Sue and Martin in Mallorca 2019

Sue and Martin in Mallorca 2019
On the Archduke's Path in Mallorca

Saturday 21 March 2020

Friday 20 March 2020 - A Walk to Dunham Massey

 
There's not much text here, so feel free to click on a photo and scroll through the short slideshow.
 
On a lovely sunny (but cool) Friday afternoon, Sue and I escaped from 'C' word despondency for a walk to Dunham Massey and back, from home in Timperley.
 
Martha passed us on her bike, on the way to Lymm and perhaps beyond. It was good to have a brief chat with her.
 
Beyond the Bay Malton, a small dog secured to a blue barge admired our freedom to use the towpath.
 
 
The light was lovely today. Very clear air; very few aircraft; good views to the Peak District, to Winter Hill and to the windfarms of the South Pennines.
 
 
The hawthorn leaves are bursting forth.
 
 
This field by the exit to the towpath, is still thoroughly waterlogged.
 

The National Trust's grounds at Dunham Massey are open to everyone, and family groups were enjoying picnics in the sunshine.
 
 
 
It was busy, but not crowded, with lots of people taking advantage of the fresh air but keeping to themselves. The café was shut.
 
 
This is a location where I'll be taking many pictures over the coming months (if allowed). You'll notice how the scene changes over the year when I put them all together in a few months' time.
 
 
A sign of the times - posted at all entrances to the park.
 
 
Beyond the confines of the park, and before reaching the golf course, there were expansive views over the fields to Winter Hill, standing clearly on the horizon.
 
 
There were lots of golfers out on this Friday afternoon. We joked with one whose shot just missed us.
 
A pigeon near the centre of Altrincham wasn't so lucky, as a sparrowhawk swooped for its lunch of pigeon breast.
 
After passing St Margaret's, where Sue goes bellringing (the future of that must be in doubt), we headed through Altrincham and Navigation Road to conclude our 12 km stroll in a little over two hours. This was the longest outing to date for my new Scarpa Delta GTX boots; a small ankle rub has now gone, so after about 25 km of use they can be regarded as 'broken in'. I hope they are as good as the previous pair, that are still fully waterproof after over 2500 km of hard use.
 
 
All in all, a very pleasant interlude away from (mainly) ongoing depressing news.

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