Friday morning walks returned with this outing from Whaley Bridge on a dull day, but at least the rain held off until we reached a café at the end of the walk.
I thought we'd walked this route one evening some years ago. We may have done, but I've also recorded it on 1 October 2008, here.
We started along the towpath, passing Tesco before turning right over the footbridge from which the next picture was taken.
Buxworth Basin has become an industrial archaeology site, as shown by the following images. (Click on any image for a better version.)
After crossing the busy bypass by a footbridge, we took one of a number of possible paths up Eccles Pike, with a pleasant view back towards Whaley Bridge.
There are good views from the summit.
Combs Reservoir is backed by Combs Edge.
Llamas and alpaca live here, as well as some very happy looking free range chickens.
The reservoir is full, and luckily it doesn't suffer from the same problem as nearby Toddbrook Reservoir, which is currently empty due to its defective dam.
The rain held off, but judging by the nearby rainbows, it wasn't far away...
There are some lovely footpath signs around here, like this Peak & Northern Footpaths Society sign number 424 near Cadster.
Whaley Bridge is the home of some classic cars, including a Rolls Royce on sale for £50,000. The car shown below may well have been 'luxury' in its day - as indicated by the sunroof - but it may not have been as well maintained as the Rolls.
The last section of this walk follows the disused track of the Cromford and High Peak Railway Company, for whom there's a plaque that celebrates its incorporation in 1825.
Back near Whaley Bridge station, we sat outside a café under a heated canopy, savouring coffees and some excellent mince pies, before heading off home whilst the roadside puddles were replenished from the sky.
Here's the route - 10km with about 300 metres ascent - it's easy to follow and took us two and a half hours - it's described by David Frith in his 'One Hundred Walks Around Manchester' - Route number 63.
Click on any image for a higher resolution version and access to a slideshow.
Next week, all are welcome to join me on:
A 13 km walk from Heaton Park Metrolink station to Manchester, via the Irk Valley, starting at 10.45 am to allow for OAP free passes! Lunch options in Manchester, and optional walk home along the Bridgewater Canal towpath.
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