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.

26 to 30 July 2025 - Runs, Scarborough, Cricket, and a stroll along the Cleveland Way

This is a catch up entry covering the last few days.

On Saturday 26 July Sue and I both joined 405 finishers at the Wythenshawe parkrun #627 - Sue in 24:35 (position 92) and me in 32:40 (position 304).

Full results are here.

After that we went to Hathersage to meet Anne and Ulrich. Sue joined them on a ride to Tideswell.

Then they went back to Sheffield, and Sue and I went home.

Sunday 27 July - I volunteered to marshal at the 2km turnaround point for the Wythenshawe Community Run.

Monday 28 July found us on the road to Scarborough, where we stayed for two nights in the iconic Grand Hotel. It's a huge place and we had a nice big room.

Albeit the seagulls had done their best to blur our vision.

Richard and Jenny had a turret room, from which several porthole photos were taken.

I went for a walk while the others went for a cold water swim. Meanwhile, the room above us ran a bath, the water from which exercise made its way into our room, dripping onto our bed and possessions through the light fittings. Luckily nothing was damaged and we we given another room.

It's a magnificent building with a huge atrium.

Most of our group of eight found their way to a convenient bar, and a meal at the Richard III restaurant. Richard himself was absent, as he got involved in the rescue of a neighbour's cat that had found its way into their house whilst they were packing their car earlier.

Tuesday 29 July - six of us (Richard made it back from his 'cat rescue' incident) made our way to Scarborough's cricket pitch, where in perfect weather we enjoyed the first day of a county match between Yorkshire and Sussex. The moderate crowd was allowed to inspect the pitch and play ball games on the outfield during the lunch and tea breaks.

Scoring was slow. I took one picture of the action - by chance I captured the dismissal of Sussex's Carson, being caught by Yorkshire's Lyth. If you expand the image you can spot the red ball traveling into Lyth's cupped hands.

The facade of the Grand Hotel looked magnificent in the evening sunlight, before we headed off past the harbour to 'Ask Italian' for some nice food.

Meanwhile, Sue and Jenny had enjoyed a 30 mike bike ride while the rest of us were relaxing at the cricket.

Wednesday 30 July. We gathered in the spacious foyer before heading north to Cloughton.

All eight of us were soon striding out along the Cleveland Way footpath.

A five minute diversion led to 'elevenses'. Jenny and Sue had called in here yesterday.

The coast path is anything but flat, but the views are good.

Lunch was taken in a rocky field before we left the coast path and made our way to the Cinder Track that was reached via an awkward stile.

It's a lovely gentle woodland track, in great contrast to the hilly coast path.

Sue found a Magpie Moth.

And Broad-leaved Helleborine.

Here's our route (apart from Julie, who took a shortcut). Around 16km with 250 metres ascent, taking about four and a half hours.

Then we had an uneventful drive home.