Thursday 10 April 2025 - Branstree and Selside Pike

With the wonderful spring weather continuing, Sue and I couldn't resist a day in the Lake District.

We set off at 8am and found a space in the small car park at Mardale Head. Then we headed up towards Gatesgarth Pass, being passed by Jack, taking advantage of a 'QMD'. A Quality Mountain Day to log in his mountain guide training log book. He kindly took the above photo before continuing up to the pass.

There were good views back towards Haweswater, which looks a little short of water just now.

A slow plod up the good track led to the pass.

The camera's panoramic setting offered a comprehensive view of the High Street massif.

Whilst others on the hill made their way towards Harter Fell, we chose a Wainwright summit that neither of us had previously visited - Branstree. There's not much left of any trig point. Behind me in the next picture are Pennine summits, with Cross Fell dominant.

Whilst there was distant haze, the views were wide ranging. Harter Fell failed to block the view to the Scafells.

Beyond the grassy summit, it was a short descent to the large cairn at Artlecrag Pike, where there were convenient rocks on which to perch for an elevenses break.

After chatting to a couple of Wainwright bagging Liverpudlians, we headed over to the Birkett summit of High Howes, on the way to which we passed a survey post built during the construction of the Haweswater Aqueduct by Manchester Corporation. From the top of High Howes we looked back to see one of the Liverpudians standing on top of this structure.

There were views down to Haweswater and, from below the summit of Selside Pike, across to High Street, with Riggindale Crag dominant.

That was a lovely lunch spot, after which we contoured around the hill to enjoy views into Swindale.

We duly arrived at the Old Corpse Road, the route by which Mardale's dead were taken by horseback for burial at Shap, the last such journey being recorded in 1736.

A lovely descent, it passes some ruined peat cutters' cottages before emerging from a steep zigzag path onto the lakeside road.

There's a lakeside path, on which we enjoyed the remains of our refreshments, then the path rejoined the road, 'for safety reasons', leaving us with a final kilometre along the quiet road.

Having set off at around 10am, we were back at the car by 3pm, leaving us time to visit Don and Liz in Preston on our way home..

Today's outing was about 9.5km, with 560 metres ascent, taking a leisurely five hours or so. A really excellent day out.

Tuesday 8 April 2025 - Dot's 100th Birthday

After our local walk with Bluebells in De Quincey Park, Sue and I visited Dot to treat her with a sausage sandwich and a game of nomination whist, not to mention a little help with today's crossword, which she had already nearly completed.

She had cards from family, and a few friends, but most of those are no longer with us - she has outlived the majority of her contemporaries and relies on an elderly neighbour, Roger, for day to day interaction. Many thanks, Roger.

Charles and Camilla had been in touch.

One of my nephews had provided Dot with a few questions. Just to retain the record of her answers, here are both the questions and the answers as dictated to Sue. Probably only of interest to family members, you can view the text properly if you click on the images.

So, no big celebration, and Dot is finding it hard work even having dribs and drabs of visitors. Her short term memory is a little debilitating. Thanks also go to the live-in carers who take turns in looking after Dot in the comfort of her own home.

Tuesday 8 April 2025 - Bluebells in De Quincey Park

Whilst not spotted on last Saturday's Peak District walk, we now seem to be seeing Bluebells almost everywhere, firstly by De Quincey Park, and then beside the canal towpath and in woodland all around Manchester. Some better pictures may follow.

The sunny weather continues...

Monday 7 April 2025 - Wyre Levee Stompers at Eagley Jazz Club

This excellent six man band entertained us royally at Eagley on Monday afternoon. The lunchtime performances seem to be attracting about the same numbers as the evening events, which have received criticism from some of the more elderly in the audience, who find driving outside daylight hours something of a challenge.

Here's the club report, with a good video:

What a fabulous Jazz event we had today! The Wyre Levee Stompers certainly had the feet tapping and ended their set with rapturous applause from a very appreciative audience!

https://www.facebook.com/eagleyjazzclub/videos/662637419733154

See them again at Eagley Jazz Club on the afternoon of 18th August.

Our next event is on 28th April when our band will be the New Orleans Joys. This will be an afternoon event, doors open at 11am.

Please note there is no Jazz event on 21st April due to the Easter Bank Holiday.

Saturday 5 April 2025 - TGO Challenge reunion walk from Hayfield

After completing the Lyme Park parkrun, Sue and I went to park outside the Sportsman Inn, near Hayfield, and set off on Graham Brookes TGO Challenge Reunion walk at about 10:30, half an hour after others had started.

It was a lovely blue sky day with a cool breeze and good views across to Kinder Scout.

We followed the Pennine Bridleway around Mount Famine and were surprised to catch up with Graham's group near spot height 431.

The group had been decimated by a stiff breeze on Mount Famine. Some had returned to Hayfield, others had chosen a lower level route to Whitehough. Spectacles had been blown away, hats and buffs also. Sue and I were happy to pause with the rag tag band in the shelter of a dry stone wall.

After the welcome coffee and cake break (Sue and I hadn't stopped since leaving home at 8:15) we strolled on towards the splendid viaduct near Chinley.

After that, nice paths led to the Paper Mill Inn, outside which David and Martin, who had taken a short cut route, were tucking into their beers.

Water power was needed to operate the mill, hence this weir on Black Brook.

After our lengthy lunch break, there being no time pressure, we headed steadily up Chinley Churn The ubiquitous Primroses were joined by Butterbur, Lesser Celandine, Lady's Mantle, Buttercups, Dandelions, Dog Violets and more.. It was breezy on top.

At this point most of the party disappeared, probably finding a direct route back, whilst Graham led his remaining few followers over rough ground to view some fossils.

There were a number of resting places, to which our party took full advantage whilst Graham rummaged for more fossils.

David enjoyed a snooze. The sheep were curious.

Those last few pictures are in a sort of random order. After that we wound our way down to Peep-O-Day Farm and some nice paths featuring lovely sunken lanes, back to the Sportsman Inn.

We got back in plenty of time for the 7:30 meal for 23 reunioners, Sue and I having followed the 19km route with 600 metres ascent shown below.

Alistair reappeared from a bus for the tasty meal, and after most people had adjourned to the campsite we took ourselves home. Luckily for Alistair, our route passed his house.

Thanks go to David Hardy for organising the reunion, and to Graham for arranging the walk, albeit he failed completely to keep all but a few of his followers in order!

Saturday 5 April 2025 - Lyme Park parkrun #496

We were due to enjoy a TGO reunion walk from Hayfield, so Sue and I stopped off at Lyme Park to limber up for the walk. It was another lovely day. (We had enjoyed Friday with Isabella - report on a separate private word document.)

Sue and I were both mostly walking but I just about kept up with Alistair Pooler and Jenny Raffle, both of whom are TGO Challengers, but  they were not to be joining us later on the reunion walk from Hayfield.

The parkrun heads steeply up towards Bow Stones, turning left over easier ground to Harpers Wood, before climbing again up Cage Hill to the Cage. I was just about keeping up with Alistair, in bright yellow, after taking account of my stops for photos.

Beyond the Cage, superb views opened up and whilst Alistair was now a yellow speck far ahead, Jenny Raffle was more or less alongside. We had a brief chat before she passed me on the final gruelling ascent to the finish. A time of 36.59 for me - not my quickest 5km!

Sue strolled in about ten minutes later.

It's a tough but not too crowded run. Just the one lap, and fabulous views on a sunny day like this.

Full results are here. I was position 132 out of 164 participants; Sue was 158.

Anyway, that warmed me up for tail running at Sunday's Wythenshawe Community Run. Well attended. I jogged along with a 'Couch to 5km' lady who was running 5km for the very first time. She did well, finishing in under 40 minutes.