Postcard from Timperley: 23/02/2025

Thursday, 27 February 2025

Wednesday 26 February 2025 - Delph Reservoirs Walk

This was a lovely day out with Sheila, Andy, Sue and Alan (he's the dot in the background retrieving his camera.

The route was inspired by Alan's walk on a similar route in June 2021, on which he reported in more depth than I have time to devote to this brief diary entry - here.

Alan has also reported on today's walk, here.

After crossing the main Blackburn Road, we soon came to a complex junction of paths.

With views down to Delph Reservoir, a right turn along the indistinct path of the Witton WeaversWay took us through grassland to the 329 metre summit of Cheetham Close, our high point of the day.

We didn't get to the bottom of the purpose of several posts, but we did locate the Stone Circle marked on the map. Andy later discovered that it was vandalised by a local farmer with a sledge hammer in the 18th century.

My 'selfie' skills leave a lot to be desired!

Thanks go to Sue for this picture at the summit.

We made our way back to the Blackburn Road, via an elevenses break at Horridge's Farm, passing Dimple Hall, and enjoying a pleasant footpath beside a stream.

After using a minor private road to avoid a very boggy field path, we were told off by the owner before proceeding to a graveyard next to a chapel that looks as if it has been converted to a private home.

With the reservoir's dam towering above us we made our way along a brilliantly constructed path below the reservoir.

The outflow gleamed in the sunlight and we looked up to a very long fish ladder (or is it?).

The pleasant surroundings of Eagley Brook provided a fine location for lunch.

Then we continued for the entire length of Longworth Clough, passing the derelict Spring Side paper works.

There were lots of Scarlet Elfcups.

And a curious seating area beside the river.

Alan noted in his 2021 report that planning permission for a housing estate on the paper mill's land has been granted. There is however no evidence of any effort to clear what must be a heavily contaminated site.

Beyond a sturdy little bridge, the path led steeply up to Longworth Road.

Further on, after crossing Longworth Road, we passed a pond. 'No Bathing', but a large chunk of worked rock provides a nice seat overlooking the (no) bathing. Nearby signs remind us of the hazards of jumping into cold water.

We then set off beside Stones Bank Plantation, thanking the luck that brought us a day free from the forecast rain, which judging by the next picture was lurking nearby.