Monday 27 July 2026 - A Stroll to Dunham Massey

Sue, Jenny, Andy and I set off from Timperley Bridge at 11am and were joined by Paul, Jeanette and Rufus half an hour later at Seamons Bridge. It was a pleasant walk along the Bridgewater Canal towpath, with a wide variety of wild flowers, and ripening blackberries, on this route full of greenery.

A little further on, a pair of swans were minding their two offspring, and a mallard was keeping a close eye on her six, healthy looking, ducklings.

The blue flash of a kingfisher caused a bit of excitement as it was then seen to launch itself from a branch into the canal, emerging with a fish either for itself or its young.

After a while we came to the point where the canal has been closed since 1 January 2025, following a breach caused by heavy rain. The section between Dunham and Agden Bridge is targeted to be reopened by the end of 2026, though a lot of work will be needed to clear vegetation and other debris, as well as making good the breach and installing precautionary hardware to prevent further breaches.

It's amazing how quickly the towpath and its supports have succumbed to the lack of water and maintenance.

The above pictures were taken from the left hand bank, where we assembled on a magnificent bridge that sports a fine view across to the fields of Dunham Massey, as well as disclosing some of the damage on the towpath side.

After passing the C17th corn mill (below) that was converted to a sawmill in 1860, we found our way to some very comfortable seating in the café where we must have spent a good hour or so.

The front of the hall is in a mess at present due to conservation work to the path in front of the house.

From outside the hall, we took the path down Smithy Drive to exit towards Dunham Town.

Soon we were on the field path to the golf course.

We exited from the woodland next to the golf course and made our way via Denzell Gardens and the Devisdale to Altrincham and the easy walk home after I'd relieved Tesco of some ingredients for dinner.

Here's our route - always a pleasure - about 15 km with 100 metres ascent, taking 4 hours plus a lengthy break in the Dunham Massey café.

 

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.

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!

Before acting as A&E chauffeur, Sue had successfully completed the 8.3 km course in 43:55, coming second out of 29 finishers in her age category.

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!

Rain and Run

9 June - a quiet time in Timperley. Except for the vegetation, which is growing at a furious rate.

I was looking out for Kingfishers whilst sheltering from a brief shower. They didn't oblige.

By Saturday, it was time for another 5km run. Parkrun's usual venue wasn't available, so we adjourned to the back-up route which is also the original route on which Paul once came in first. I think he still holds the record for the slowest first position.

And so we gathered in the field behind the running track.

After a slow start, I passed Jeanette near the end. Here she is, finishing in front of a lady with a hair problem.

And here's her bag man.

We were slowed down by the grass, but we benefited from what appeared to be a 4.9km course. Full results are here.

Sue finished in 25:11, position 84 out of 317 participants.

I was in position 224 in 32:25.

A nice bit of exercise...

In the garden this morning (16 June), I turned on Seek to identiy a most persistent noisy bird that turned out to be a coal tit, and after a few minutes the following birds had passed within earshot:

Blackbird
Coal Tit

Dunnock

Goldfinch

Robin

House Sparrow

Carrion Crow

Starling

Jackdaw

Black-headed Gull

Barn Owl