17 and 18 August 2025 - Cricket and a Bike Ride

Another blue sky day was in evidence as I took a stroll by the canal, heading towards Old Trafford cricket ground where Richard and I enjoyed a couple of matches in the 'Hundred' tournament.

The Manchester side won both the women's and the men's matches against foe from the other side of the Pennines. So most people went away happy but sunburnt.

The women's match was a close, low scoring, affair, played out in a half full stadium, though we were told that the attendance of about 12,000 was a record for a women's match.

Pictured above, the women's set up, with the men's below - the boundary was extended for the men, but that didn't stop the Manchester team from hitting sixes into the crowd with ease. Their total of over 170 runs proved too much for the Yorkshire side, who struggled to get much beyond 100 before they were all out.

After such perfect weather on Sunday, it was a little disappointing to wake to a cloudy sky today. Sue and I took the bikes to Rose Hill in Marple for a ride to Bollington and back. Soon after setting off we came across the first signs of autumn - a lone tree seems to have got its seasons mixed up!

We were here on 29 January this year - my report is here - and today we took the same 20 mile route, starting on the Middlewood Way, turning down the hill into Bollington just beyond the Bollington Labyrinth.

Disused stations were passed, before we crossed the viaduct that carried the railway past Bollington.

Beyond the Labyrinth, we made the short diversion to the excellent Mulberry Leaf cafe. Scrambled egg (lots of egg) for Sue, and a sausage bap for me (lots of sausage). 

Then a short climb back to the Middlewood Way, which we followed to its terminus, where a short link path leads to the Macclesfield Canal at bridge number 30.

It's a lovely bike ride all the way to Marple.

Outside one of the marinas - something of an obstacle!

We counted down from Bridge 30 all the way down to Bridge number 1. Lots of bridges. The 20 mile ride took a little over two hours plus our lengthy cafe break. Here is the route (copied from my January entry). A lovely way to spend a summery Monday morning.

Wednesday 29 January 2025 - A Bike ride - Marple and Bollington

Just Sue and me for this advertised ride. The plan had been to go through Lyme Park to New Mills and back, but we decided to avoid any hills, leaving them for a warmer day. Thus we set off at 10:30 from Rose Hill in Marple, at the end of the Middlewood Way. We soon passed through the site of High Lane railway station, as we followed the Middlewood Way all the way to beyond Bollington, along the disused railway line.

The remains of the station at Higher Poynton are a much more elaborate affair.

There are views over Bollington, with White Nancy in the background, from the viaduct in Bollington.

After passing most of the old town, we came to The Bollington Labyrinth, a structure based on a Greek design whereby the seven rings of a single path are contained within eight concentric walls, with two added arms enabling access from other points at its sides.

Just beyond the Labyrinth, we turned right down Grimshaw Lane to reach the Mulberry Leaf cafe, where we enjoyed coffee and cake at a table shared by two local musicians..

An hour passed very quickly. It's not far from there to the end of the Middlewood Way, and a left turn to join the Macclesfield Canal towpath for the return to Marple. The towpath soon changes sides, offering a pleasant view from the top of a bridge.

It was a lovely sunny day, not too cold, and the towpath was pretty much free from mud and puddles and people.

The next set of pictures were taken as we passed through Bollington and then the countryside to Marple.

In Marple there must havve been an 'event' that has left the canal, between two locks, bereft of water.

Workmen appeared to be discussing the situation.

Beyond the drained canal, we took a left turn along Stockport Road to return to the car park at the end of the Middlewood Way next to Rose Hill Station.

Here's our route - about 31km, with minimal ascent, taking us two and a half hours plus an hour in the cafe. What a lovely way to spend a morning.

By way of a reminder, my little programme of activities is here. It'll be added to shortly. Let me know if you plan to come along.

Wednesday 8 January 2025 - Another Bollington Circuit

We've been here before, so little by way of commentary is needed - just enjoy the pictures. Click on any of them for a slideshow. Click here for an earlier report on this walk, with  a history of White Nancy, and here for all our Bollington walks since 2007.

I think it's the first time we've walked this route in snow. Sue and I were joined by Cary, who conveniently has winter tyres for his car. Here he is, slogging his way up the final steep slope to White Nancy, with (above) views back to snow clad Bollington and as far as the skyscrapers of Manchester.

We  soon set off along the Saddle of Kerridge, into a hazy sun.

The Saddle is blessed with  some lovely woodland, particularly attractive in the fresh snow.

There are views to the east down to the village of Rainow.

It's a good walk up Kerridge Hill, seen below in the distance beyond a lady carrying a child in a papoose who had passed us, from where you can continue towards Rainow for a choice of ways back to Bollington. 

Our route goes to the right by the wall in the middle distance.

A gentle descent on a good path, with some switchbacks needed to stay on the right of way, brought us conveniently to an elevenses bench near Swanscoe Hall. Cary's fig rolls were much appreciated.

Soon we reached the Macclesfield Canal, and an easy walk back to Bollington along the snowy towpath.. Here, way below the ridge, it was not quite so scenic as cloud had rolled in and the tree branches down here had released their overnight snow.

Some of the flowerheads had gathered a crust of hoar frost.

I think Sue's picture (below) trumps mine.

There were some slithers involved in crossing from one side of the canal to the other.

Soon afterwards we strolled into Bollington at 13:19, after a three hour walk of 9.26 kilometres, according to my 'phone.

We decided to look for a cafe for lunch, rather than drive home. The Mulberry Leaf saw to all our needs, with excellent, tasty food for up to £10 a head.

A very jolly outing in excellent conditions. Thanks to Cary for joining us and providing the transport.

Here's the current programme. Feel free to join me/us, but best check the topwalks.com website for any changes, or let me know if you are coming.

Thursday 16 January	Bike Ride	The Fallowfield Loop - a 40km circuit, starting from Timperley Bridge at 9.30am. Cafe at the Velodrome.
Tuesday 21 January	Day Walk	Rivington Terraced Gardens - A Leisurely Exploration. Meet at the Great House Barn on Rivington Lane at 10:30am.
Wednesday 29 January	Bike Ride	From Rose Hill, Marple, a 35km circuit > Middlewood Way > Lyme Park > New Mills > Brook Bottom > Mellor Church > Marple Bridge > Marple. Start at 10:30am. Bring a snack - it'll take 3-4 hours.
Thursday 13 February	Day Walk	GM Ringway Trail - Stage 1 - Manchester to Sale Water Park. Meet at 10:30am in St Peter's Square for this first 12km stage of the 20 stage circuit of Greater Manchester. (An experiment.)
Tuesday 18 February	Bike Ride	A 50km lollipop route to Moore Lane (by Moore, beyond Warrington) and back, mainly on the Trans Pennine Trail. Start at 9:30am from Timperley Bridge, 9:35 from Seamons Bridge.
Wednesday 26 February	Day Walk	Delph Reservoir. A 12km circuit from the car park at SD 699 166 to the north of Delph Reservoir, near Dimple, north of Egerton, for a circuit of the reservoir. Start at 10am.