Sue and Martin in Mallorca 2019

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

Friday 13 November 2020

Friday 13 November 2020 - A Walk from Tandle Hill Country Park


Today’s walk was a repeat of the route we took on 22 July, except that today we started from Tandle Hill rather than from Slattocks.

Graeme and Paul turned up as planned, and Slattocks residents Alan and Sheila were there to guide us from some distance ahead, whilst Graeme slouched at the rear, thus complying with current Lockdown rules.

Luckily, we were again blessed with good visibility and some sunshine.


From the top of the hill, the tall buildings of Manchester looked very close by.


There are various memorials up here, as referred to in that earlier posting.


The local A627(M) motorway was pretty deserted; everyone must have gone for a walk!


We soon reached the Rochdale Canal towpath, a busy place despite the impression of the next picture looking towards Rochdale Town centre.


There are some sculptures here with a just about decipherable plaque. From right to left: Lynne Coxell (headmistress of a local junior school) and a student; another student wearing đŸ•¶ in an effort to remain incognito; Gracie Fields; and Harriet Ellis (champion windsurfer). All local celebrities.


Soon afterwards we stopped outside the Ship in Slattocks for coffees from our flasks and apple cookies from Paul. A very pleasant interlude despite the pub being 'Covid Shut'.


We learnt on our last visit that Cinder Hill Farm is one of Alan's favourite places, where he can commune with the residents without them answering back. 


From there, it's a pleasant stroll back up through woodland in the Country Park, whose car park is completely inadequate on sunny days in Lockdown.


Luckily there's plenty of roadside parking.

So that was another delightful outing, with good weather and fine company. Thanks go to Alan and Sheila for leading the way. 

9 comments:

Sir Hugh said...

I didn't register with the names at the beginning of this post but then recognised Sheila happy and smiling. It was interesting to see that Alan was more interested in his friends than the tractor in the background.

AlanR said...

Thanks Martin. Very enjoyable. Next time I will chose a very different route but just as interesting. With our walk in and walk out extras we did 20.5km which is a distance I haven’t done for a couple of years.
Conrad, the beasts and the tractor belong to a friend of ours so I have looked at and photographed the David Brown umpteen times.

Phreerunner said...

Thanks Alan, I'm pleased to hear you got home safely... I'll put you down for a route early in the New Year, if not before, from Slattocks I assume.

AlanR said...

Yes, from Slattocks.

bowlandclimber said...

Nice walk.
Interesting take on meet 'one other person' outside.

Phreerunner said...

We stayed well apart, BC - and only met by chance (apart from Paul, who I met for the walk). Actually got closer to a number of A+S's neighbours who were also out for a walk.

AlanR said...

BC. We stuck to the rules for elite athletes who came together by chance.

bowlandclimber said...

Not being critical just admiring your unorganised walk.
It could easily be "the pot calling the kettle black"

Phreerunner said...

I took no offence, BC. I know that you know that whatever we get up to will be sensible.