Ever since I suggested White Nancy, above Bollington, as an alternative, this jaunt seems to have become an annual tradition. Before that there were just a handful of us, but after White Nancy was rejected (though I think we did both in that year) this stroll up Shutlingsloe has been well attended.
This year the Roberts family were unable to come, so I thought numbers would be depleted. But thanks to friends of friends, grandchildren, nephews and children, not to mention a strong showing from Wythenshawe’s parkrunners, there was a record turn out of 18 people. Richard, Diana and Joe turned up with their friends, Roddy and Sharon, Graham B arrived with grandson Connor, Cary brought Clara along, parkrunners – Andy, Kate, Andy W, Paul and Jeanette – swelled our numbers, and my cousin Toby paid his annual visit to our walking group. Andrew J, who rejected the White Nancy idea all those years ago, faithfully turned up and set off before half the attendees had arrived. Thus he had a chilly wait on the misty summit.
Photographs didn’t come easily, as any flash was reflected by the mist. I’ve included a couple from Andy W, whose backlit efforts were better than my misty ones. The header image is his ‘On the Top’ effort.
Conditions were good, apart from the mist, with it being reasonably warm and calm. The rocks, which are often coated with verglas (ice or frost) at this time of year, were merely slippery.
Cake, tea, coffee and something stronger were supped on the summit before the sound of a Christmas Carol rang out over Wildboarclough.
Here’s Andy W on the summit. When he saw this image on the back of my phone he had to try to capture the ambience more realistically.
Here’s Andy’s resulting attempt, which he has entitled ‘Waiting for ET’.
After quite a while on top, we ambled back down by the direct route, covering 5.3 km with 250 metres ascent in around 1.5 hours.
Then most of us adjourned to the Leathers Smithy for refreshments – another worthy tradition…
Thanks for coming, everyone – put Friday 15 December 2017 in your diaries.
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