Friday 20 October 2017 – Dunham Massey

Another Friday, another short walk, this time from Timperley Bridge to Altrincham, via the Swan with Two Nicks and Dunham Massey, on a drizzly morning.

I was on my own after receiving such excuses as:

• going to a wedding in Bristol
• have a folk singer staying overnight
• have a famous conductor staying overnight
• still doing DIY
• gone to work
• gone to Norfolk (it’s amazing the lengths people go to to avoid my walks!)
• granddaughter in hospital (that was JB, and we are pleased to hear that the op was a success and she’s doing well)

So after waiting until the designated hour spotting vintage cars on Timperley Bridge, I stumbled off into the gloom.

Well, it wasn’t too gloomy, just a dullish autumn day – here’s the view south west from the bridge; some good sunrises can be seen from here. But not today.

On the way past Altrincham, I paused at Broadheath to take a couple of ‘update’ pictures of the remains of the Linotype buildings. The roofs of new houses can be seen to the right of the scaffolding.

Further on, the Bridgewater Canal exuded an aura of serenity, with the resident mallards taking life very easy in the warm weather.

This well trodden route leaves the canal at Little Bollington to pass the Swan with Two Nicks, after which the River Bollin is crossed and the Dunham Massey estate is entered. After a stile, a Grade II listed building constructed around 1616 is passed. It’s a sawmill, and it still operates from time to time.

Before crossing the golf course, the path from which leads to the centre of Altrincham via a variety of routes (I commend exploring them for yourself – many are mentioned in these pages under the ‘Altrincham’ or ‘Dunham Massey’ tabs) it’s a 20 metre diversion to visit the excellent Lavender Barn Tea Room. Today their ‘Red Velvet’ cake – involving beetroot -  was absolutely yummy.

Afternoon tea for two looks fantastic. It’s a shame that it was morning, and I was on my own!