” – quipped some wag. Sharp as ever, Norman’s response was clear:

“Font and fount can both be used in that phrase” he explained…
”font had, and has, another life related ecumenical matters, as in ‘baptismal font’, and was taken over from the Latin use of fons, fountain, whereas fount came to English through the Old French font, derived from the same Latin word. I can’t explain the vowel change!”

Well, we were shocked. None of us had previously experienced Norman failing to explain something!

Anyway, I digress, we need to move on to explain the header picture – over to you, Norman…

"This is 'Hic-Bibi Brook'" he spluttered "one of very few rivers that runs inland from its source." "What?" chorused the audience.

"Hic Bibi - it's a spring as well; Oliver Cromwell refreshed himself here when advancing south after the battle of Preston in 1648. A stone inscribed "Hic Bibi" ("Here I Drank") marks the site” he expounded.

”Look, there’s the plaque placed there by old Oliver in 1648.”

“The spring was turned into Seven Stars Brook to feed Wigan Corporation water supply” muttered Reg, “and that plaque has weathered well, hasn’t it Norman?”.

[There are more details in Reg’s report, here]

That quietened our ‘font’, and we pottered casually across some Lancashire fields, heading east, in search of mud.

Suddenly Norman spotted something and dashed off. (See picture below) “It’s a squirrel” we expected him to inform us. But no, his waggly arm was suffering from limpitude. He really meant to point out the bridge, just above his right hand, through which a mineral line used to carry coal tubs, as well as produce from the Hic-Bibi brick works, to the main railway.

The gathered crowd listened in amazement as Norman told us about the long history of Coppull.

“There was even a pub called The Railway Hotel” droned Norman “where the landlord’s son was a qualified dentist and teeth were extracted on the premises, a glass of port being included in the charge.”

All this talk, especially the references to pubs, had engendered a great thirst, resulting in one of our number, on spotting the Crown, rushing ahead and insisting on sustenance, before being dragged out by his leader.

We came upon some reservoirs, Worthington Lakes, constructed in the 1890’s to provide water for the print works and other local industries, on this typically December day - dull, with brighter interludes. One such interlude was chosen for elevenses in the sun. Norman got the bench as all that talking had made him feel a little geriatric. That didn't stop him from guzzling fudge brownies!

Luckily, we found a bridge to cross the raging River Douglas.

We paused outside the fine old Manor House that accommodates Wigan Golf Club. The 12th century moat used to be home to black swans, but now only white mute swans harvest the weed. Tales were told by Reg and Norman of how ferocious guardians of the Golf Club usually shoo away walkers curious about the history of the building, Arley Hall, but today nobody spotted the small group of pensioners pausing in admiration before the front door of the golfing sanctuary.

It was ladies day.

We soon crossed the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, with a familiar view to East Lancs LDWA members, on our way to Little Scotland.

Reg's walks traditionally include moments of indecision, especially when the back of R Norman's hand isn't in sight.

The uncertainty resolved, we pressed on in our relentless search for mud, passing through Blackrod village, which has a long history and is home to some lovely stone cottages.

A huge stallion blocked our way, and this chap who appeared to have been enjoying rolling in something. Could that be mud?

Yes, of course. Reg sighed with relief as his promise came true and the muddy water gurgled through the fabric of his trail shoes.

After crossing the M61, we came to a quite substantial brook, the infant River Douglas, that emanates from the reservoir at Rivington.

The weather had reverted to ‘Dull December’ as we paused to ponder the view towards Rivington Pike and the masts atop Winter Hill.

Our morning’s exercise concluded along a stretch of path that was recently obliterated by a new housing development. This didn’t go down well in some quarters. Action was taken. Norman was involved. The right of way has been reinstated...

...at the expense of someone's garden.

The walk finished at SD 631 120, on the outskirts of Horwich, where the resident wallabies were reluctant to venture out of their warm house to pose for seven strangers. So five of us adjourned to Reg’s house whilst Jim and Bernard shot off to deal with pressing commitments.

The meal provided by Reg’s wife, Saro, was exceptional – a fine way to conclude the season’s ‘Plods’ – thank you very much.

Here's today's route, just 10km with about 150 metres ascent in 3 hours, followed by that excellent lunch at Reg's house. Brilliant!

We will reconvene for stage 4 on Wednesday 18 January – Reg will be sending out more precise details in the New Year.

Reg’s more accurate report on this walk, with some more historical titbits, is on this web page, and my 32 photos are here.

The excursion took place over a week ago, and apart from Saro’s meal my recollection of it is a bit hazy. I hope I haven’t slandered anyone!

Sunday 11 December 2011 – A Christmas Walk around Hartington

2011-12-16T07:32:00.001Z

It’s traditional for me to organise a ‘Christmas Walk’ at this time of the year, involving a long lunch stop at a suitable hostelry.

This year I left it very late to organise, but that didn’t seem to matter as the turnout of thirty people was our best ever, and the route and hostelry turned out to be well chosen.

Friends turned up from far and wide – from Wokingham to Preston and Liverpool (some of whom we hadn’t seen since last year’s Christmas Walk), so the choice of the large lay-by on the A515 just south of Rivendale Caravan Park turned out to be a good rendezvous point.

Despite much chatting and exchanging of Christmas cards, car keys being lost and found, boots and gaiters being donned, etc, etc, at 10am we set off on a cloudy morning, bang on time, thereby blowing my expected timings by a good fifteen minutes.

After a short spell on the windswept, and pretty cool (in a cold sort of way) and exposed trackbed of the Buxton to Ashbourne railway line, now known as the Tissington Trail, we deserted the firm surface in favour of softer going through some well hydrated fields.

Those pictured above are strolling unknowingly towards a sharp descent to the River Dove. It’s slithery and boggy at this time of year, so it was a relief to be able to survey my charges from a precarious branch and discover that I was probably the only one of us who had attempted to go bog-diving.

A shower commenced. Waterproofs were scrambled from the depths of rucksacks amid gasps of surprise that it should be so inclement on one of my walks, which are renowned for their sunny ambience.

A sudden gust distracted us.

This heron had flapped in for its lunch.

The others were engrossed with watching the heron, but I spotted a tree creeper and looked up to spy …. sunshine?

It didn’t last for long. I think most others missed it!

We paused for tea, coffee, shortbread and brownies – plenty for everyone, luckily, but no photos as that black cloud got us.

We continued on along Wolfscote Dale. It was quite muddy. Most places in the Peak District are muddy just now.

By and by we reached our lunch stop. Half an hour early. The Charles Cotton Hotel*.

I thought we’d have to wait for our lunch, which had been pre ordered from their excellent Christmas menu. But the operation was as slick as I’ve seen on such an occasion. They were happy to serve us as soon as we were ready to eat.

Really excellent service – here are just a few of us pausing between courses. The steamed up windows behind us mask a downpour.

After a few stern words with The Boss, and a carefully cast spell, I popped out to test that it had brought the desired effect. Success!

But by the time everyone had ‘booted up’, the spell was diminished, if not broken. At least the rain didn’t return until the moment we set off for home in the cars.

Meanwhile, these onlookers may have had wet feet….

…as the road had flooded at Dale End.

A right turn beyond the church in Biggin led us past a camp site and into fields, where much to our surprise the season’s lambing had started. This one had clearly only just been born.

The final ascent of the day took us up the railway embankment built by the London & North Western Railway Company, and onto the track that was opened for trains in 1899. Expresses from Manchester to London used to fly down this line, and until after the Second World War there was a daily delivery of Peak District milk to London.

The line was closed in the 1960s, following which the trackbed was removed and the route was converted into a trail for walkers, cyclists and horse riders. The experimental scheme was one of the first of its type, and since opening to the public in June 1971 it has been a great success.

As soon as we stepped off the bright track surface we realised it was almost dark – but torches weren’t required for the last few metres back into our lay-by, and at around 4pm we all said our farewells and pottered off to our respective homes, leaving Don with a recalcitrant car seat that probably crippled him on the drive back to Preston. We hope you got home ok, Don, albeit perhaps with a modicum of spinal damage.

Readers may have noticed a little ‘poetic license’ in this report. If not, you certainly will if you view the slideshow – it has a few more images taken on this route, which is shown below – 16km with about 280 metres ascent.

For a more accurate report, see Alan R’s excellent version of events, ‘The Invasion of Hartington’ or Gayle’s unstintingly precise recollection of ‘Martin & Sue’s Christmas Walk’. The slideshow is here.

There’s a bit more information on my ‘planning’ page, here.

* Here’s what Alan R discovered about Charles Cotton – I hope you don’t mind me using this, Alan:

“Charles Cotton ( April 28, 1630 – February 16, 1687), lived at Beresford Hall, now demolished, wrote, with his great friend Izaak Walton, a remarkable book about 17th century rural England called ‘The Compleat Angler’. No other English language book, other than the Bible and Book of Common Prayer, has been reprinted more times. He shared his time between an extravagant life style in London society with the quieter pleasures of his home and the Peak District. That is when his creditors were not chasing him - then it is said he hid in a cave in Beresford Dale. The fishing lodge he built still remains on private land in Beresford Dale, but can be seen from a distance when approaching the dale.”

A picture in the ladies powder room illustrates the perils of ‘Fly’ fishing – Both Alan and Gayle feature that in their blog postings.

Finally, in answer to Gayle’s ‘Same again next year?’ question, the answer is yes, on Sunday 16 December 2012 (unless there is overwhelming demand for 9 December). The Charles Cotton Hotel performed so well that I think we should, subject to cost, return there, but perhaps start from Longnor (though this year’s route can’t really be bettered). If anyone has strong views, let me know.

Rucksacks from Berghaus

2011-12-15T10:43:00.001Z

A couple of rucksacks have arrived from Berghaus.

Pictured above, they are Freeflow 20 day sacks, featuring Berghaus’s Freeflow IV backsystem, breathable shoulder straps and a front pocket that doubles as a 2 litre hydration reservoir pouch. The swing tags also broadcast an ‘integrated raincover that is stowed away in the top lid’. This must be a secret pocket that I can’t find, and as the rucksacks don’t have a lid as such I would recommend the use of a waterproof liner such as a 22 litre one from Bob and Rose.

These look to be excellent little day sacks, made from Ardura 420D fabric and weighing in at just under 900 grammes. I see lots of them in use on the trails. The size is a bit small for all the junk I tend to carry around, so I’ve found a couple of grateful recipients who will report back on their performance in due course. Thanks Jenny and Sue.

The Freeflow 20 retails at around £55 from Berghaus, but costs rather less from numerous retailers. The current specification is here.

The full range of Berghaus daysacks is here, and their larger packs are here, available from many sources.

Friday 9 December 2011 – White Nancy

2011-12-10T22:30:00.001Z

“I’ve never been up to White Nancy” remarked Andrew as we strolled along the Saddle of Kerridge last night. This was as good an opportunity as any for his first visit, though the views weren’t as good as we’d expected.

We had met as arranged in the Vale Inn, which has transformed itself in recent times to a most acceptable establishment with fine ale that has travelled all of a few feet from the in-house brewery.

Our journey from Manchester had been under a full moon, as the day’s showery weather had moved to the north, or so we thought. We were expecting a chilly but fine outing – after strolling a couple of kilometres down the Macclesfield Canal, we were to ascend Kerridge Hill for a potter along the Saddle to White Nancy, before descending steep steps to what used to be the Redway Tavern (now a private house) and back to the Vale through the streets of Bollington.

As we supped our fine ale we noticed a change in the colour of the clothing of new customers to the pub. Everyone was dressed in white! On closer inspection, everything outside had turned white, and they were just bringing it in with them.

Unperturbed, even though one of our party had failed to bring weatherproof clothing, we embarked on our stroll. We didn’t see the full moon as we spent the entire duration of this 8 km, 2 hour walk, in a blizzard. It was surprisingly enjoyable. Our first taste of winter.

Eventually we turned up at White Nancy, next to which Sue and Andrew are pictured above. I could refer you to Wikipedia, but I’ll save you the ‘click’ and tell you about White Nancy here.

The structure was built in 1817 by John Gaskell junior of North End Farm to commemorate the victory at the Battle of Waterloo. It originally had an entrance to a single room which was furnished with stone benches and a central round stone table, but the entrance is now blocked. It has been described as a summer house or a folly.

In the mid-1940s, the Royal Signal Corps Trials Unit based at Catterick would apparently drive a truck-mounted dish-shaped transmitter/receiver up to White Nancy, where they tested cathode-ray tube transmission and reception (data-based, not images), to a mobile receiving station on another truck. The receiver would be driven further and further south over time, until eventually the lads at White Nancy were sending a signal to the south coast of the country. Locals told the signalers that the landmark was named after the lead horse that had transported all the materials for the building of the folly.

White Nancy is circular in plan with its shape described as that of a sugar loaf, and is surmounted with a ball finial. It is built in sandstone rubble which has been rendered and painted. It is about 18 feet (5 m) high. Stone paving has been laid around its base which is inscribed with the points of the compass.

According to the Wikipedia entry, White Nancy was unpainted until at least 1925, since when it has been painted in a number of different colours over the years, most commonly in white. In 2005 vandals painted it partly in pink. In March 2009 it was repainted in white with the ball finial in black. As you can see from the picture, it now sports a large poppy – that was certainly not there when we visited the spot on 10 November 2010.

Just in case you are interested, here’s our approximate route – we (I) cocked up at the end, by taking two sides of a triangle:

Never mind, we were pretty wet by then anyway…

Wolfscote Dale

2011-12-07T21:16:00.001Z

Hopefully the sun will shine like this on Sunday…

Gear Review: Golite Quest Rucksack

2011-12-06T21:51:00.001Z

I bought this backpacking rucksack in October 2007, having enjoyed the comfort of a Karrimor Jaguar sack for many years. The Quest, weighing in at 1400gm, provided a 600gm saving over the Jaguar. That saving comes from the use of lighter, more fragile, materials. Hence the Quest lasted until May 2011 – three and a half years – whereas the Jaguar shows no signs of wearing out other than a bit of loose stitching on the pockets.

I reported on my purchase of the Quest here. Here’s what it looked like new:

It’s still available from Bob and Rose at backpackinglight.co.uk – here, for a very good price.

The rucksack served me well for the equivalent of about four months’ continuous use with full camping gear, ranging from 14 to 20 kilos. My main gripe, compared with the Jaguar, is that it doesn’t have a separate lower compartment, but I did more or less overcome that problem on this year’s TGO Challenge by packing my tent in the front pocket instead of at the bottom of the rucksack. The latter system involved packing the tent before everything else – not the best approach when it’s raining.

A problem arose on one trip, whereby (over) tightening of the chest strap left me with a ‘frozen shoulder’ that took 18 months to recover. I have not used a chest strap since that incident.

Otherwise, once properly adjusted to my back, the rucksack was excellent, until on this year’s TGO Challenge walk across Scotland both sides of the hip belt decided to attempt to part company with the body of the rucksack.

I really do need to be confident of having a secure hip belt in position when backpacking, so this irreparable damage, which I nursed carefully to the end of the Challenge, signaled the death knell of the Quest.

On close inspection, the rest of the sack was looking pretty battered, with several punctures in the thin material, as well as one or two little tears, similar in nature to those you may find in an old pair of overtrousers that have been used for sitting on sharp rocks, or glissading.

Whilst the lid pocket maintained its integrity, the fabric below the zip for that pocket completely split away from the zipper.

Design
The Quest’s large main compartment sits below a removable, floating lid with a large and easily accessible zipped pocket. Two hip belt pockets take care of small items, plus a large pocket on the front that’s big enough to take a tent. Golite rates this pack at 25 and 72 litres, where the lower volume refers to its compressed size after you’ve pulled tight the quick-release straps, and clipped the slightly fiddly clips on the bottom. (I never found a need to faff with this.) Other features include a couple of mesh wand pockets, a hydration system pocket and axe/pole attachments. The Quest goes for a minimalist, non-adjustable back system design in either medium or large, so it’s important to buy the right size. It’s made from high-density polyethylene with mouldable aluminium stays and so offers some customisation. The hip belt’s supporting fins might be short on larger waists.

On the hill
At 72 litres the Golite Quest is pretty large, though it doesn’t necessarily feel so, thanks to decent compression straps, and it’s also competitively light. The simple back system proved comfortable with heavy loads as the aluminium rods transferred the weight efficiently to the well-padded hip belt. I did appreciate the mesh pockets on the hip belt as they offered space for a wallet and phone. In terms of packing, the large main compartment, the decent lid pocket and the large pocket on the front of the sack offered sufficient options for multi-day trips, subject to my personal gripe about not being able to pack my wet tent at the bottom of the sack without removing everything else. I didn’t really use the upper clipable side compression straps, which, in conjunction with the wand pockets, could be good for tent poles and a sleeping mat for people who (unlike me) don’t like to keep those items inside the sack. I used these wand pockets more or less exclusively for water bottles.

Here is some more technical stuff, and my conclusions:

Materials:

Tier 1 Recycled 210 Denier Nylon Velocity™; Tier 1 Recycled 210 Denier Nylon Double Ripstop; High-Void Polyester Mesh

Sizes: (see here for advice on how to measure your back length)

Medium Size; Suit back length 17.5 - 19.5 Inches - Weight 1450g - Maximum Load 20kg - Maximum Volume 72lt - Compact Volume 25lt
Large Size; Suit back length 19.5 - 21.5 Inches - Weight 1500g - Maximum Load 20kg - Maximum Volume 76lt - Compact Volume 26lt

Quoted Features (current model):

Size-specific anatomically molded hip-belt with quick-access zippered stretch pockets
High-void meshes on back panel and shoulder harness move moisture quickly and promote rapid drying
S-contoured back panel with HDPE frame sheet and 2 aluminum stays mimic shape of the spine and are customizable for a dialed-in fit
Proprietary ComPACKtor™ system converts capacity incredibly efficiently
Sculpted lid with body-side zipper access detaches to shed 94 grams
Two side stretch pockets hold 1L bottles + trekking poles
Side compression straps with quick release buckles convert to front attachment system for sleeping pads, snowboards, snowshoes, etc.
Top compression strap and load lifters control and transfer weight effectively
Twin ice axe loops and handle straps
Internal stretch woven hydration sleeve with righty and lefty hydration tube ports
Adjustable sternum strap with whistle

Practical Use:

I’ve used this rucksack for backpacking, and it gave excellent service for three years before the hip belt failed
For anything less than a full blown backpacking trip with tent and gear, a smaller rucksack would probably suit most people
I was disappointed with the rucksack’s poor durability

Price:

RRP is currently £140, but discounts of at least 10% should be available

Alternatives:

There are numerous alternatives, so much dependent upon personal requirements and preferences that I will leave readers to take their own counsel. However, I can from personal experience recommend a slightly smaller rucksack, the Lowe Alpine Nanon, available from Webtogs. I’ve been using this recently and will be reviewing it in the next few days.

Conclusion:

The Golite Quest offers large size but low weight; rather clumsy compression to a 25 litre form; good pockets; side compression/attachment straps; hip belt pockets
It’s big - possibly bigger than needed for summer backpacking use, so given that modern equipment is becoming lighter and more compact a smaller rucksack may be adequate for most needs
There’s a non-adjustable back system, so you need to take care when purchasing to try one on or be sure of its suitability for you
For me, the lack of a lower compartment, or means of entry to stash a wet tent at the bottom of my load, was an annoyance that I learnt to live with …but it was still an annoyance
This is a good pack for those who want a bit of extra room but don’t want a heavy sack

BUT – this rucksack disappointingly lacked durability, in the strength of the fabric but more importantly in the manufacture of the hip belt, both sides of which started to part company with the body of the rucksack after the equivalent of about four months’ continuous use.

So, it’s out with the old…

Sunday 4 December 2011 – Center Parcs

2011-12-06T12:18:00.001Z

Thanks go to Robert and Lyn for again providing us with a day pass to Center Parcs at Sherwood Forest.

Luckily for me, the dreaded badminton (I can’t hit the ‘ball’) took place on Saturday, so I wasn’t humiliated as seriously as usual. Short tennis, table tennis and pool are all just about within my ability to occasionally hit the relevant balls.

Louise and Chris disappeared for a couple of hours for a spot of watercolour painting, the result of which were never revealed - “it’ll take a week for mine to dry” they announced in unison, whilst the rest of us battled with some partially cooked potatoes before adjourning to the rapids.

Sue took an early sauna back at the luxury chalet, together with Louise and Chris, leaving Jim, Peg, Roger and Stuart stranded with Robert and Lyn and me in a waterlogged tennis court on a cool, rainy evening. Stuart was particularly adept at hitting balls across the billowy net into puddles, where the resulting skid and splash defeated all his opponents.

Meanwhile, a grey squirrel spent most of the day by the back door of the chalet, licking the honey off some stale cereal that had been dumped outside by one of our inmates.

The tennis (great fun, actually) eventually ended with the onset of a firework display the has become a traditional feature of the weekend.

Dinner was delayed due to a rather long sauna session, and was followed by a traditional slideshow – on this occasion images of Turkey – to be captioned in due course – this version is designed to be shown with Sue’s commentary.

Thanks, Robert and Lyn, for having us along again, and especially for arranging the badminton to take place before our arrival.

Just for those attending – here are a few more very poor snapshots.

Previous visits have been reported on here.

Wednesday 30 November 2011 – The Kingfisher Trail

2011-12-03T17:02:00.001Z

On a lovely sunny autumn morning, seven plodders and Maude embarked on a ten mile amble from Clifton Country Park, near Kearsley, to Jumbles Country Park, beyond Bromley Cross.

I’d arrived with half an hour to spare, as had Don. But Don’s day changed with a call from his wife, who had dropped him off. “Broken down” “on the hard shoulder near Middleton….”

Luckily, David had arrived and the small group of Plodders were happy to wait in the sunshine for me to return from reuniting Don with his wife, only about ten minutes late. Sadly Don missed out on a good day out, but was able to conclude a much needed rescue, and the repair to a loose alternator connection soon restored the Micra to good health.

From Clifton Country Park a pleasant path leads to this Tower in Ringley...

Nathan Walworth was instrumental in the building of the first chapel at Ringley which was completed in 1625. This tower effectively commemorates that chapel, by way of a partial restoration in 1854, when a new church was built, which itself was renovated in 1907. There’s some fascinating information about the long history of Ringley here.

Nearby, across an ancient bridge over the River Irwell, La Roma seemed an interesting looking place, but Reg (our leader) took one look and ran off in the opposite direction. “I thought I saw a ghost!” he later admitted.

The Manchester, Bury & Bolton Canal, built between 1791 and 1808, has now largely been abandoned, but the water remains in this scenic section at Prestolee.

David, a founder 'Plodder' who is only rarely able to join us these days due to family commitments, posed in the sunshine beside a complex junction of waterways involving the Croal, the Irwell, and the canal.

Soon we had left the Irwell and were heading on beside the River Croal. Our northerly route passed beside waterways to the east of the major conurbation of Bolton. We weren’t alert enough to spot any kingfishers, but dippers swooped up and down the Croal, and a heron fished beside Bagshaw Brook'.

There are several Country Parks along this trail. We seemed to pass almost seamlessly from Clifton Country Park to Moses Gate Country Park, with Darcy Lever Gravel Pits, then ‘Seven Acres’ and Leverhulme Park – the site of a popular parkrun – before finally reaching Ousel Nest Meadows at the edge of Jumbles Country Park.

We passed some sculptures - it's a shame I didn't capture this one in 3-D.

The giant frog of Darcy Lever pointed its jaw towards a hostelry (of a name I cannot recall!) where five of us enjoyed a brief respite from the blinding sunshine. The beer/coffee was excellent. It wasn’t a dog friendly establishment however, so Vi and Hilary had to stay outside with Maude, soaking in the rays.

Wobbling off again, we passed under a high viaduct that didn’t seem to be linked to anything. It wasn’t. It was virtually all that remains of one of the many disused railway lines in the area.

We continued along a muddy path through Seven Acres Country Park, beside the River Croal. All of a sudden, the sun had gone. Everything assumed the monochrome of a late November afternoon. I tested the ‘vivid’ setting on my new Canon G12 camera, with acceptable results on this occasion.

The riverside path led steeply up to enter Leverhulme Park.

Reg claimed a momentary loss of memory concerning the route. I think he was just enjoying a rest!

Heading on through Leverhulme Park, the venue for a popular parkrun, we finally found some benches on which to enjoy lunch. The only trouble was that they were 150 metres apart. Nevertheless, I commuted to ‘the posh bench’ after a while in order to lighten my load. Fudge brownies always seem to go down well with this lot.

The trail now pottered along beside Bradshaw Brook – in truth a pretty hearty river, criss-crossed by water pipes and inhabited by herons. No sign of any kingfishers.

The 16 km (10 mile) route stayed resolutely off-road, despite the fact that we were walking through an industrial heartland of the north west.

We admired the Jacobean Porch that is the sole remnant of Bradshaw Hall, home of the Bradshaw family from C12 to C18. Later occupants, the Lomaxes and the Hardcastles, developed bleachworks here, but the old stone seems now to have been converted into housing.

The last lap to Jumbles Reservoir took us along paths typical of the day, disused (by traffic) riverside routes of railways and tracks to the east of Bolton.

The party separated below the dam that was built as recently as 1971 to contain the waters of Bradshaw Brook in Jumbles Reservoir, as buses and trains from different places were needed to get us to our respective homes.

Before leaving the site of the dam, leader Reg, as always clued up on historical information and industrial archaeology, related the story of local opposition to this project in the 1960’s. He hastened away after telling us about the ‘Jumbles Ghost’ – the apparition of a local protestor that sometimes appears on the stepping stones.

I set my new camera to the ‘ghost’ setting, shut my eyes, pressed the shutter, and ran after Reg, afraid to look at the resulting snapshot until I got home and downloaded it.

Scary!

The remnants of our now disparate group took tail through some blackbird meadows and headed home via Bromley Cross and Bolton, where the number 8 bus ‘plodded’ through traffic to return me to Clifton Country Park some time after dark.

There’s a slideshow (38 images) here.

Reg’s excellent report (with more historical titbits), together with photos from Hilary, are here.

Here’s the route – 16km, 200 metres ascent, in a very leisurely 4.5 hours.

My Garmin Gadget recorded the route shown below (I still haven’t worked out how to overlay it onto an Ordnance Survey map).

Peugeot 206 5-Door LX 1.4HDI Diesel – 5-speed manual – FOR SALE - £1,300

2011-11-29T22:02:00.001Z

This may not be the appropriate place to advertise Sue’s car, which she has owned from new and is coming up for its tenth birthday.

But here goes anyway…

It seems a shame to get rid of it, but that was always the plan, and the arrival of its successor is imminent. It has been an excellent motor, with the only items (other than routine brakes, tyres and filters, etc) that have been replaced being the exhaust and the water pump – a new cam belt was fitted at the same time.

It has never been involved in an accident, and other information is shown below.

Date of registration – 30 January 2002 (MM51 APV)
Current mileage – 93,100
Tax band - £30 (113g/km)
Fuel consumption – 50 to 60 mpg (more on a long run at steady speeds)
Taxed until 31/1/12 (when MOT is also due)
Serviced on 11/11/11 (no issues, but disc brakes will need replacing fairly soon – approx £150)
AutoTrader valuation - £1,400 to £1,525

This has been an excellent little motor. We’ll be sorry to see it go.

Is anyone interested? If so, please contact us via the ‘Contact us’ button here.

Postscript:
As anticipated, this blog posting failed to yield a sale, but an on line ad in AutoTrader resulted in a flood of calls and a sale within 10 minutes. The old motor was clearly worth more than we thought.

Meanwhile, Sue’s new car, ‘Skippy’, should have been collected a couple of hours after the Peugeot was sold. But it failed its pre-delivery ‘MOT’! A new part has been ordered, hopefully covered by the warranty!