JANUARY 27        Louanne & Peter's Bollington walk.
Report on the Walk
  For the first walk of 2010, twenty two walkers braved the somewhat   damp conditions for a five mile ramble led by Louanne and Peter       Collins, starting from the Adlington Road car park, Bollington.

  The walk took us north along the Middlewood way, then across         fields, skirting Styperson Pool, climbing eventually to Long Lane.       On a good day this would have given fine views across the Cheshire   Plain. The evidence of mining in the area caused some interest.


The 22 walkers returned to their starting point along the canal towpath, and finished the day with a convivial lunch at the Vale Inn; an added attraction being its own microbrewery.

Louanne and Peter Collins

FEBRUARY 24        Brian & Alison's Manchester canals walk.
Report on the Walk
Alison and Brian Allerton had a winner with this city centre canal walk.  They expertly led 27 of us, along the Rochdale, Bridgewater and Manchester Ship canals from Piccadilly Station to the Lowry Theatre at Salford Quays.

Students of industrial heritage had a field day as we passed a series of canal locks, mighty rail bridges, lifting and swing bridges and the massive array of docks.  There were touches of human interest too, from the horse assistance posts and stones grooved by tow ropes, to the old lock-keepers house.

But modern architecture was around too, from the new footbridge by Piccadilly Station, reflected views of the 711 foot high (235m) Beetham tower  block, to the varied shapes by the Lowry Centre.  Even wildlife was not entirely absent.  No promised herons, but a cormorant and a pair of (bald= white faced) coots swam amongst the canada geese, herring gulls and a swan.


After a fascinating 4 miles, we happily went our various ways; to the outlet shops, the many eating places, perhaps the War Museum or the metro back to town.  There is no truth in the rumour that Sam brought us back in his stretch limo!

Walter Mason 

MARCH 31        Steve's "Dovedale" walk.
Report on the Walk
Steve Reynolds had a group of ten for his walk, who made a democratic decision to forgo the long drive to the pleasures of Dovedale because of the possible snow forecast on the Peak District roads.  Instead we gathered at Roman Lakes and set off by the River Goyt.  Strawberry Hill was ablaze, not with strawberries, but with daffodills, as we dodged the puddles on the track to Greenclough Farm. There we headed upwards by bridleways, quiet roads, and steep paths to the plain wooden cross on Cobden Edge, a beacon point of 327metres, or 1009 feet.  Hardy church people of Marple might have been making pilgrimage to the cross for early service on Good Friday morning, two days after us.

We were not so hardy, so lingered only briefly to scan the extensive, but misty view towards Cheshire and Manchester, before moving on to Cobden Edge Farm and Whetmorhirst.  There the footpath went elusively through a picturesque house garden, before following the stream bank down to Gibb Lane and Tarden.  Then it was an easy descent from the Golf Club House and Linnet Clough Scout Camp, past banks of Ransom (wild garlic) and Bottom’s Hall to an early sandwich lunch by the lakeside.


The rain had been minimal, but the air was unseasonably cold, so we were pleased that Steve had kept an alternative up his sleeve as we thanked him for his very pleasant 4 mile walk.

Walter Mason 

APRIL 28        Walter's Shutlingsloe climb.
Report on the Walk
A group of 14 walkers tackled the 1659 feet (506 metres) of Shutlings Loe, “The Cheshire Matterhorn”, in ideal conditions.  It was dry underfoot, with a milky sun and balmy breeze, and the steady climb from Wildboarclough with its steep last section was worth it with the extensive views from the summit trig. point.

After carefully descending a short rough section, we picked up a grassy sheep track, which easily us led down to the alternative footpath, and a retreat towards the valley and Bank Top Farm.  A very pleasant track led northwards to the valley road, where a stroll on the road was followed by another track past attractive cottages to St. Saviour’s Church.  This was open, so we had a brief visit to view the surprisingly large interior until hunger pangs caused a return to the Crag Inn.  Food was slow to come, but eventually welcome.

All seemed to enjoy the 3 - 4 mile route, and we appreciated the occasional sounds of lark, curlew, and pheasant, and glimpses of an unidentified bird of prey and an unperturbed heron in this quietly beautiful part of Cheshire. 

MAY 26            Old Glossop to Longdendale
Report on the Walk
Richard Clark led a group of 17 from the interesting surroundings of Old Glossop, to explore a new area for many.  We were led up past Cote Lodge, up alongside a waterfall and the Swineshaw Reservoirs and over the fields to Little Padfield Farm and Padfield (home of The Peels Arms with its Hole in the Wall test and certificate).

After a coffee stop with lovely views of the Longdendale Valley, we descended to the former railway line, now converted to long distance trails – the Trans Pennine Trail or Longdendale Trail are both on this track.  Then a little further to skirt Bottoms and Valehouse  Reservoirs – part of the famous chain of 5 Longdendale reservoirs, and continued as far as the heavily wooded  Deepclough.
 

There we had to climb some fairly rough semi-moorland, to join the Woodhead Road. A left turn took us past Blackshaw farm, where several horses had young foals, into a short stretch of pleasant woodland, and past a large enclosure with hens, small pigs, and displaying peacocks.


A short diversion past Shire Hill Hospital soon brought us to our cars opposite the Wheatsheaf, where a locally brewed beer proved popular.  Our food order was soon with us, and was well cooked and enjoyed – as we had all enjoyed the varied 5 mile walk, and thanked Richard and Sue for leading us.  The promised heavy showers on the Pennines had held off, and the cool grey day had been good for walking.

Walter Mason