Saturday 13 April 6 miles
Tracey, Jane and Carol
What do you wear on a day in April that has been cold overnight and yet the sun is shining? It is difficult to decide. You don't want to have too many layers, but you certainly don't want to be cold. We decided on layers so that we could take a layer off if necessary. We didn't take a layer off, the sun did shine but the wind was cold.
The B5392 at Lower Withington is a busy road so we parked in a lay-by on the main after having a look to see if we could park anywhere around the triangle to park off the road, but there was nowhere obvious to park. We walked along the road a little, crossed the road when we saw the footpath sign. The path led us behind the houses, then opened out to fields that had been split up into smaller areas which fenced off the horses. We had to walk across one field with horses in it but they didn't pay us too much attention. We crossed another field and joined a lane. A couple of cyclists passed us, we continued along the lane which became a track going passed a farm and onto Catchpenny Lane.
It was such a pretty day, some of the trees were beginning to bud, whist some were still bare so they looked amazing against the bright blue sky. There were plenty more cyclists out and about. Tracey had told us to look out for a stile in the hedge but we were too busy talking so it wasn't until the road we were on was passing a lake that Tracey realised we had gone too far. We returned along the road and found the stile in the hedge, and followed the path alongside a wood. A stream was flowing beside the path and when we got to the bottom it was flowing over the footpath, we looked at the possibility of walking around into the field but it all looked too wet, plus there was barbed wire fencing. We managed to cross the stream of water by standing on the clumps of grass and jumping across as fast as possible.
Our boots were a bit wet, we continued on up the path and onto the track around the field, then joining the road and looking out for a stile - much more closely this time, but this stile was quite obvious. The footpath followed a couple of field edges and we came to a wooden bridge which crossed the sand quarry conveyor, it was all very quiet as it was the weekend. The walk continued around a wood, across an open area where we met a women with a couple of large dogs, she kept tight hold of them whilst we passed by, and then we went around another wood. There was an open track that we followed along the edge of the quarry, then we kept on the track which went beside a hedge towards the houses. The path led past the house with a very nice garden.
As we continued we became aware of a buzzard being chased by some birds, possibly crows. We watched the buzzard flying over the woods and our heads, then it came back to hover over the sand quarry. We continued on our way, it was very pretty along this path as the white blossom was out on the trees and the white stems of the birch trees shone in the sunlight.
We realised we had somehow gone the wrong way when the path followed a busy road. Carol checked on her phone to see where we were, and we were no where near the footpath we should have been on. We decided it was best to stop for lunch as it was about 12 o'clock. We were sheltered on one side by the trees and on the other side by a bank on the edge of the quarry. We could have retraced our steps but decided that was better to join the nearby road and find a different route back to the car. There were a couple of locked five bar gates that we negotiated and then we were able to walk along a wide grass verge of the A535 Holmes Chapel Road. We continued past the gate to Withington Hall and its sweeping drive to another gate with a track to a house, it was a public footpath that lead around the house, then went beside the wood and led to the end of Withington pool where we got a good view of the Hall in its picturesque setting. Having said that we were soon back to the quarry again, it made wonder how noisy the conveyor is when it is moving?
From the end of the lake we passed through a short field where there was new fencing and a new bridge that had been built over the conveyor, fortunately for us as this was our cut through from the main road. From here we could see the big machines that dig the sand out of the quarry all parked up. We continued past Dairy House Farm and then back to familiar territory. As we came down the hill we met the water coming over the path again. It was not as easy to cross the water this time, perhaps more people had walked that way and squashed the grass we had balanced on previously. We ended up having to go through the water, Tracey managed to slip and ended up with her boots in the water but the water didn't go over the top of her boots.
From here we were not too far from the car, we followed the track and then the fields behind the houses where there was now a horse that was much more lively and interested in us. There was a fence between us fortunately as it was a bit too lively, and some of the other horses were paying us more attention. We walked quickly through this field and back to the car.
We visited Goostrey Home and Leisure where we had tea and cake, with each of us choosing a different cake - lemon and coconut, raspberry and coconut and Victoria Sponge. We then had a wander about.
Saturday, 13 April 2019
Sunday, 17 March 2019
Nantwich - Going off-piste
Saturday 16 March
Donna, Tracey, Jane, Hilary
Nantwich was Donna's choice for brunch.
Donna parked the car at the car park off Middlewich Road at Barony Park. So we had a little walk into the town. It was trying to rain so we needed our hoods. We went to the Nantwich Traditional Market, had a browse of the stalls. Baked cakes, busy cafe, jewellery, and lovely plants outside.
Then we went to the Residence Restaurant for brunch.
Donna, Tracey, Jane, Hilary
Nantwich was Donna's choice for brunch.
Donna parked the car at the car park off Middlewich Road at Barony Park. So we had a little walk into the town. It was trying to rain so we needed our hoods. We went to the Nantwich Traditional Market, had a browse of the stalls. Baked cakes, busy cafe, jewellery, and lovely plants outside.
Then we went to the Residence Restaurant for brunch.
Saturday, 16 February 2019
Year Thirteen Summary
Walk 1: March 24 2018 Goostrey 6.5 miles Hilary, Jane and Donna
Walk 2: April 21 2018 Audlem 6 miles Donna, Jane and Hilary
Walk 3: May 19 2018 Little Paxton Weekend Tracey, Hilary and Donna
Walk 4: June 9 2018 Timbersbrook and the Cloud 6.25
miles Carol,
Hilary, Tracey
and Jane
Walk 5: July 14 2018 Prestbury Tracey, Hilary and Carol
Walk 6: Sept 15 2018 Plumley Station Walk 7.5
miles Donna, Tracey, Jane and Hilary
Walk 7: Oct 13 2018 From Carol’s House 4.5 miles Carol, Hilary and Jane
Walk 8: Nov 10 2018 Wildflowers and Rode Hall 5
miles Hilary,
Carol, Tracey and Jane
Walk 9: Jan 16 2019: Planning meeting only - The Big Lock
Walk 10: Feb 16 2019
Poynton 6 miles Jane, Tracey, Donna and Hilary
Poynton
Saturday 16 February 2019 6 miles
Jane, Tracey, Donna + Hilary
The walk had a bit of history, woodland, open views, canal, horses, deer and a single sheep in a field.
We were lucky with the weather, and it wasn't too muddy under foot.
We parked in South Park Drive. As we walked up the road we passed a plot of land where there is to be an estate of expensive lake houses being built starting at £1.25 m - and those would be the ones by the road and the gate! Two women with bikes were looking through the holes by the gate, we asked if there was anything to see, they said there wasn't. In having a look for ourselves all we could see was bare earth, the site had been cleared and the earth was being moves presumably to make the lake.
Once we got to the end of the road we were out into countryside. Walking through the woods with the sun shining through the bare trees was very pleasant. The woods were dog walking territory, a black dog, Brutus, adopted us so that we could throw his stick. until Donna threw his stick over the fence. Hilary found a bigger stick, the dog then bounded off to show it's person.
As usual Hilary hadn't had enough breakfast so she wanted her lunch from about 10.45! We crossed the Middlewood Way, continued towards the Macclesfield Canal and followed the towpath for a short distance, crossed Bridge number 14. The path then went towards a farm. At this point we could see The Cage on the hill so were close to Lyme Park. With the warmth of the sun in the sheltered pathways we all decided to take off a layer. We were now at the turning point of the walk, so we came back towards the canal, crossed it, followed the marked path towards a farm.
As we arrived at some woods with fallen logs we thought that was a good opportunity to stop for lunch and it was twelve o'clock by then, so a good time to stop. We sat on a log under the trees with a woodpecker calling. The sun was shining and it was very pleasant.
There was mud on the steps down to the road, so we ended up with mud on our boots.
Poynton Tea Room provided us with tea and cake, we had banana cake, fruit cake, a cup cake and a toasted tea cake as well as our cups of tea, 2 very weak earl grey teas and 2 ordinary teas.
Jane, Tracey, Donna + Hilary
The walk had a bit of history, woodland, open views, canal, horses, deer and a single sheep in a field.
We were lucky with the weather, and it wasn't too muddy under foot.
We parked in South Park Drive. As we walked up the road we passed a plot of land where there is to be an estate of expensive lake houses being built starting at £1.25 m - and those would be the ones by the road and the gate! Two women with bikes were looking through the holes by the gate, we asked if there was anything to see, they said there wasn't. In having a look for ourselves all we could see was bare earth, the site had been cleared and the earth was being moves presumably to make the lake.
Once we got to the end of the road we were out into countryside. Walking through the woods with the sun shining through the bare trees was very pleasant. The woods were dog walking territory, a black dog, Brutus, adopted us so that we could throw his stick. until Donna threw his stick over the fence. Hilary found a bigger stick, the dog then bounded off to show it's person.
As usual Hilary hadn't had enough breakfast so she wanted her lunch from about 10.45! We crossed the Middlewood Way, continued towards the Macclesfield Canal and followed the towpath for a short distance, crossed Bridge number 14. The path then went towards a farm. At this point we could see The Cage on the hill so were close to Lyme Park. With the warmth of the sun in the sheltered pathways we all decided to take off a layer. We were now at the turning point of the walk, so we came back towards the canal, crossed it, followed the marked path towards a farm.
As we arrived at some woods with fallen logs we thought that was a good opportunity to stop for lunch and it was twelve o'clock by then, so a good time to stop. We sat on a log under the trees with a woodpecker calling. The sun was shining and it was very pleasant.
There was mud on the steps down to the road, so we ended up with mud on our boots.
Poynton Tea Room provided us with tea and cake, we had banana cake, fruit cake, a cup cake and a toasted tea cake as well as our cups of tea, 2 very weak earl grey teas and 2 ordinary teas.
Tuesday, 5 February 2019
Planning Meeting
Wednesday 16 January
The Big Lock
We didn't manage to meet for a walk in January so we met for a meal at The Big Lock - they had a special January price deal. So we had a chat, a meal and the year planned out.
The Big Lock
We didn't manage to meet for a walk in January so we met for a meal at The Big Lock - they had a special January price deal. So we had a chat, a meal and the year planned out.
Get Together
Saturday 15 December 2019
The Fox and Hounds Christmas meal.
All ten of us made the meal, there was plenty of food - the portions were very generous.
The Fox and Hounds Christmas meal.
All ten of us made the meal, there was plenty of food - the portions were very generous.
Saturday, 10 November 2018
Alsager Series No. 6 - Wildflowers and Rode Hall
Saturday 10 November 5 miles
Hilary, Carol, Tracey and Jane
The weather was supposed to be ok, possibly sunshine and showers. The previous day had been grey and windy and the evening very windy and rainy, so we were not sure what weather we were going to experience, Hilary had checked the forecast and said that rain was only due in the afternoon.
We left the car by the pub. Beautiful autumn colours along Cherry Lane
Saw a horse with a coat on, the coat had foxes on it.
Walked along the Trent and Mersey Canal passing the locks there were also black and white cows in the field on our right. Then we crossed the canal at bridge 137 and went over the stile, there were cows in this field too, we went down to the bridge where the water was moving quite fast.
We went up the rise in the land across to the corner of as field, and then went through the woods and over the bridge. In spring this wood is full of bluebells but at this time of year we were admiring the colours of the colours of the trees.
As we crossed the fields there was a glow of yellow, as we got nearer we saw that the yellow was rapeseed plants that had self seeded amongst the grass. Then we joined a lane called Lunts Moss walking away from the farm and following the lane until we reached Church Lane.
We crossed Church Lane to walk on the pavement, we passed the entrance to Rode Hall and the parish Church of All Saints of Odd Rode. There is quite a long stretch of road which becomes Poolside after the bend as it passes alongside Rode Pool. There were quite a lot of cars along this road. Having reached the A50 we crossed the road to go along Chapel Lane. There were a couple of people with a dog and the younger woman was kicking up the leaves and the dog was jumping up as though he was trying to catch them. The dog wanted to continue playing with the leaves and not continue on the walk. We passed Rhema Mission Church - the chapel that gives the road it's name.
We were back at the Broughton Arms once we had crossed the road and walked on a bit. We hadn't had lunch and we were not too far from the car. Fortunately the were some benches in the field by the canal so we had the luxury of sitting at a table for our lunch. Of course that was when the rain started and a bit of a breeze, and it was only about quarter past twelve. We were feeling a bit cold by the time we finished our lunch and chat, so it was good to get on the move. As we went towards the path we needed to take there were a group of people with dogs in the way, they let us through, many of them were wearing t-shirts that showed the were supporting 'Children with Cancer', presumably raising money by doing a dog walk.
For this last part of the walk we returned the way we had come going down Cherry Lane again and the sun came out for a moment making it feel warmer. It was not long before we reached the car, and it was time to decide where to have tea and cake. We thought Sandbach would provide us with some possibilities, like The Cafe on the Square. The town was busy as there was a Maker's Market. We managed to park in the main car park when people moved on. We didn't end up at the Cafe on the Square as we thought it might be too busy, so we went to the Peppers Coffee Lounge across the road from the car park. Then it was tea with Victoria sponge, coffee and walnut cake, chocolate and orange cake and a toasted teacake, and a chat.
Hilary, Carol, Tracey and Jane
The weather was supposed to be ok, possibly sunshine and showers. The previous day had been grey and windy and the evening very windy and rainy, so we were not sure what weather we were going to experience, Hilary had checked the forecast and said that rain was only due in the afternoon.
We left the car by the pub. Beautiful autumn colours along Cherry Lane
Saw a horse with a coat on, the coat had foxes on it.
Walked along the Trent and Mersey Canal passing the locks there were also black and white cows in the field on our right. Then we crossed the canal at bridge 137 and went over the stile, there were cows in this field too, we went down to the bridge where the water was moving quite fast.
We went up the rise in the land across to the corner of as field, and then went through the woods and over the bridge. In spring this wood is full of bluebells but at this time of year we were admiring the colours of the colours of the trees.
As we crossed the fields there was a glow of yellow, as we got nearer we saw that the yellow was rapeseed plants that had self seeded amongst the grass. Then we joined a lane called Lunts Moss walking away from the farm and following the lane until we reached Church Lane.
We crossed Church Lane to walk on the pavement, we passed the entrance to Rode Hall and the parish Church of All Saints of Odd Rode. There is quite a long stretch of road which becomes Poolside after the bend as it passes alongside Rode Pool. There were quite a lot of cars along this road. Having reached the A50 we crossed the road to go along Chapel Lane. There were a couple of people with a dog and the younger woman was kicking up the leaves and the dog was jumping up as though he was trying to catch them. The dog wanted to continue playing with the leaves and not continue on the walk. We passed Rhema Mission Church - the chapel that gives the road it's name.
We were back at the Broughton Arms once we had crossed the road and walked on a bit. We hadn't had lunch and we were not too far from the car. Fortunately the were some benches in the field by the canal so we had the luxury of sitting at a table for our lunch. Of course that was when the rain started and a bit of a breeze, and it was only about quarter past twelve. We were feeling a bit cold by the time we finished our lunch and chat, so it was good to get on the move. As we went towards the path we needed to take there were a group of people with dogs in the way, they let us through, many of them were wearing t-shirts that showed the were supporting 'Children with Cancer', presumably raising money by doing a dog walk.
For this last part of the walk we returned the way we had come going down Cherry Lane again and the sun came out for a moment making it feel warmer. It was not long before we reached the car, and it was time to decide where to have tea and cake. We thought Sandbach would provide us with some possibilities, like The Cafe on the Square. The town was busy as there was a Maker's Market. We managed to park in the main car park when people moved on. We didn't end up at the Cafe on the Square as we thought it might be too busy, so we went to the Peppers Coffee Lounge across the road from the car park. Then it was tea with Victoria sponge, coffee and walnut cake, chocolate and orange cake and a toasted teacake, and a chat.
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