This was the last in my current series of Friday morning strolls, and no more are planned at present as we will be away quite a bit over the next few weeks.
It was good to be joined by John B on this occasion, and as all the other 'regulars' had one excuse or another, it was just the two of us on a route that I had devised some weeks ago, based vaguely (and inadvertently) on a section of the Cown Edge Way. Anyone wishing to do the full 18 miles, let me know and we can sort something out.
Starting along the Middlewood Way from Rose Hill, we soon took a right turn towards Marple Wood, along paths I'd never been on before.
After a while we entered woodland next to a golf course. At this point my digital mapping 'crashed' and we discovered that one bit of wood next to a golf course looks very much like any other bit of woodland next to a golf course! However, with the map reinstated on my 'phone, and with the aid of a friendly signpost next to which John (in his natty and very suitable footwear) posed for the picture above, we extricated ourselves from the wood after crossing Torkington Brook.
The path led us back to the Middlewood Way, not far from where we had left it for this minor exploration. John spotted a tree, below, that apparently is known as the 'weeing tree', to which junior rugby players with weak bladders are apparently directed in times of need.
These pages are littered with such interesting anecdotes!
Crossing the track of the old railway, we proceeded gently to the Macclesfield Canal - much older than the railway but still in use. (Which I suppose the railway is as well, in its way.)
After a walk along the towpath and leaving the canal at the bridge pictured above, we continued through pleasant countryside, with a pause for elevenses, towards Strines, coming across the Peak Forest Canal at a lift bridge from where the next picture was taken.
The Cown Edge Way soon left this towpath and headed through a buttercup meadow to our next obstacle, the River Goyt.
Luckily, there's a fine old footbridge at Strawberry Hill by which to cross the river. I was amazed that I don't recall being here before.
More meadow paths saw us proceed easily to Linnet Clough, where we said goodbye to the Cown Edge Way and descended to Bottom's Hall on a rocky path that I know well from mountain biking in the vicinity of nearby Roman Lakes.
At the bottom of the hill near Bottom's Bridge, we passed the fairly recently preserved remains of Mellor Mill, now nicely tidied up and home to various information boards such as this one. (Click on it for a bigger image.)
We enjoyed lunch here, before heading back up to the Peak Forest Canal via an excellent suspended path next to the (very much in use) modern railway.
A short walk into Marple, past the junction where the Macclesfield Canal joins the Peak Forest Canal, brought us to the interesting bridge at Brabyn's Brow, where there are two separate pedestrian routes under the road. Can you spot them both?
From here, a mainly off-road route using a series of convenient ginnels past back gardens, allotments and a cricket ground, brought us safely back to Rose Hill after a most satisfying, if not particularly strenuous, jaunt.
Here's our route - about 14 km, with around 250 metres ascent, taking us approximately three and a half hours.
Thanks for your company, John. It was good to see you and I hope we can get out together again soon.
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