Happy Christmas and Best Wishes for 2021

 With Very Best Wishes from Martin and Sue in Timperley.

A Christmas Quiz

I've recorded a number of picture quizzes on these pages over the years, mostly documenting the quiz that I habitually set for our annual Christmas walk that is attended by around thirty people. This year Covid affected those plans, but a quiz was held on Sunday, thanks to Zoom, my technical guru Jenny, and the submission of some great pictures by participants.

Here are the pictures, together with an abbreviated set of 37 questions. The Sunday version had about 45 questions, and three teams got around 29 points - Sue B, Sue and Phil, and Martin and Jo. Well done to all of them. Prizes will be awarded next time I see them for beer in a pub. (Could be some time.)

How many can you score?

Which Water is this?

How deep is it?

What is this structure known as?

It was built in 1817 to commemorate what?

Where is this?

Of what range of hills is it the highest point?

What is the common name for this Alpine flower?

Name the loch?

Name the mountain?

What is this sculpture in the Pennines?

In which county may it be found?

Name this fine Torridon mountain?

From where was the picture taken?

Name the two closer hills?

Name the castle?

What is behind Richard and Jenny?

What country were they in?

What is this?

Where was the picture taken?

Where is this lunch spot for a walk in Cheshire?

Name the bird?

Which mountain are Keith and Carol ascending?

Name the mountain in the background?

Where is this 1810 structure?

Whose Golden Jubilee does it commemorate?

Name the mere?

Which bird could have taken the picture?

What is this?

Sightings near here of which animal occasionally surprised walkers in post-war times?

Name this flower, that when eaten by cows results in chocolate flavoured milk?

Name the island?

Name the foreground peak (on the left)?

What is Phil not looking at?

What would he find if he went there (within the clump of trees)?

What hill am I looking at?

Which animal features in the middle distance?

Where am I Now?

I haven't time to log all the Christmas quiz pictures today, so here's another random effort, from 25 September 2005. It's obviously the Peak District, but can anyone remind me as to which dale we were looking into?

Another Stroll to Dunham Massey and back

This is another 'repeat report' cataloging yet another stroll beside the canal to Dunham Massey and back, a 13 km walk taking about two and a half hours.

Beyond Seamons Moss Bridge the towpath gets very muddy at this time of year. It's a shame that the proper re-surfacing of the Bridgewater Way route seems to be on hold. I can't find evidence of a 'Plan'; perhaps it's a secret.

We passed a large barge moored not far from Dunham Massey. The picture shows raindrops in the water, but it didn't really rain until we got back to Timperley, from where Richard and Jenny had a wet ride home, and I had a wet visit to the empty Spar shop.

As usual, we left the towpath by the Swan with Two Nicks. Closed at the time, so we used one of their picnic tables for a coffee and cake break.

The red deer we saw recently still adorn the entrance to Dunham Massey Hall.

And the towpath in Dunham seemed to be even more muddy on the return journey.

Near Altrincham, the extensive grounds of the Linotype Works are now filling up with new housing. I wonder what will happen to the main building and the tower?

We were home with bragging rights to show off to about twenty other 'Sunday Christmas Walkers' when we signed in to our traditional Christmas quiz, which sadly this year couldn't take place in the cosy confines of the Crispin Inn in Great Longstone. A variety of kitchen/living room/study, etc venues had to suffice for this. However, the pictures were appreciated, and will form the basis of my next posting.

Another Saturday Morning at the Park

Another day, another (not)parkrun, my 181st daily 5 km saunter. That was before breakfast. Then Annie joined us on Zoom to take part in the 40th and final parkrun quiz hosted on Saturday mornings by Vassos Alexander. We are sad to see that Covid has sapped the energy of parkrun to this extent, but it does mean that in future we will get a bit more of a lie in before tootling around our 5 km course from home, then cycling down to the park to chat - socially distanced of course - with a few like minded souls.

The cafe staff who have appreciated our takeaway business during 2020 were very kind and handed out goodie bags with a scone and a mince pie to all the regulars. Brilliant.

Today was the traditional 'dress for Christmas' day, so I cycled down in my tree garb, which pleased everyone, including Isabella, who turned up with Mike and Sarah. Apparently Isabella likes green things, so I was popular for a while, and took my turn in pushing the pram.

Merry Christmas, everyone.

Tuesday 15 and Friday 18 December 2020 - Two Trips to Shutlingsloe

It's our tradition to enjoy an evening walk up Shutlingsloe, 'The Matterhorn of Cheshire', shortly before Christmas. As we aren't supposed to move around in large groups these days, six of us went up on Tuesday, and five on Friday. It was a warm evening for both trips, if breezy on top. Tuesday's walk was enjoyed by Sue, Al, Andrew, Diana, Joe and me.

The cloud level hovered over the summit, making it all a bit 'atmospheric', especially when the singing started!

Someone kindly provided mulled wine and goodies, then we went back down to Trentabank, using torches that weren't necessary on the ascent, to avoid stumbling.

The lights over Greater Manchester were impressive, even if my crappy photo suggests otherwise.

On Friday's excursion I was joined by Richard, who took this selfie on the summit.

Graham, Gwynedd and Claire also came along, hampered slightly by Gwynedd's forgetting to bring a torch, which on this evening we used for the ascent as well as the descent. We half expected my nephew Toby to turn up, but he must have been distracted by new fatherhood duties. ('Hello Toby'.)

My summit pictures were all blurred. Apologies for that.

Unlike on Tuesday, there was no evidence of anyone else on the hill on this evening, but there was a bit of drizzle on the ascent, albeit the view over Manchester was clearer this time.

Due to Covid, we missed our usual beers at the nearby Leather's Smithy and went straight home on both evenings, on Tuesday abandoning the car park to some disco ravers, and on Friday - in my case - after a few laps of the car park. Oops!

I haven't gone into more detail, as I've written about various trips to Shutlingsloe, many times before.

Hopefully, those who survive until next December will be able to enjoy a Covid free walk, preceded by a pub meal and followed by some welcome beers.

Friday 18 December 2020 - Alderley Edge revisited

In fairly dreary weather, six of us (me, Sue, Graeme, Paul, Jeanette and Jenny) and Rufus the dog assembled at the National Trust car park by the Wizard cafe to enjoy a modest stroll in the environs of Alderley Edge.

I've written about this area many times before - there are already 18 postings with the 'Alderley Edge' label, so I don't propose to labour further in this entry.

The dull day made for difficulty in getting any decent pictures, but here are what I did manage to take. Click on any of them for a better image/slideshow.

Above, our socially distanced group on the corner of Bradford Lane and Hocker Lane.

Below, Rufus led the way along Hocker Lane.

A brook by Hocker Lane

We ventured briefly into Alderley Park, where Jeanette used to go running at lunch times when she worked for AstraZeneca. There are various ornamental ponds, etc, as well as Radnor Mere and some well used paths and a host of picnic tables, some of which are under cover. We enjoyed coffee and cake here, whilst it tried to rain.

We got back to Hocker Lane and headed towards Clinton Hill, where the next two pictures were taken.

On reaching the B5087, a busy road, we were presented with a home made sign discouraging use of the public footpath past Adders Moss Farm. Not wishing to upset the residents, albeit the use of the path would be harmless and legal, we took an alternative route along the road and then past Mount Farm, where no objection was made, though we had to negotiate slurry and a muck spreader.

We made it without mishap, apart from a short 'Martin's meander', to the environs of Alderley Edge, with Rufus doing the navigating after I'd been sacked for going the wrong way.

Back at the friendly cafe, we enjoyed takeaway coffees (thanks, Paul), and a line up of the reconstituted 'Three Musketeers' was captured on film.

Luckily, the picnic tables have been fitted with substantial covers to keep clients dry. This is the way of the current world - takeaway fare consumed outdoors under cover.

Here's today's route - rather less than 10 km, taking us two and a half hours.

Thursday 17 December 2020 - A Sunny Day in the North

While I was supervising the decorator and vetting TGO Challenge routes, and Sue was supervising vaccinations with an unexpected result, these two went swanning off to distant sunny parts. It looks cold, though. Where were they today?

TGO Challenge - Wild Camps (No 47: 16 May 2013)

After a semi rest day (late start, only 17 km of walking, tent up at 5 pm) I reached NH 888 363, just above a lunch hut in which Ali O, who arrived at 8 pm, spent the night.

I'd come over Carn na Sguabaich, which presented no difficulties, and hurriedly got my tent up at about 350 metres, perhaps not in the best spot, but just before the arrival of a hailstorm.