Get Together

Saturday 10 December

Christmas Meal

We wanted somewhere close to home so the Sandhurst Hotel provides a reasonable meal - still one gravy boat though!

We did get coffee/tea this time.

The entertainment was a singer, Rowena sang later - she was better than the man!!!

Rawhead to Larkton Hill

Saturday 3 December 5.25 miles
Jane, John

I chose a shorter walk as the forecast was for blustery and wet weather, but it turned out to be sunshine, blue sky and some cloud. There was a cold wind blowing, but once on the move we soon warmed up.

Even though this was a short walk there were quite a few hills to climb. It was lovely with the winter sun shining through the trees.

I had forgotten about the great views from Rawhead, right across to Chester, Liverpool and the Hills of Wales. We could see that rain was passing over the Queensferry Bridge as it disappeared from sight. Liverpool was harder to see due to the rain showers as well. Walking along this section of the Sandstone trail gives good views to the south. It is interesting trying to work out what you can actually see, as we had the Crewe and Nantwich map we had no map to find out, plus it was too windy to be getting a map out! We could pick some land marks towards Chester.

The winter light as we got nearer to the car was beautiful, making the landscape really green, and shone on the golden leaves that remained on the trees

Appleton Reservoir and Grappenhall

Saturday 5 November 8.5 miles

Tracey, Jane, Donna, Hilary and Carol (all 5 of us!)

We had good weather, and the sun even came out, the rain of the previous days meant it was a bit muddy underfoot.

We started at the reservoir walking around it, we followed the path, there was a field with some donkeys in it, the looked well looked after. Then we walked passed the cemetery and some large, expensive houses.

We walked through woods even though we were in the town. The autumn colours were beautiful and the sun came out at times showing off the colours. We meandered through The Lumb Brook Valley, the Woodland Trust owns this woodland.

We joined the Bridgewater Canal and there were two benches so we sat and had some lunch. The ducks came by very quickly to see if there were any scraps to eat but they soon lost interest and went away. There was a man fishing and he managed to catch fish!

We passed under the London Road Bridge and just along the path there are some Victorian Houses across the road and they looked very well kept with some nice window details.

There were horses in the fields along from Red Lane.

The Hollies Concept Cafe in Lower Stretton was very busy but we did manage to find a table, and drink cups of tea and share some cake - Victoria sponge, carrot cake and Bakewell tart. We could not decide why it was called the 'Concept Cafe'?
Hi Ian I am glad to hear that someone is reading this blog!

Get Together

Friday 29 October 

Wedding Anniversary Meal

Donna and Martin's house. 20 years of marriage! Lots of lovely food as usual.  

Lots of chatting, e.g. the hen on the road to work.

Farndon and Churton

Saturday 1 October 6.5 miles
Jane, Hilary

Parked in Farndon at the picnic area by the River Dee.(Still in England). The weather was fine and bright, and I chose the walk as it hadn't been raining so I thought it would be fairly dry.

We passed a row of houses that had been burnt - waiting to be sorted - the fire had obviously spread from one cottage.

We walked down a track, a car passed us, and then we passed them again when the track got really muddy. Once we got further down the track there was no way through.

A walk along the River Dee - lots of little buildings, one couple were sitting on their deck, they had Liverpudlian accents, how great to leave the city and come to a shack by the river with views over the countryside.

We came to a large bend in the river it showed the path going across the field but as there were a lot of cows and a bull we decided to follow the edge of the river!


Cheshire Open Studios - we called in on a few artists, Anne-Marie Rickus, Jo Jenkins (in Chester) and Caroline Gregson (in Tarvin). Had a drink of elderflower juice at Jo Jenkins.

The Trent & Mersey Canal and the River Weaver

Saturday 3 September 2011 8 miles 
Donna, Jane, Tracey, Hilary

The forecast was for rain so we were expecting to get wet, we had our waterproofs with us. It was a bit cloudy but there was no rain until later.

We started at the Anderton Boat Lift on the Trent and Mersey Canal, A couple of boats had just come up the lift and were coming out onto the canal. 

We walked along the canal, as there are a couple of tunnels along this stretch that do not have a foot path we walked along the path above. We stopped when we came to a bench and had a snack (too early for lunch!)

We left the canal where there was a footpath across a field and joined the River Weaver at Acton Bridge. The rowing club was at the river side.

We had lunch sitting by the river.

There was lots of fruit growing alongside the river. We picked and ate some!

Had tea and cake in the cafe at the Anderton Boat Lift Centre at a window table.

Spike Island to Wigg island

Saturday 30 July 2011 7.5 miles
Hilary, Carol, Tracey and Jane.

This is an Industrial Walk.

We had lovely weather, there was a little breeze when we arrived but by the afternoon it was quite hot.

Started the walk at Spike Island and the Sankey Canal.

Crossed the Runcorn Bridge.

Walked along the Bridgewater Canal, and crossed the Manchester Ship Canal to Wigg Island.

Returned over the Runcorn Bridge, we saw the same guy on a bike as we had seen when we crossed the first time.

Had tea and cakes at Davenports Cafe at Acton Bridge.

Alderley Edge

Saturday 2 July 8.5 miles (+detour)

Tracey, Hilary Jane

Sunny day, blue sky, fluffy clouds, I thought it might be too warm.

Cute animals, foals, calves, butterflies, etc

We did a lot of the walk before lunch, we got to Hare Hill there was a sign saying 'picnic area' so we were hoping for benches, but there were none. Just bird poo! So we sat on the grass further away from the pool.

As we left the Edge went wrong somewhere, we only realised this as we came to a road, as we walked along it we came to Swiss Hill and as we should have been at the top of it we went up it to see where we had gone wrong! But it was not obvious when got there so we went a little further up.

There are some big houses along this route.

Tea and cake at a cafe in Alderley Edge high street.

Hilary's walk

Saturday 4 June
Walk didn't take place

Jane's walk

Saturday 7 May
Walk didn't take place

Near Arley Hall Walk

Saturday 9 April 5.5 miles
Donna, Hilary, Tracey, Carol.

Get Together

Saturday 19 March 

For Tracey's Birthday Meal we went to Primavera , an Italian restaurant in Knutsford. 

There was live music.

Dane Valley

Saturday 5 March 7.5 miles

Tracey, Donna, Hilary, Jane

A dull morning, it did not clear all day, infact it rained later and we got a bit wet.

There were some places that were a bit muddy, but being by a river you have to expect that.

It is interesting to see how the Dane meanders between Holmes Chapel and Swettenham. There were the beginnings of the blue bells growing in the woodland areas, it would be worth coming back a little later in the year.

We popped into the Swetty Arms to look at the menu, with the idea of going there for Tracey's birthday. We decided the menu was too ordinary.

We walked passed the lavender field, it looks a bit bedraggled at this time of year, we dropped down into the valley and crossed the river, climbed up the other side. We had to walk through a field with animals in it, none of us were too keen, plus there was a lots of mud and deep ruts.

We sat by the path to have our lunch, the drizzle was trying to start!

We crossed the A50 then walked back along the river, there were trees and branches on the path, the river was very high a few weeks ago so I wondered if the river had flooded and the fence had stopped the trees, branches and twigs from going any further.

Found a cafe in Holmes Chapel, had tea and cake, carrot cake and lemon drizzle.

Year Five Summary

Walk 1: March 20 2010 Wybunbury 7.5 miles Carol, Hilary and Tracey
Walk 2: April 17 2010 Ridgegate to Croker Hill 7 miles Jane, Donna, Tracey and Hilary
Walk 3: May 22 2010 Hilary's walk Hilary, Donna and Tracey
Walk 4: June 26 2010 A walk from Acton Bridge Donna, Hilary, Jane and Tracey
Walk 5: July 24 2010 Withnell Fold 7.25 miles Tracey, Hilary and Jane
Walk 6: August 28 2010 Bollington to Adlington 7 miles Jane, Hilary and Tracey
Walk 7: October 2 2010 Wansfell Pike 6 miles Donna, Tracey, Hilary and Jane
Walk 8: December 4 2010 Brereton Heath 5 miles Hilary, Tracey and Jane
Walk 9: January 22 2010 Knutsford 6 miles Hilary, Donna and Tracey

Get Together

Saturday 12 February 

Valentine's Quiz Evening

A get together with a chance to dress up! A contribution supper with more than enough food, heart shaped starters, heart shaped candle for the table, lots of meat and fabulous pork crackling, black forest trifle (umm, umm, umm), lovely fruit to finish and heart shaped chocolates on a heart shaped dish. 

Excellent food. 

Quiz, lots of questions, pictures and music - Tracey won!

Knutsford

Saturday 22 January 6 miles
Hilary, Donna, Tracey

Cake and tea at Jane's.

Murder Mystery Christmas Meal

Saturday 18 December

We wanted to do something near home so we could walk to and from the venue.

We decided to try The Sandhurst Hotel, and as they were offering a Murder Mystery Evening we decided to give it a go!

It was a really cold evening, the weather had been cold and snowy so it was just as well we chose somewhere close to home. We all wore our outdoor shoes or wellies, so we wouldn't be slipping and sliding . We went to Donna and Martin's first and started the drinking.

I wasn't sure what to expect but I enjoyed the meal. Rowena only seemed to have one gravy boat! She pour out the gravy and rush back to the kitchen for more gravy.

A memorable occasion

There was plenty of talk and acting, lots of questions to ask of the actors. We didn't score brilliantly in the first two rounds, but we scored nothing in the last round when there were hundreds of points to be gained, in fact managed to get the worst marks!!! John's answer, 'He was bludgeoned to death by the guitar because of his poor fingering techniques' was so totally wrong that it gave every one a laugh.

No coffee! Surely there should be coffee to end the meal. In fact Rowena 'Doesn't do coffee' - so we went to Hilary's and Ian's.

Brereton Green and Brereton Heath

Saturday 4 December 5 miles
Hilary, Tracey and Jane

The weather had been pretty bad so we weren't sure if we would manage a walk. We parked by the Bear's Head in Brereton.

Some snow on the ground, there was a little girl on a sledge being pulled along by her parents.

We looked around the outside of the church, St. Oswald's, it wasn't open. There were some big trees in the grounds. At the churchyard gate is an 18th century mounting block.

There were not many places to to sit and have lunch. We found a dip in the landscape with a little shelter from the breeze. We could feel the rain a little in the air.

Went to Tracey's for tea and cake.

Ambleside

Saturday 2 
Donna, Tracey, Hilary and Jane

We got up early and travelled up to the Lake District.  We found the hostel and managed to park the car around the corner. 

We put on our boots and started the walk.

We walked to the top of Wansfell Pike (486.1 m 1595 ft), there were fantastic views but was a bit windy

We had lunch sitting in the lee of a wall on our way down.

Continued all the way down the hill, started walking along the road, and then I decided to take a picture of the pretty countryside but then realised that I had left the phone back near the top of the hill. So we started to walk back up the hill. We all walked part way up the hill and sat at a corner in the path on some grass. Hilary started to run up the hill, I followed. fortunately the phone was still there just where I left it!

We managed to book a table at a local restaurant on our way home to the hostel. We went and got changed and we all had the special - lamb
Hilary couldn't bear to see any meat left so ate any meat off everyone's lamb bones.

Back at the hostel looked at the games - Connect 4 was what we chose - had fun.

Sunday 3
It was raining on Sunday, so had a wander around Ambleside looking in the shops, we all bought a pair of waterproof gloves.

Bollington to Adlington

Saturday 28 August 7miles
Jane, Hilary, Tracey

We woke to sunshine, so I hoped that we would have a clear day, it didn't last. As soon as we got in the car the cloud covered the sky and as we travelled towards Macclesfield it was obvious that we were going towards the cloud and rain. I also managed to forget the map!!! We got to Holmes Chapel when I remembered. So we had to turn around. Not an auspicious start.

The instructions for this walk were from the internet and I would definitely say that they were not very good.

We lost our way a number of times the worst section was on the moor - we went too far!!
It then rained really hard - of course we were not wearing our waterproofs. Tracey noticed some shrubs so we sheltered a little.

Walking along the canal at the end we lost confidence as we were going into what looked like countryside. We turned around and came down some very steep steps to the main road. We walked along the road until we found the Middlewood Way, then we walked along it back to the car - we realised that the walk on the canal ran alongside the Middlewood Way and there are a lot of trees.

It took us all day to do this walk.

Tea and cake at Donna's house - lovely

Withnell Fold, nr Chorley, Lancs

Saturday 24 July 7.25 miles
Tracey, Hilary, Jane

The weather hadn't been up to much during the week so we weren't sure what would greet us. But we were ok - it was quite bright in the morning.

Cobbles, countryside and canal, motorway, railway and river.

An excellent and varied walk!

Withnell - cobbles
Views over the countryside, plus through a wood and over a brook.
M65 - bridge over, canal under
River Darwen - ducks ducks and more ducks!
Railway line - viaduct with huge piers.
Leeds and Liverpool Canal - lots of bicycles.

We went wrong a few times - the directions were not brilliantly clear, so we must have done bit more than the 7.25 miles of the walk.

The cloud came in as we got back to the car - in fact the drizzle started. As we drove away there was no view over the fields.

Went to the Pub, The Boat Yard, which we had passed on the walk and had a drink and cake/tart

A walk from Acton Bridge

Saturday June 26

Donna, Hilary, Jane, Tracey

We parked the car at the Maypole in Acton Bridge, then walked to the the swing bridge and joined the river, there were people rowing on the river (possibly from the Grange).

River Weaver - There were quite a few boats on the river.
The river was covered in algae especially near the locks.

The Dutton locks are huge - there was a boat coming through, the lock keeper waited for us to cross over before opening the gates.

The Dutton viaduct over the Weaver is a long row of arches.

Sat on the verge under some trees for lunch - it was quite a warm day.

Tracey bitten by flies, not good as she had put repellent on!

We were ready for a drink when we got back to the pub. We had a drink, tart and icecream.

Get Together

Saturday 12 June 

BBQ at Donna and Martin's House We managed to sit outside all evening! It was a bit chilly, but Donna and Martin kept feeding the chimenea to add some warmth, we also had blankets. The television was on in the conservatory so that we could keep up with the England v. USA match.

Hilary's Walk

Saturday 22 May
Hilary, Donna and Tracey

A very HOT day!! Needed sunblock today.

Met at Carol's for a cup of tea. Hilary managed to embarrass Tracey by saying she was snoring in the car! Jane joined them as well.

Ridgegate to Croker Hill

Saturday April 17
7 miles (11 km) OS Explorer Map 268
Ridgegate to Croker Hill, near Shutlingsloe. 7 miles

There a bit of a cold wind across the ridge but managed to find a sheltered place behind a wall near the transmission tower to have our lunch. We got a bit too comfortable as the sun was very pleasant. The view over the hills of the Peak District were good. There were lambs in the fields, we even saw black lambs, some of them were very small.

We saw a foal with its mother.

Stopped again, we lay in a field and soaked up the rays. It turned out that we caught too much sun, the first really sunny day and we weren't properly prepared!

We had a drink at the Leather’s Smithy pub. We scraped lichen off the table!

Called in at Carol's and sat outside and had a chat.

Wybunbury

Saturday 20 March 7.5 miles (12km)
Explorer 257 Crewe and Nantwich
Carol, Tracey, Hilary

The day didn't start well - very grey and rainy!

Dagfields Craft Centre for a drink.