Wednesday 8 January 2025 - Another Bollington Circuit

We've been here before, so little by way of commentary is needed - just enjoy the pictures. Click on any of them for a slideshow. Click here for an earlier report on this walk, with  a history of White Nancy, and here for all our Bollington walks since 2007.

I think it's the first time we've walked this route in snow. Sue and I were joined by Cary, who conveniently has winter tyres for his car. Here he is, slogging his way up the final steep slope to White Nancy, with (above) views back to snow clad Bollington and as far as the skyscrapers of Manchester.

We  soon set off along the Saddle of Kerridge, into a hazy sun.

The Saddle is blessed with  some lovely woodland, particularly attractive in the fresh snow.

There are views to the east down to the village of Rainow.

It's a good walk up Kerridge Hill, seen below in the distance beyond a lady carrying a child in a papoose who had passed us, from where you can continue towards Rainow for a choice of ways back to Bollington. 

Our route goes to the right by the wall in the middle distance.

A gentle descent on a good path, with some switchbacks needed to stay on the right of way, brought us conveniently to an elevenses bench near Swanscoe Hall. Cary's fig rolls were much appreciated.

Soon we reached the Macclesfield Canal, and an easy walk back to Bollington along the snowy towpath.. Here, way below the ridge, it was not quite so scenic as cloud had rolled in and the tree branches down here had released their overnight snow.

Some of the flowerheads had gathered a crust of hoar frost.

I think Sue's picture (below) trumps mine.

There were some slithers involved in crossing from one side of the canal to the other.

Soon afterwards we strolled into Bollington at 13:19, after a three hour walk of 9.26 kilometres, according to my 'phone.

We decided to look for a cafe for lunch, rather than drive home. The Mulberry Leaf saw to all our needs, with excellent, tasty food for up to £10 a head.

A very jolly outing in excellent conditions. Thanks to Cary for joining us and providing the transport.

Here's the current programme. Feel free to join me/us, but best check the topwalks.com website for any changes, or let me know if you are coming.

Thursday 16 January	Bike Ride	The Fallowfield Loop - a 40km circuit, starting from Timperley Bridge at 9.30am. Cafe at the Velodrome.
Tuesday 21 January	Day Walk	Rivington Terraced Gardens - A Leisurely Exploration. Meet at the Great House Barn on Rivington Lane at 10:30am.
Wednesday 29 January	Bike Ride	From Rose Hill, Marple, a 35km circuit > Middlewood Way > Lyme Park > New Mills > Brook Bottom > Mellor Church > Marple Bridge > Marple. Start at 10:30am. Bring a snack - it'll take 3-4 hours.
Thursday 13 February	Day Walk	GM Ringway Trail - Stage 1 - Manchester to Sale Water Park. Meet at 10:30am in St Peter's Square for this first 12km stage of the 20 stage circuit of Greater Manchester. (An experiment.)
Tuesday 18 February	Bike Ride	A 50km lollipop route to Moore Lane (by Moore, beyond Warrington) and back, mainly on the Trans Pennine Trail. Start at 9:30am from Timperley Bridge, 9:35 from Seamons Bridge.
Wednesday 26 February	Day Walk	Delph Reservoir. A 12km circuit from the car park at SD 699 166 to the north of Delph Reservoir, near Dimple, north of Egerton, for a circuit of the reservoir. Start at 10am.