9 to 25 July 2026 - Around Timperley

Thursday 9 July

A walk to Timperley centre took me through Pickering Lodge Park to a building on which Nick Taylor, artist, has been commissioned to provide a bit of colour.

Saturday 11 July

Wythenshawe parkrun #674. Thanks to Ischia Bursitis I walked around the 5 km course in 47:58, coming home in position 380 out of 404 finishers.

The leaders lapped me as I paused at Far Bridge.

Meawhile, Sue ran around the Brueton parkrun in 25:15, finishing in position 112 out of 421 finishers.

Sunday 12 July

On a 5 km walk from home, a fallen tree on the path that runs beside De Quincey Park. The blockage was properly dealt with within 48 hours, leaving a few pathside logs and a pile of sawdust.

Readers may have noticed - the usual boggy section is now a pleasantly dry path, and the sun has continued to shine throughout the period covered by this posting and both before and after those dates.

Tuesday 14 July

Another tree lined passage on our 5 km walk from home. I love this section that emerges onto the canal towpath.

Wednesday 15 July

Another sunny day, beside the Bridgewater Canal near Sale - sent to BBC weatherwatchers, but not used by them.

Our house needs a new roof. Scaffolding goes up whilst I find a bit of shade under one of our shrubs.

Friday 17 July

A Sale Sizzler - the well attended annual event organised by Sale Harriers. Sue ran around the 5 km course in 24:03, in position 274 out of 356 finishers, in this 3rd out of the 4 events this year..

I decided not to take part. Walking pace thanks to Ischia Bursitis would have been just too slow for this event.

Monday 20 July

The Steel Cotton Rail Trail - see separate report on the walk from Sheffield to Grindleford.

Tuesday 21 July

The Alderley Park Trail Race is a little over 8 km. Looking at previous results I decided that even at walking pace I shouldn't  quite be last to finish. So we both went to Alderley Park, collected our numbers, passed the time with some friends, and readied for the off.. 

Off we went. Here's a view from last place.

It's a lovely woodland route over two laps. We did it a couple of years ago (see here). I passed three people and spent the rest of the walk trying to keep up with a lady who remained about 20 metres ahead of me.

After about 4 km, the leaders started to lap me. Here's Daniel Cliffe, who finished in 27:20, flying past over a minute ahead of anyone else.

Others followed.

Meanwhile, I tripped a couple of times but managed to get to the finish in 1:11:09, coming home in position 492 out of the 495 finishers.

I kept the first aiders busy for a while before adjourning to Wythenshawe Hospital A&E department. Injuries to my left hand needed a good wash, before a few stitches sealed the wounds. I arrived at A&E at 9:30 and left at 1:30 in the morning, feeling very relieved at the mild nature of my injury. Just a flesh wound, amidst breakages and pain.

Later: I was surprised to receive a voucher for £35 for coming first in my 75 to 80 age group!

Wednesday 22 July

Tony, Baz and the lads have made good progress with the roof.

While you are here, how about a new roof for our car port, new gutters, sundry painting, etc?

Saturday 25 July

Wythenshawe parkrun number 675 - I volunteered as Tail Walker and strolled around the 5 km route in 56:34 with a First Timer, Theresa. Meanwhile Sue took 25:24 in position 81 out of the 383 finishers.

Here's Sue, with Owen, before the start. Despite warnings about falling over, Owen appeared at the finish dripping with blood from such an injury. Luckily very much a bit of a flesh wound!