A Happy Weekend in Timperley

After our trip to Delamere, Sue found a need to model her new dressing gown, aka 'dry robe', useful as a gadget under which she will be able to change in to and out of her swimming costume. (Though she does usually manage fine without such a 'robe'!)

Then we went to Hale, for an excellent dinner with delicious food and plenty of wine, with Paul, Jeanette and Andy.

It was lovely to be outside for the entire evening, and to watch the local bats as they harvested insects at dusk.

The following morning found us amongst 334 parkrunners at Wythenshawe Park. It was hot.

Here, some stalwart volunteers are waiting for the later arrivals at the finish.

The courtyard cafe seemed less officious than usual, with jugs of water available. Maybe the recent questionnaire that we completed has borne fruit!

A visit to Al, Hazel and Kate in Altrincham was the highlight of the rest of the day. Thanks for the tea and cake...

Sunday morning found me unexpectively volunteering at Wythenshawe Community Run, due to some no-shows. After getting back home, Sue and I cycled along the Bridgewater canal towpath for 10 miles or so, to the RHS Bridgewater Gardens.

Sue was particularly keen to view the progress made on the Chinese Streamside Garden.

It's looking good to my untrained eye.

The silted up pond below where the Lodge/Hall used to stand is now free of weed apart from a few flowering varieties, with ducks and coots in abundance.

The walled gardens were full of colour that I'll leave with readers by way of concluding this entry.

Spot the drag artists!

Looking towards the main building

Then a leisurely bike ride home in an hour or so - it's a 21 mile round trip, and a delicious meal of left-overs to conclude the weekend.

Friday 8 September 2023 - Around Delamere Forest

We couldn't possibly let the current warm weather pass without a walk. So on Friday Sue and I drove to Norley, where one of Jen Darling's 'More Pub Walks' adventures begins. We'd not done this walk before, but we are familiar with all the paths except those around Norley.

The walk started from the Tiger's Head pub. It's probably normally ok to use their car park, but today they were a wedding venue, with a huge marquee and lots of seating, so we parked around the corner and soon found the ginnel down which Jen's route starts. The view from the ginnel (above) indicates that we could have reached it from the pub's garden.

A leafy hedge soon produced mild claustrophobia!

A minor change to Jen's route to avoid passing close to the buildings of Home Farm found us beside a field of stunted barley.

After dropping to a farm entrance we turned right towards the building shown below.

That was a mistake, we should have gone left! Anyway, we did then go left, to reach Town Farm Lane, on which we passed a few more farms before taking a track to the right of 'The Oranges' then forking left past fields that are in fact the reinstated depths of Norley Sand Quarry. That quarry was one of the audit clients I dealt with in the early 1970s. I recall a brilliant bookkeeper, friendly staff, and the well kept records of a good business. As far as I know, it has now gone, though there are other sand quarries nearby.

The path dropped to a small stream in an area known as 'The Fishponds'. (No fish seen.)

Rising up the hillside ahead, we passed some flowers and walked through a motorcross track.

(As usual, click on any picture for a slideshow.)

Common Centaury

Tormentil

Bar Polypore

Motorcross rules

Another minor footpath change occurred at Brownmoss Farm, where walkers are now obliged to keep their distance before heading on a grassy track between fields, past Flaxmere.

Brownmoss Farm

Emerging at the Carriers Inn, we paused at the picnic benches next to Hatchmere. Very briefly. There were hungry mosquitoes.

We wound our way past the beaver enclosure and a 'Mr Fox' sculpture.

The shady paths on the hot day were most welcome. There were a few other walkers, and a cyclist or two, but this popular area wasn't exactly crowded, as we strolled on to enjoy a mosquito free elevenses break at a picnic table on the Sandstone Trail beyond Barnsbridge Gates.

After that it was a straightforward walk over the railway to a left turn beyond Eddisbury Lodge, past the new Visitor Centre, to Delamere Station, where we eschewed the cafe following our earlier picnic.

The path back to Norley soon left the forest and after an easily missed left turn just before 'The Firs', wound its way up along a grassy tractor track.

We missed the Gallows Clough Lane route recommended by Jen, and emerged onto the main road in Norley, beyond a profusion of botanic colour.

Just to the right of the next picture, a large number of bridesmaids were getting ready for action, so we decided against visiting the pub, admired the telephone box, and went home for lunch.

Here's our route - 13 km with 150 metres ascent, taking around three hours.

Followed by a superb dinner in P&J's garden on a perfect evening.

This and That

Well! August was the 'quietest' month since I started keeping records of walking exploits. Just one morning walk, and one evening walk. But there have been other things going on, so 'no matter'.

Here's a brief 'catch-up' of my recent photos.

(Above) Fletcher Moss parkrun was our Saturday morning choice, as Wyhenshawe Park was being used for a cycling event. Isabella was showing a great deal of interest and set off with all the other runners, skilfully avoiding being trampled by any of the other 400 or so participants. 

On the way to the start

Ready to run!

Two year old children shouldn't really be encouraged to run for 5km, so by the time we reached the River Mersey, after about 400 metres, Isabella jumped into her push chair to enjoy the remainder of the run from the luxury thereof, with Mike pushing, Sue running alongside, and grandad unable to keep up.

Zooming up the hill ahead of grandad

Full results are here. Then we adjourned to Didsbury Park.

"Hey Dad, is this cake really all for me?!"

Then we went back home and waved goodbye.

Sunday morning found me marshaling at 'The Bridge', for Wythenshawe Community Run, where the next few pictures were taken.

Tail Walkers returning to base

Before all this, Sue and I had been to Bacup to witness Jessica's preparation of a Friday evening meal for us. Spaghetti bolognese. Delicious, thank you Jessica.

Then she went for a bike ride. Jacob was absent on a weekend away with Rossendale Harriers. I hope he will be recovered in time for his first day back at school tomorrow (Wednesday).

My duties for this week include a daily visit to Didsbury to feed Millie, Mike and Sarah and Isabella's cat, whilst the owners are on holiday. The bike ride from Timperley to Didsbury and back is lovely and the return trip takes me rather longer than an hour and a half of towpath and Trans Pennine Trail cycling. If we went on holiday and looked for a 17 mile bike ride we might struggle to find such a good ride from the front door of our accommodation.

I've taken many pictures from this route in the past, and here are a few more from Northenden.

The Northenden Heron

The weir at Northenden

Looking back to the weir from Simons Bridge

Millie seemed happy enough

Back at home, a lengthy coffee break in the shade

In between not going for walks much more than a gentle 5km daily stroll from home, I've had some vicarious pleasure by way of producing a 30 page photobook for the Dales High Way trip Cary and I enjoyed this time last year. It's a shame to be ensconsed at home in the perfect weather that we should have had on that trip!

Cary approaching Malham Cove on 4 September 2022

That's it for now, I have a friend's autobiography to read and provide feedback on whether or not it might be 'publishable'. Next: an 8 mile walk around Delamere this coming Friday. Get in touch if you'd like to join us.