Diary Update

Thursday 6 March - crocuses in Solihull, before Sue's father's funeral, which went as planned apart from the unexpected illness of one of the mourners.

Friday 7 March - a lovely day with Isabella.

Saturday 8 March - Wythenshawe parkrun #609. 318 participants. 37:37 for me after I decided to walk after the first 2.5km lap. Full results are here.

Briefing from a DofE student

Volunteers getting ready to man the finishing line

318 fit easily onto the start line

The Barbers were out in force, with Frankie having returned from Vancouver for a few days.

Sunday 9 March - Wythenshawe Community Run - a 5km jog with Colin Davies. 33:46 for 5km today.

March 8 - 15 - a trip to Finland for Sue. She has sent me the following pictures and may in due course provide a separate diary entry. Envious? Yes!

Wednesday 12 March - Paul, Jeanette and Rufus joined me for a pleasant 10km Bollin Valley wander. A familiar route previously reported on here. 

Today the Bollin was calm and the hedgerows were showing the first signs of spring, though the weather is cooler this week.

At Ashley Hall some 'Tatton Studios' have appeared - a potato barn and a barley barn, but who knows their actual purpose?

Thursday 13 March - admin and TGO Challenge route vetting duties. 

Friday 14 March - a bit of planning.

Here's a summary of some walks and bike rides I'm planning. They are detailed on topwalks.com, and that web page will be updated for any changes. I'll try to add some travel tips for the GM Ringway stages. All welcome.

Monday 17 March
GM Ringway Trail - Stage 2 - Sale Water Park to Didsbury Village. Meet at 11:00am at

Sale Water Park metrolink station for this second 12km stage of the 20 stage circuit 

of Greater Manchester.

Monday 31 March
Stocks Reservoir circular walk. Meet at School Lane car park, Dalehead, near Slaidburn (SD 546 455) at 11:00am for a 11km stroll around the reservoir.

Friday 11 April
60km circuit: Timperley Bridge (meet there at 9:00am) > Bridgewater Canal > Stretford > Trans Pennine Trail > Peak Forest Canal > Ashton Canal > Manchester > Timperley.

Wednesday 16 April
GM Ringway Trail - Stage 3 - Didsbury Village to Bramhall Station. Meet at 11:00am 

at Didsbury Village metrolinkfor this third 12km stage of the 20 stage circuit of 

Greater Manchester.

Thursday 24 April

A 70km circuit starting at 9:00 from Timperley Bridge. Bridgewater Canal 

> Pennington Flash > Mucky Mountains Nature Reserve > Sankey Valley > 

Trans Pennine Trail > Timperley.

Wednesday 30 April

Willington. A circuit of a length suitable for those attending, but at least 5km, 

from the Sandstone Trail car park at Willington Corner 0.5km southeast of 

Kelsall (SJ 534 667). Start at 10am.

Friday 9 May

GM Ringway Trail - Stage 4 - Bramhall Station to Middlewood Station. 

Meet at 11:00am at Bramhall Station for this fourth 13km stage of the 

20 stage circuit of Greater Manchester.

Thursday 5 June

Silverdale. A walk starting around 10:30am from RSPB Leighton Moss 

(members only car park) after refreshments in the cafe. 

Adjustable route, up to 23km.

Wednesday 11 June

GM Ringway Trail - Stage 5 - Middlewood Station to Strines Station. 

Meet at 11:00am at Middlewood Station for this fifth 13km stage of the 

20 stage circuit of Greater Manchester.

Sunday 20 July

Hathersage Hilly Triathlon.

7 to 17 September
Collett's Mountain Holidays - Austrian Alps - Ehrwald.

Sunday 7 December

The Tatton Yule Yomp - a 10km gallop around Tatton Park, starting at 9:30am.

Sunday 14 December

A Christmas Walk - provisionally starting at 10.00am from outside the 

Lime Lounge Coffee House in Bakewell (SK 218 686, by the bridge), 

stopping at The Crispin in Great Longstone for lunch.