Monday 16 September 2024 - Manchester Jazz at Eagley Jazz Club

As Bolton is more or less on my way home from the Yorkshire Dales, and thanks to Markus and me eating fairly early, I was able to return home via Manchester Jazz Band's gig at Eagley.

I don't think this band has performed at Eagley before now, but it was good to see the familiar faces of Mike Pembroke (trombone), Jim Lucas (trumpet), and Eric Newton (reeds). They are pictured above with Roger Browne (piano and band leader).

The other two members of the band have crept into the pictures below - Chris Pendlebury (percussion), and Allan Wilcox (bass). I hope I've got that right!

I'm glad I made the effort, it was a most entertaining evening, and great music.

Monday 16 September 2024 - A Sedbergh Circuit

I was supposed to meet Markus on the summit of Ingleborough yesterday lunchtime. It would not have been pleasant. Driving rain was forecast all day, and that turned out to be correct. A last minute adjustment to plans was necessary, though without Wifi or a phone signal, Markus was completely in the dark. Instead of going to Chapel-le-Dale on Sunday, I went to Sedbergh on Monday, in the knowledge that Markus was booked into a hotel there. From there I walked along the Dales High Way (DHW) route to beyond Dent, and I met Markus coming the other way after having climbed Whernside, pretty much exactly where I expected him to appear.

I faffed on riverside paths and returned to the car to take it to a better place in a layby beside the River Rawthey, on the DHW route. Autumn has yet to trouble the greenery in the Yorkshire Dales.

Sedbergh and the Howgills from the DHW path

Panorama (click on it to enlarge) towards the Howgills from Long Moor

Elevenses on Long Moor

View towards Middleton Fell on the descent from Long Moor

Hover Fly on Rampion

On the descent to Dent, a very narrow lane winds up to this vacant cottage.

The road to Dent is encountered at Barth Bridge, from where the DHW and Dales Way paths lead on to Dent beside the River Dee. I'd met not a single person before reaching the outskirts of Dent.

After passing through Dent, and checking that Markus wasn't there, I continued to Church Bridge, for a long lunch on a bench in the playing fields with this view:

Church Bridge

Just a bit further on, I met Markus at Double Croft. I turned around and we enjoyed good views of the river, and refreshments at the cafe in Dent Village Heritage Centre..

Knapweed

Oxeye Daisy

Markus, the camera shy Austrian, insisted that he take my picture outside my Bank.

We then continued on along the Dales Way path until we reached a tempting new footbridge at Ellers.

Appearances can be deceptive, it's already starting to fall apart!

Other walkers continued along the Dales Way, but we took a nice alternative route on sometimes vague paths via Mire House and Burton Hill to rejoin the Dales Way route at an attractive bridleway at Gap.

Markus strides along the scenic bridleway that leads to the hamlet of Millthrop

After a gentle rise, the Howgills and Sedbergh came into view.

One of the gardens in Millthrop was overflowing with plants of all colours. It must win awards.

The River Rawthey was crossed for a final time, before we made our way past the sports grounds of Sedbergh School and through the small town to the Dalesman Inn.

Here's my route - an excellent day's walk of about 23 km, with just 350 metres ascent. It took me around 7 hours, at least 2 hours of which was at rest.

We were both glad that I'd delayed my visit for a day, and we enjoyed beers and a good meal at the pub before I wended my way home.

Amongst what I observed today:

Thistles, Dandelions, Knapweed, Harebells, Oxeye Daisy, lots of Tormentil on Long Moor, Yarrow, Pineappleweed, Meadow Cranesbill.

Not a lot of birds apart from the usual common ones, but I did spot a Wheatear - shouldn't it have migrated by now? ["Not this week, it's still summer here..."]

Saturday 14 September 2024 - Lindow Moss (again)

This was a repeat of my walk on 21 August, as I wanted to check out a few minor details.

Black Lake, pictured above, could now be seen above the vegetation, as a team of volunteers were cutting back the unwanted Himalayan Balsam and Willowherbs.

The next picture is of the newish wooden bridge crossed soon after passing Lindow Court Park, beyond which the Moss is entered.

A little further on, the 'artwork' remains in place.

 

After passing through the Moss, my memory was correct and there were no navigational difficulties along the track then road leading from Saltersley Farm to Racecourse Road. Beyond Racecourse Road, there are so many paths and tracks that it's easy to go wrong, but in the small area involved it's easy enough to get back to the car park, by which someone has made the best out of a dead tree trunk.

For more details and a map, see my earlier posting on this walk

Saturday 14 September 2024 - Wythenshawe parkrun #585

On a perfect day for running, desperate requests for more marshalls found me volunteering to marshall at the Far Bridge with Lizzie, pictured above as some of the faster runners come through, and Sue marshalled at the nearby Hill, where apparently it has been known for the occasional runner to take a wrong left turn.

Graham kindly escorted Owen around in 46 minutes, well ahead of the tail walker.

This jolly bunch, pictured at Far Bridge, eventually finished in 59:55, happy to be just inside an hour for the 5km.

Full results are here. It was a lovely morning for the 315 participants plus marshalls, and the courtyard where the tea room is closed but a mobile tea room tries to cope, was vibrant today. Sue had brought a flask, so we were able to eliminate the long queue to be served. All very sociable though, and a lovely way to spend a Saturday morning.

Friday 13 September 2024 - The Pennine Bridleway Around Waterfoot

Some parts of the Pennine Bridleway are more attractive than others! This 2.5km section from BRGS, where we were allocated to pick up grandson Jacob from school, was the best we could find today. It runs alongside the infant River Irwell and at one point passes through a factory.

The walk took us down to Waterfoot, and beyond the war memorial, returning the same way past a couple of giant winnebago vehicles. How do they fit on our roads?! A pleasant enough outing whilst we waited for school chuck out time. 

This is where we joined the Pennine Bridleway before heading downstream behind the photographer. The route upstream takes you up through the tunnel above Sue's head, towards Bacup. We have done the whole route in the past with the grandchildren. (See here.)