Monday 20 February 2023 - The Wabash Jazzmen at Eagley Jazz Club

Sue and I enjoyed an excellent performance from The Wabash Jazzmen, a popular band that plays mainly in a traditional New Orleans style, but they also incorporate occasional blues, skiffle, gospel and contemporary tunes into their programme. The band is led by banjo virtuoso Mark Challinor, with the front line of Jon Critchley on trumpet, Mike Hayler on clarinet/tenor sax, Richard Slater on trombone and Howard Worthington on double bass.

During the evening, Mark proudly introduced his 'slide guitar', a silvery monster that 'twangs' to the joy of his grandchildren. Howard accompanied him for a lovely number using this guitar.

Monday 20 February 2023 - A Bike Ride to Pennington Flash

With Isabella being looked after by her mum on a day off today, Sue joined friends on a shopping trip and I jumped on Stumpy for a ride to Pennington Flash and back, going via the busway to Leigh, and returning via the Leeds and Liverpool and Bridgewater Canal towpaths.

It was an overcast day until the start of my return journey, so the pictures aren't up to much, but here goes:

There's a new building going up on a narrow strip of land next to the canal in Stretford. Probably putting waste land to good use.

The area around the aqueduct over the Manchester Ship Canal, near the Trafford Centre, looks more dilapidated every time I pass by.

Leaving the towpath just after the lighthouse in Monton, I took the loopline route through Roe Green towards Tyldesley. Pleasantly much drier than our visit to run here on New Year's Eve.

Approaching Leigh, the busway makes life easier for those who commute into Manchester.

Beyond Leigh's centre, and it's a short ride along the towpath to the Flash. Near here the Bridgewater Canal morphs into the Leeds & Liverpool Canal. New housing replaces the fields that used to line the towpath. The temporary fencing shown below has been replaced further on by a metal fence with no gates, so the residents have no easy access to the towpath! Amazing...

At the turnaround point - 30km along the 56km route, I found a bench on which to enjoy a drink and a snack. I soon moved on. A brisk, cold, wind was blowing in from the west.

A 'coffee house' - The Hide - is under construction here, finishing touches being applied. This will be a welcome replacement to the tacky kiosk in the car park.

Back on the canal towpath, all was quiet and the sun came out.

The sun soon went away again, as I pedaled slowly home, this being my longest ride on the Specialised Stumpjumper (Stumpy) since May 2022.

It's a good route - 56km in 4 hours or so.

Friday 17 February 2023 - Around Bollington

Last Friday's walk found us accepting a lift to Bollington with Paul, Jeanette and Rufus. We've done a similar, slightly shorter, walk before, and after a few minutes we could be found slipping and sliding up the steep path to White Nancy.

The views back over Bollington warranted a pause to admire.

White Nancy, built in 1817 to commemorate victory at the Battle of Waterloo, was resplendent in the sunshine.

A strong wind kept us cool, but for most of the way along the Saddle of Kerridge a sturdy wall protected us from the worst of the blast.

The signwriter at Swanscoe has been busy...

Between Swanscoe and the Macclesfield Canal was a pond that must be a haven for wildlife.

There followed a pleasant stroll along the towpath, albeit by now the sun had disappeared. However, we were thankful for the dry conditions and lack of precipitation. It's often quite muddy hereabouts at this time of year, but not today - appreciated by all of us, especially Rufus.

Eight miles to Marple from here, just south of Bollington..

The mill with the tall chimney is Clarence Mill - a five-storey former cotton spinning mill built between 1834 and 1877 for the Swindells family of Bollington. It was built alongside the Macclesfield Canal, which opened in 1831.

The mill appears to be humming with a plethora of uses.

We soon doubled back to the Adlington Road car park, after the 10.5km stroll with less than 200 metres ascent.

Adjourning for coffees and tea cakes at a friendly cafe in Hale sealed a most enjoyable morning. Thanks for coming along, P+J+R.

More can be found out about White Nancy, etc, by going to this entry from four years ago.

Next Friday:
Sue's Birthday Walk - Coniston Old Man and Dow Crag from the Walna Scar Road (SD 288 970). A 9km circuit starting at 10:30 and adjourning to somewhere in Coniston.
Postponed to a warmer day. let Martin know if you would like to be informed of a short notice visit on a warmer day.

More walks in the programme shortly...

Later, here they are:

Friday 24 February 2023 (to replace the postponed OMC walk)
Hurst Green and Ribchester - a 9km circuit from Hurst Green. Meet at 10am outside the Aighton, Bailey & Chaigley Memorial Hall up Avenue Road (SD 684 382).
This is Walk 22 in Mark Sutcliffe's Cicerone guide - Walking in Lancashire.

Friday 31 March 2023
Barrowford and Foulridge - a 15km circuit from Pendle Heritage Centre, Barrowford (SD 862 397). Meet at 10am. There's a car park next to the Heritage Centre.
This is Walk 27 in Mark Sutcliffe's Cicerone guide - Walking in Lancashire 

Friday 7 April 2023 (Good Friday)
Around Shocklach. 11km from The Bull in Shocklach (SJ 439 492).
Meet at 10am outside the pub. (Take the B5130 south from Chester. Cross the A534 at Farndon and continue south to Shocklach.)

Friday 14 April 2023
Around Appleton. 10km of lovely paths on Warrington's outskirts.
Meet at 10am outside the London Bridge Inn, London Road (via M56 Jnc 10) 

Friday 2 June 2023 (May is 'full', with the TGO Challenge and other commitments)
Y Garn and the Glyders. 13km on the route described here.
Meet at 10am at the Ogwen Cottage Visitor Centre.