17 and 18 August 2025 - Cricket and a Bike Ride

Another blue sky day was in evidence as I took a stroll by the canal, heading towards Old Trafford cricket ground where Richard and I enjoyed a couple of matches in the 'Hundred' tournament.

The Manchester side won both the women's and the men's matches against foe from the other side of the Pennines. So most people went away happy but sunburnt.

The women's match was a close, low scoring, affair, played out in a half full stadium, though we were told that the attendance of about 12,000 was a record for a women's match.

Pictured above, the women's set up, with the men's below - the boundary was extended for the men, but that didn't stop the Manchester team from hitting sixes into the crowd with ease. Their total of over 170 runs proved too much for the Yorkshire side, who struggled to get much beyond 100 before they were all out.

After such perfect weather on Sunday, it was a little disappointing to wake to a cloudy sky today. Sue and I took the bikes to Rose Hill in Marple for a ride to Bollington and back. Soon after setting off we came across the first signs of autumn - a lone tree seems to have got its seasons mixed up!

We were here on 29 January this year - my report is here - and today we took the same 20 mile route, starting on the Middlewood Way, turning down the hill into Bollington just beyond the Bollington Labyrinth.

Disused stations were passed, before we crossed the viaduct that carried the railway past Bollington.

Beyond the Labyrinth, we made the short diversion to the excellent Mulberry Leaf cafe. Scrambled egg (lots of egg) for Sue, and a sausage bap for me (lots of sausage). 

Then a short climb back to the Middlewood Way, which we followed to its terminus, where a short link path leads to the Macclesfield Canal at bridge number 30.

It's a lovely bike ride all the way to Marple.

Outside one of the marinas - something of an obstacle!

We counted down from Bridge 30 all the way down to Bridge number 1. Lots of bridges. The 20 mile ride took a little over two hours plus our lengthy cafe break. Here is the route (copied from my January entry). A lovely way to spend a summery Monday morning.