Wednesday 20 March 2019 – Timperley to Rochdale

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A bit of exercise was called for. I’m supposed to be doing (I hasten to omit the word ‘running’) a marathon in a couple of weeks’ time.

So I set off at 8 o’clock and joined the commuters who were taking full advantage of the nicely surfaced Bridgewater Canal towpath.

After 3 km I reached Dane Road, pictured above, and I took pictures at regular intervals all the way to Rochdale. I’ll therefore describe the rest of the route by way of captions, with just a few additional comments on this pleasant morning’s outing.

Km 6: Stretford

Km 8: looking back as Old Trafford is passed

Km 9: view towards Pomona from Throstle Nest Bridge

I didn't realise there was so much graffiti here, amongst the construction work for the Metrolink extension to the Trafford Centre.

Km 9.5: the River Medlock makes its way from a culvert into the Irwell

Km 10: St Georges, Cornbrook

Km 11: Castlefield and Merchant's Bridge

Km 11.5: the arrow beside the Rochdale Canal points to the submerged plug that releases the canal water into the culverted River Tib

Km 12: approaching Oxford Road

Km 12: Oxford Road horse - also in the previous picture

Km 13: on the bridge where the Rochdale and Ashton Canals divide, looking up the Rochdale Canal

Km 14.5: footbridge and mill on the Rochdale Canal

Km 16.5: mess left by workmen in Newton Heath

Km 17.5: Canada Geese are in pairs at present, probably the commonest bird on the entire route

There’s lots of bird life on this route – Grey Wagtails, Chaffinches, Goldfinches, Herons, Mallards, Cormorants, Black-headed Gulls, to name but a few.

Km 18: disgraceful rubbish between Newton Heath and Failsworth

Km 18.5: Ten Acres Lock

Km 19: mill chimney in Failsworth

Km 19: Regent Mill, home of Remington

Km 25: the Rochdale Canal has many green interludes

Km 26: really quite countryfied here, though you wouldn't guess that from the map

Km 26.5: these are real horses!

Km 27.5: Slattocks, I smell coffee

Km 27.5: AlanR, purveyor of fine hospitality

Thanks to Alan and Sheila for the giant mug of coffee and a very pleasant interlude.

Km 28: evidence of flooding at Norton Grange

Km 29: approaching Castleton

Km 29.5: Sustrans people near Castleton

Km 30: my route encountered over 30 locks; it would be slower by boat!

Km 30.5: water management, a feature of the entire route, at lock 51

Km 30.5: Arrow Mill

Km 31.5: the final section to Rochdale really doesn't look as rural as this on the map

Km 33: at Rochdale Metrolink - for a one and a quarter hour ride back to Timperley

Here’s the route, virtually entirely off road for a little over 33 km, with around 200 metres gentle ascent up thirty odd locks on the Rochdale Canal. It took me about 4.5 hours, plus an hour with Alan and Sheila. A good workout!

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