Thursday 25 July 2024 - A Short Walk from The Bells of Peover

Six of us assembled at the Bells of Peover for one of Andrew's short evening strolls.

We started at 7pm, suitably refreshed, and soon passed the Tree of Imagination (2015).

Shortly, a fine building with fresh cladding was passed. It has its own reservoir.

Towards the end of the walk we passed some delightful thatched cottages, outside which was a display of huge hydrangeas.

Then it was back to the Bells for more chat and refreshments.

Here's our 3km route. Most people should do it in an hour or so.

Thanks as always to Andrew for organising this outing on a pleasantly warm evening.

Tuesday 23 July 2024 - Alderley Park Trail Race

We haven't taken part in many running races this year, but tonight we enjoyed an 8.5km trail race in the woodlands of Alderley Park. The Barbers were also there, and between us we all (apart from Greg who was 7th) came first, second or third in our respective age groups. Jeanette was supporting, and Laura was also running - warming up when the selfie was taken.

We congregated at the Glasshouse before the start.

The run director offered a briefing to the 505 runners taking part. Thanks also to the 100 or so volunteers, without whom the event would not be possible.

Results are here.

Laura - 34:39, position 24, Vet 35 1/43

Greg - 36:21, position 33, Vet 35 7/35

Paul - 39:55, position 89, Vet 65 2/15

Sue - 44:26, position 184, Vet 55 3/46

Martin - 55:14, position 366, Vet 75 2/3

We relaxed in the Glasshouse building, together with first woman home, Sophie, for quite some time. A most enjoyable evening, and a lovely undulating two lap course.

Sunday 21 July 2024 - Around Bollington

I've agreed to try to update some walk descriptions in Tony Bowerman's guidebook entitled 'Walks in Mysterious Cheshire and Wirral', originally published in 1990.

I'm in separate correspondence with Tony, but I hope the pictures in this posting may supplement my observations on the text.

This walk, number 14 in the book, starts from the Bulls Head in Kerridge. A suitable 'what3words' starting point is: filed.rank.votes

A sign is passed near where the Redway Tavern used to be a starting point for mid-week evening walks that provided a break to our working week. After one post walk visit with a number of friends I recall being accosted at work the following day with the words "You hijacked our quiz!" After encouraging us to take part, regulars were upset when we deprived them of their weekly freee drinks vouchers.

The former tavern has been converted to private housing, beyond which a braided concrete track leads steeply to a cattle grid.

Beyond the cattle grid the Gritstone Trail is joined. Our route ascends steeply to the right, all the way up to the 'White Nancy' monument, erected early in C19 to commemorate the Battle of Waterloo. I've written about White Nancy many times before, and references can be found here, as well as on page 146 of Tony's book.

Beyond the monument, it's a short walk along the ridge to a kissing gate.

Looking back to White Nancy

Looking forward to the kissing gate from the same spot

The path follows the ridge for some way, with quarries to the right, until the Saddle of Kerridge is reached. Where the path veers steeply down to the right, we go through the gate pictured below, after which we leave the Gritstone Trail in favour of ascending to the highest point of the ridge, some 313 metres above sea level.

There's a trig point at the summit, from where some of the highest points in Shropshire such as The Wrekin, can be admired in the distance.

Looking back from the trig point in the direction of White Nancy

Our path along the ridge now descends, with a good view of Rainow to the left.

The bright yellow coconut-scented gorse that welcomes visitors in springtime has by the end of July been replaced by ragwort and brambles, not to mention swathes of rosebay willowherb.

Sticking to the main path heading downhill through gates and wall gaps, we eventually reach a red and white post that warns of a nearby gas pipeline. Just before this post, our past turns left at an acute angle. This will take us back along the base of Kerridge Hill.

Looking back from the red and white post

The path contours, passing through gates and rejoining the Gritstone Trail. A series of gates and stiles follow an ancient paved route.

Where the paved path angles right, and into the woods, our path takes a higher line, across a field in which mushrooms can sometimes be found. It eventually arrives at a gate and stile by North End Farm.

The marked path skirts the farm and emerges by a sign for White Nancy onto the Independence Way track.

We return via another cattle grid to the grid from which we climbed to White Nancy earlier. Situated between the two grids is a stone bench that affords views towards Bollington.

After that, we simply rejoin our outward route and descend to the fleshpots of the Bulls Head on Oak Lane.

This is a lovely 5km outing, with not much more than 100 metres ascent, taking 1.5 to 2 hours.

Saturday 20 July 2024 - Wythenshawe parkrun #578

330 runners and walkers duly assembled at 9am on 20 July 2024. The Run Director, Scarlett, brought everyone to order.

And then ... they were off.

Sophie was well ahead by the time she started the second lap of the 5km course.

A few minutes later, Jan went ambling past.

Sue was too fast for my camera.

I was volunteering, as Funnel Manager today, which saw my duties commence when Sophie stormed home in 18:04.

Later, this is where I had to direct the runners, and encourage them to "stay in order, please."

And this is where a small gang, reunited after their various holiday breaks, enjoyed a post run coffee or two.

Full results are here.

Wednesday = Isabella Day (70)

Switching from Friday to Wednesday meant that Grandad Martin had sole custody of Isabella on this week's visit, as Grandma Sue was swimming and paddleboarding in the Lake District.

We had a lovely day, starting with a biscuit factory in our kitchen. The three year old has become an expert mixer of ingredients, (even whilst finishing her mid morning snack!) and I no longer need to be poised with a brush to remove spilt debris!

In fact, every last drop from the bowl went into the biscuits (if not the little girl's digestive system).

Cooking is in batches - ten minutes each. The first batch must be tested immediately!

It passed the test. The rest can be left to cool.

A magic box then turned Thomas into a teapot, and produced about 30 previously unseen Matchbox toys from an earlier generation. There was lots of playing, music, a hearty lunch of beans and fish fingers, Paw Patrol, Jenga, jigsaws, a search for valuables and lego roads in the loft, and an attempt at scooting in Wythenshawe Park, before it was time to go home. Only one picture was taken.

Monday 15 July 2024 - A Visit to RHS Bridgewater gardens

Sue and I chose to cycle along the Bridgewater Canal towpath, to RHS Bridgewater and back, just four weeks since our last visit.

It was a lovely day to be by the canal, and on the outward journey we were joined by another cyclist who just wanted a bit of company and some route guidance.

On the return leg we encountered a runner near the Trafford Centre. He was going like the clappers, so I stayed behind and offered encouragement. He was traveling at about 11 mph, which is a nice cycling pace for me. He turned round in Stretford and offered thanks for the encouragement (I had wondered whether I was upsetting him).

Here are a few canal photos taken around Worsley. The colours reflect the mining history of this canal.

The gardens have changed significantly in the past month. The following pictures represent its July colours.

There's probably little change in the cactus beds since our last visit

Here, a lot of similar plants, in a bid to establish which variety is best;

the blank area on the right is awaiting similar treatment

Back home for lunch - it's an hour/ten miles each way.

Later, a jazz hotpot supper and entertainment from Rae Owens and his Chicago Teds. Excellent.

We left with a bottle of Bollinger, one of over 30 raffle prizes.