Walk 1: March 14 2009 7.5 miles Dovedale and the Manifold Valley Jane, Tracey, Hilary and Carol
Walk 2: April 4 2009 6 miles Alderley Edge, Carol, Hilary and Donna
Walk 3: May 9 2009 approx 10 miles Along the Shropshire Union Donna, Tracey, Carol and Hilary
Walk 4: June 13 2009 9.5 miles Foel Fenlli and Moel Famau Jane, Tracey, Donna, Carol and Hilary
Walk 5: June 20 2009 13.1 miles Midnight walk Hilary and Jane
Walk 6: July 25 2009 6.5 and 9.5 miles Along the Canal Donna, Hilary and Jane
Walk 7: August 7 2009 Goyt Valley Tracey, Hilary + Jane
Walk 8: August 23 2009 Ben Nevis Jane, Tracey, Donna, Hilary and Carol
Walk 9: September 19 2009 7 miles Ellesmere Tracey, Jane, Donna, Carol and Hilary.
Walk 10: October 17 2009 Walk along the canal 10 miles Donna, Hilary, Jane and Tracey
Walk 11: November 7 2009 Prestbury 6 miles Carol, Jane and Hilary
Walk 12: January 16 2010 Walk from Middlewich 7.5 miles Hilary, Tracey, Jane and Donna
Walk 13: February 27 2010 7 miles Whitegate Tracey, Hilary, Donna and Jane
Tuesday, 28 September 2010
Whitegate
Saturday 27 February 7 miles
Tracey, Hilary, Donna, Jane
There was rain in the air at the start so we weren't sure if we needed to wear weatherproofs or not. We didn't put them on. I thought I had my waterproofs in my bag, at a later time in the day I took out the black item in the bottom of the bag but what I thought were waterproof trousers turned out to be a jacket!
It was a good walk, we passed some big houses near the golf course. The hugh locks were interesting to walk across. It was a bit muddy in places.
We managed to sit at a bench for lunch - we were lucky to find somewhere to sit. The people we had seen earlier shouting for their dog returned with the dog in tow.
As we walked back towards the car we saw a bird in a tree, we think it was a buzzard.
We had tea and cakes at Blakemere, had a wander about the shops and one of us made a couple of purchases!
Tracey, Hilary, Donna, Jane
There was rain in the air at the start so we weren't sure if we needed to wear weatherproofs or not. We didn't put them on. I thought I had my waterproofs in my bag, at a later time in the day I took out the black item in the bottom of the bag but what I thought were waterproof trousers turned out to be a jacket!
It was a good walk, we passed some big houses near the golf course. The hugh locks were interesting to walk across. It was a bit muddy in places.
We managed to sit at a bench for lunch - we were lucky to find somewhere to sit. The people we had seen earlier shouting for their dog returned with the dog in tow.
As we walked back towards the car we saw a bird in a tree, we think it was a buzzard.
We had tea and cakes at Blakemere, had a wander about the shops and one of us made a couple of purchases!
Walk from Middlewich
Saturday 16 January 7.5 miles
Hilary, Tracey, Jane, DonnaWe met a Boosey's Garden Centre.
Fortunately the snow from earlier in the week had cleared but it was still a bit cold.
We walked to the canal and followed it. We weren't too sure where to come off the canal, We managed to go the wrong way at one point, we crossed the canal at the wrong farm! We went back across the canal walked much further along and crossed at a bridge which took us past the Verdin Arms.
We had lunch by the road side, it was fairly cold so we didn't take too long.
We lost the path at this point, as we were near a farm and the farmer was going out at the time he said we could go up the roman road track and that would lead to the right path. Once we crossed the fields we found the road and then could find our way home.
Get Together
Saturday 19 December
The Kinderton Restaurant - Christmas meal
Good to have a get together - a chance to have a chat.
Hilary kept asking the DJ for older music - he did eventually find some!!
The Kinderton Restaurant - Christmas meal
Good to have a get together - a chance to have a chat.
Hilary kept asking the DJ for older music - he did eventually find some!!
Prestbury
Saturday 7 November 6 miles
Carol, Jane, Hilary
The Gallery in Prestbury - went in as there were some interesting pictures - some flowers in bright colours.
It turned out to be a pleasant day, the forecast was not good. Enjoyed the walk.
We did get a little wet as the rain came at the end of the walk.
Carol, Jane, Hilary
The Gallery in Prestbury - went in as there were some interesting pictures - some flowers in bright colours.
It turned out to be a pleasant day, the forecast was not good. Enjoyed the walk.
We did get a little wet as the rain came at the end of the walk.
Walk along the canal
Saturday 17 October approx. 10 miles
Donna, Hilary, Jane, Tracey
Rode Heath to Middlewich along the canal.
Hilary forgot her boots - she remembered before we got all the way there.
Donna drove to Rode Heath and left her car there.
Followed the canal all the way back to Middlewich.
Stopped at Jane's house for a cup of tea, John had his feet up and was watching tv.
Donna, Hilary, Jane, Tracey
Rode Heath to Middlewich along the canal.
Hilary forgot her boots - she remembered before we got all the way there.
Donna drove to Rode Heath and left her car there.
Followed the canal all the way back to Middlewich.
Stopped at Jane's house for a cup of tea, John had his feet up and was watching tv.
Ellesmere - The Meres Meander
Saturday 19 September 7 miles (11km)
Tracey, Jane, Donna, Carol, Hilary.
Started in Ellesmere, went to the toilet by the mere and had to find our way to the marina, there were some good looking houses.
Sunny in the morning.
Had lunch (if 11.30 can be called lunch time!) sitting on a picnic bench under a tree by the canal.
Cloudy in the afternoon.
Welshampton had a variety of houses. We couldn't find the pathway from the village as it was not signposted.
Cake and tea at the Boathouse Cafe next to the Mere.
Tracey, Jane, Donna, Carol, Hilary.
Started in Ellesmere, went to the toilet by the mere and had to find our way to the marina, there were some good looking houses.
Sunny in the morning.
Had lunch (if 11.30 can be called lunch time!) sitting on a picnic bench under a tree by the canal.
Cloudy in the afternoon.
Welshampton had a variety of houses. We couldn't find the pathway from the village as it was not signposted.
Cake and tea at the Boathouse Cafe next to the Mere.
Ben Nevis Weekend
Saturday 22 - Monday 24 August
Day 1
Travelling - flying from Manchester to Inverness
Car - we picked up the car at the airport, I hadn't thought to take my credit card, fortunately Donna had!
Cawdor Castle - we drove to Cawdor Castle as it was fairly near the airport. We walked in the woods, went into the castle, had tea and soup in the cafe. Walked in the woods again and wandered around the flower garden.
We travelled to Fort Wlliam following the A82 along Loch Ness, it took a couple of hours to get there, the road was busy.
The B&B had a view of Ben Nevis from one of the bedroom windows.
We went into Fort William to get something to eat. We walked down the High Street passing a number of eating places, they were all pretty busy. Haggis and tatties were on the menu at the pub.
Day 2
Walking up the mountain
The decision - to go or not to go?? We looked at the weather forecast when to got to the Glen Nevis visitor centre but it was not helpful. Then we asked the man at the information desk what he thought - he didn't want to put us off having a go!
We were still umming and ahhing when we went back to the car whilst we put on our gear. Eventually Donna said that we had to try since we had come all this way - so with this decision made we started our ascent.
It was trying to rain at the beginning of the walk but it wasn't cold, part way up the first stretch we took off the waterproofs as we were too hot. We stopped at regular intervals on our way up. We even attempted the sandwiches the lady at the B&B had made (she had made them the day before on white bread so we didn't have much hope of enjoying them!)
The views were incredible as we got higher up the mountain. We could see that it was raining on the other mountains across the valley. Eventually the wind started to blow very hard as had been forecast. We turned around and headed down. Looking at the map I think we got as high as 1000m which means we were fairly close to the top!
It took us a while to get back down the mountain, it suddenly rained as we got near the bottom. of course we had taken off our waterproofs so we got wet! Fortunately there was a cafe at the bottom of the hill so we had tea and cider.
We decided to try and book a table at the Glen Nevis Restaurant, they managed to fit us in so it was a good job we had called in on our way back to the B&B.
We enjoyed the meal.
We shared a scottish pudding - Cranachan
Day 3
We packed up our stuff, and made our way back to Inverness.
We made a number of stops on the way.
We decided to visit Culloden as it was not too far from the airport. There is a new visitor centre and we had lunch in the cafe. We went through the exhibition, and out onto the battlefield. I liked the animated Battle table.
Travelling home, flight back to Manchester.
Day 1
Travelling - flying from Manchester to Inverness
Car - we picked up the car at the airport, I hadn't thought to take my credit card, fortunately Donna had!
Cawdor Castle - we drove to Cawdor Castle as it was fairly near the airport. We walked in the woods, went into the castle, had tea and soup in the cafe. Walked in the woods again and wandered around the flower garden.
We travelled to Fort Wlliam following the A82 along Loch Ness, it took a couple of hours to get there, the road was busy.
The B&B had a view of Ben Nevis from one of the bedroom windows.
We went into Fort William to get something to eat. We walked down the High Street passing a number of eating places, they were all pretty busy. Haggis and tatties were on the menu at the pub.
Day 2
Walking up the mountain
The decision - to go or not to go?? We looked at the weather forecast when to got to the Glen Nevis visitor centre but it was not helpful. Then we asked the man at the information desk what he thought - he didn't want to put us off having a go!
We were still umming and ahhing when we went back to the car whilst we put on our gear. Eventually Donna said that we had to try since we had come all this way - so with this decision made we started our ascent.
It was trying to rain at the beginning of the walk but it wasn't cold, part way up the first stretch we took off the waterproofs as we were too hot. We stopped at regular intervals on our way up. We even attempted the sandwiches the lady at the B&B had made (she had made them the day before on white bread so we didn't have much hope of enjoying them!)
The views were incredible as we got higher up the mountain. We could see that it was raining on the other mountains across the valley. Eventually the wind started to blow very hard as had been forecast. We turned around and headed down. Looking at the map I think we got as high as 1000m which means we were fairly close to the top!
It took us a while to get back down the mountain, it suddenly rained as we got near the bottom. of course we had taken off our waterproofs so we got wet! Fortunately there was a cafe at the bottom of the hill so we had tea and cider.
We decided to try and book a table at the Glen Nevis Restaurant, they managed to fit us in so it was a good job we had called in on our way back to the B&B.
We enjoyed the meal.
We shared a scottish pudding - Cranachan
Day 3
We packed up our stuff, and made our way back to Inverness.
We made a number of stops on the way.
We decided to visit Culloden as it was not too far from the airport. There is a new visitor centre and we had lunch in the cafe. We went through the exhibition, and out onto the battlefield. I liked the animated Battle table.
Travelling home, flight back to Manchester.
Goyt Valley
Friday 7 August
Tracey, Hilary and Jane
It took a while to find the starting point along a winding road but it turned out to be a really excellent walk in the hills.
We explored the ruins of a house. Went into the shrine, people had left cards and candles.
Good views across Cheshire and Derbyshire.
Tracey, Hilary and Jane
It took a while to find the starting point along a winding road but it turned out to be a really excellent walk in the hills.
We explored the ruins of a house. Went into the shrine, people had left cards and candles.
Good views across Cheshire and Derbyshire.
Along the Canal
Saturday 25 July 6.5 and 9.5 miles
Donna, Hilary and Jane
We set out from Hilary's house, it was really sunny day and very pleasant to walk along the canal.
As we came into Rudheath under the A556 there are houses on the opposite side of the canal, one of which was being extended and they had built a small deck on the canal's edge.
We thought we had better have our lunch so we sat on the grass beside the canal looking at the houses opposite deciding which we liked best!
A flying model helicopter came over the hedge, a kid was flying it from one of the gardens. Hilary thought he was flying it very well.
The canal shop at the Old Smithy was open so we had a look. Donna really liked the canal hats that the women used to wear!
We sat and had a coffee in the sunshine at the Italian restaurant on the canal side. Martin joined us. Donna went home.
Hilary and I decided to continue walking around to the Anderton Boat Lift. We spent some time watching the tourist boat as it was just coming up the lift when we arrived. It turned around and picked up more passengers and then we watched it going down. It seemed to take ages and from the cafe area we couldn't see a lot. But we did manage to see it reach the bottom when John came to pick us up!
Donna, Hilary and Jane
We set out from Hilary's house, it was really sunny day and very pleasant to walk along the canal.
As we came into Rudheath under the A556 there are houses on the opposite side of the canal, one of which was being extended and they had built a small deck on the canal's edge.
We thought we had better have our lunch so we sat on the grass beside the canal looking at the houses opposite deciding which we liked best!
A flying model helicopter came over the hedge, a kid was flying it from one of the gardens. Hilary thought he was flying it very well.
The canal shop at the Old Smithy was open so we had a look. Donna really liked the canal hats that the women used to wear!
We sat and had a coffee in the sunshine at the Italian restaurant on the canal side. Martin joined us. Donna went home.
Hilary and I decided to continue walking around to the Anderton Boat Lift. We spent some time watching the tourist boat as it was just coming up the lift when we arrived. It turned around and picked up more passengers and then we watched it going down. It seemed to take ages and from the cafe area we couldn't see a lot. But we did manage to see it reach the bottom when John came to pick us up!
Midnight Walk
Saturday 20 June 13.1 miles
Hilary + Jane
Ian gave us a lift. We arrived in plenty of time so we didn't have to queue very long. We handed in our sponsor forms so they could see how the total was going. We were given a few things - an elastic band to hand in half way round (so that they could keep track of us!), a bangle and a plastic poncho in case it rained. We had time for a wander, a cup of tea and a bit of standing about - it was a bit cool.
As we were standing in a sea of orange t-shirts when we went to the loo it was really hard to find each other!
We did a few exercises before we started - lead by an army guy.
We set off (or shuffled off) in the crowd at 12 midnight, it was a bit of a squeeze down to the Reaseheath gate and then once we were on the road we could spread out as the police had stopped the traffic down to Nantwich town centre. Once we got out onto the Crewe road we had to try and fit back onto the pavement which a bit of a problem. Eventually we managed to spread out a bit.
The pace was quite quick considering we were in the crowds of people streaming along the pavement. Hilary soon started stripping off as she got too hot.
Arrived at Bannatyne's at 2.10am. Managed to drop off our bands, had a toilet break, collected a bottle of water, a chocolate bar and a banana and set off again about 2.25am.
We saw Sue Stubbs on our way back, she was wearing a pink t-shirt as she has taken part in each of the five sponsored walks.
9 mile sign at 3am.
As we thought once we reached the 10 miles we began to feel tired and became aware of our feet.
Finished at 4.10am - pretty good. I had thought it might take up to 5 hours to complete, so I was pleased that we were so far under the 5 hours.
Queued for our bacon butties an a cup of tea(in fact Hilary had a second butty - well they were nice!)
John came and picked us up, so home again and into bed for about 5.30am
Hilary + Jane
Ian gave us a lift. We arrived in plenty of time so we didn't have to queue very long. We handed in our sponsor forms so they could see how the total was going. We were given a few things - an elastic band to hand in half way round (so that they could keep track of us!), a bangle and a plastic poncho in case it rained. We had time for a wander, a cup of tea and a bit of standing about - it was a bit cool.
As we were standing in a sea of orange t-shirts when we went to the loo it was really hard to find each other!
We did a few exercises before we started - lead by an army guy.
We set off (or shuffled off) in the crowd at 12 midnight, it was a bit of a squeeze down to the Reaseheath gate and then once we were on the road we could spread out as the police had stopped the traffic down to Nantwich town centre. Once we got out onto the Crewe road we had to try and fit back onto the pavement which a bit of a problem. Eventually we managed to spread out a bit.
The pace was quite quick considering we were in the crowds of people streaming along the pavement. Hilary soon started stripping off as she got too hot.
Arrived at Bannatyne's at 2.10am. Managed to drop off our bands, had a toilet break, collected a bottle of water, a chocolate bar and a banana and set off again about 2.25am.
We saw Sue Stubbs on our way back, she was wearing a pink t-shirt as she has taken part in each of the five sponsored walks.
9 mile sign at 3am.
As we thought once we reached the 10 miles we began to feel tired and became aware of our feet.
Finished at 4.10am - pretty good. I had thought it might take up to 5 hours to complete, so I was pleased that we were so far under the 5 hours.
Queued for our bacon butties an a cup of tea(in fact Hilary had a second butty - well they were nice!)
John came and picked us up, so home again and into bed for about 5.30am
Foel Fenlli and Moel Famau from Loggerheads
Saturday 13 June 9.5 miles
Jane, Tracey, Donna, Carol + Hilary
Moel Famau 554m (1818ft)
VIEWS, VIEWS, VIEWS + MORE VIEWS.
We travelled to Wales and parked in the Loggerheads Country Park.
It was a lovely day to be out walking. The light made everywhere look really green. We could see across to Beeston Castle and the Peckforton Hills. In the other direction we could see across to the Snowdonian range.
This walk made me feel really unfit as it seemed to be hard work to get up the hills.
We sat at the top of Moel Famau and had a sandwich. Tracey and Carol played with a dog that kept bringing its toy to be thrown.
The cafe at the Loggerheads Country Park was excellent, we were able to sit outside with our cake and tea.
Jane, Tracey, Donna, Carol + Hilary
Moel Famau 554m (1818ft)
VIEWS, VIEWS, VIEWS + MORE VIEWS.
We travelled to Wales and parked in the Loggerheads Country Park.
It was a lovely day to be out walking. The light made everywhere look really green. We could see across to Beeston Castle and the Peckforton Hills. In the other direction we could see across to the Snowdonian range.
This walk made me feel really unfit as it seemed to be hard work to get up the hills.
We sat at the top of Moel Famau and had a sandwich. Tracey and Carol played with a dog that kept bringing its toy to be thrown.
The cafe at the Loggerheads Country Park was excellent, we were able to sit outside with our cake and tea.
Middlewich along the Shropshire Union
Saturday 9 May approx 10 miles
Donna, Tracey, Carol, Hilary
A walk from Middlewich along the Shropshire Union canal as far as the Barbridge Pub.
Donna, Tracey, Carol, Hilary
A walk from Middlewich along the Shropshire Union canal as far as the Barbridge Pub.
Get Together
Saturday April 25
At Carol and Phil's house - Wedding Anniversary Meal for Tracey + Chris and Jane + John
It was a good idea to have this as a 'dressing up' occasion. It did make it special - after all 25 years of marriage is quite something!!
As ever there was excellent food and plenty of wine. A really good night.
Dovedale and the Manifold Valley from Ilam
Saturday 14 March 7.5 miles
Jane, Tracey, Hilary + Carol
The weather was very wet on Friday so I was a bit worried about getting wet on this walk but we woke to a sunny morning! We were very lucky that the sun lasted for the whole walk and only clouded over on our way home.
It was a bit cold as we got out of the car as the wind was blowing so it was a good job we had gloves and hats with us. We did get a bit warm as we set out up the first hill so the hats and gloves came off and Hilary's coat as well.
It was windy again as we got to the ridge so the extra layers were needed again. We started to walk through the woods the path down to the Dove was steep and we had to watch our footing through the tree roots.
As we all decided we were hungry we had lunch sitting on a log by the Dove. It was good to be sitting by moving water. I had thought it would be sheltered in the valley but it wasn't we had to put all our layers on again! Of course we found a more sheltered area further along the river!!
As we walked up Hall Dale we were walking into the wind again, it was quite hard work in places. We starting talking about why we go walking and the conclusion was that we can eat cake!
A dry stone waller was repairing a farmer's wall the new wall looked excellent, he repairs about 4m a day!
I think we all enjoyed walking through this beautiful Staffordshire countryside.
Ilam Hall is a National Trust property so were were guaranteed good cake!
Ilam Hall is also a YHA building which is being refurbished - it looks like a good place to stay once it is finished.
Jane, Tracey, Hilary + Carol
The weather was very wet on Friday so I was a bit worried about getting wet on this walk but we woke to a sunny morning! We were very lucky that the sun lasted for the whole walk and only clouded over on our way home.
It was a bit cold as we got out of the car as the wind was blowing so it was a good job we had gloves and hats with us. We did get a bit warm as we set out up the first hill so the hats and gloves came off and Hilary's coat as well.
It was windy again as we got to the ridge so the extra layers were needed again. We started to walk through the woods the path down to the Dove was steep and we had to watch our footing through the tree roots.
As we all decided we were hungry we had lunch sitting on a log by the Dove. It was good to be sitting by moving water. I had thought it would be sheltered in the valley but it wasn't we had to put all our layers on again! Of course we found a more sheltered area further along the river!!
As we walked up Hall Dale we were walking into the wind again, it was quite hard work in places. We starting talking about why we go walking and the conclusion was that we can eat cake!
A dry stone waller was repairing a farmer's wall the new wall looked excellent, he repairs about 4m a day!
I think we all enjoyed walking through this beautiful Staffordshire countryside.
Ilam Hall is a National Trust property so were were guaranteed good cake!
Ilam Hall is also a YHA building which is being refurbished - it looks like a good place to stay once it is finished.
Haslington
Saturday 28 February 7 miles + detour
Tracey, Donna, Hilary and Jane
We woke to a grey sky and there was drizzle as we set out in the car - but we didn't get wet! It was great to be out in the fresh air.
It was a fairly flat path with quite a few stiles and some metal kissing gates.
We saw some beautiful snowdrops in a very attractive garden at the beginning of the walk.
The walk was cold in places when the landscape was more open and we needed hats and scarves but we also got warm in the more sheltered parts.
As ever some parts of the path were very easy to follow but other bits were not so obvious!!
We eventually realised that we had made a detour so we had to walk back a little bit but managed to take a different route to return to the original path. This is where we saw the cows - not so pretty when you are in the same field but amazing once you have climbed the stile and are in a different field, then they look beautiful!! There were the five cows in a row in another field, they were long haired and could have been highland cows. The babies looked cute.
There was a small tea shop in Haslington so we managed tea/coffee and cake. We found a leaflet of the walk we had just done in the shop. It said to 'be careful' as it was a bit confusing just in the place where we went wrong!
Tracey, Donna, Hilary and Jane
We woke to a grey sky and there was drizzle as we set out in the car - but we didn't get wet! It was great to be out in the fresh air.
It was a fairly flat path with quite a few stiles and some metal kissing gates.
We saw some beautiful snowdrops in a very attractive garden at the beginning of the walk.
The walk was cold in places when the landscape was more open and we needed hats and scarves but we also got warm in the more sheltered parts.
As ever some parts of the path were very easy to follow but other bits were not so obvious!!
We eventually realised that we had made a detour so we had to walk back a little bit but managed to take a different route to return to the original path. This is where we saw the cows - not so pretty when you are in the same field but amazing once you have climbed the stile and are in a different field, then they look beautiful!! There were the five cows in a row in another field, they were long haired and could have been highland cows. The babies looked cute.
There was a small tea shop in Haslington so we managed tea/coffee and cake. We found a leaflet of the walk we had just done in the shop. It said to 'be careful' as it was a bit confusing just in the place where we went wrong!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)