By Duncan Smith Quentin lost his mobile phone around here. He often does that on walks. That occasion was four years ago. Not that Quentin came today. Our walk leader is still hobbling on his gammy leg so leadership was delegated to myself. I delegated it to Bessie. Our group was Curt, Jacky,…
|
We welcomed Kath and Geoff, Linda and Andrew, Lyn and Lynn from other groups; along with Bridget and Duncan and myself this made the 9 walkers who set out from Fox House Inn to visit several ancient relics in the White Peak. The weather was better than further west and apart from a couple of…
|
Weardale? Once upon a time, wear-in we were in the Hanging Gate. "Wear shall we go next Easter then?". "A place wear we shall be free from the Easter hordes, a place wear no-one knows wear it is, a place with wonderful walking, a place wear healthy walkers go, wear there are many lovely…
|
Six South Manchester members and Norman from South Pennine met at the Morrison's Store in Chapel, to hear the normal pre-walk sermon from our Leader. Breakfast over, and after snivelling about his poorly leg and how the walk came to be named, we set off towards Chapel Station. A nice bright sunny…
|
This was a dull February day, but in spite of that a party of ten willing walkers turned up at the start point of Windmill Street bridge over the Macclesfield Canal. Our party was honoured by a rare visitation from of of our most senior (i.e. long serving) members, Ann Robinson, joining John,…
|
Twelve members & prospective members (& Tilly the dog) met in a car park in the middle of Northwich, on a frosty, sunny winter's morning. David A immediately led us across the Witton Brook, straight out into miraculously open country, along the path between Neumann's & Ashton's Flashes. These…
|
Twelve intrepid souls braved the snow - and threat of road closures - to meet up at Blaze Farm in Allgreave. Once we got going, Roger first took us down the farm track (icy concrete - lovely!) to the green lane above the Clough Brook, which we followed towards Wildboarclough, turning off just…
|
Most of us left home in heavy rain so we were pleased to find the weather at Langley cloudy but dry. Eight of us started the walk and the same number finished - Lewis and Linda, Julie and Tracey (all new members), Quentin, John, Duncan and myself. Passing the first of four pubs, St Dunstan's Inn,…
|
A lovely sunny autumn start, and 9 met at Hope railway station. From the local group, Quentin, Steve, Duncan, Dave, Alison and Frank, together with Graham from BBN group, plus Jy and Yasmin from the Irregulars. Leaving the station, the sun promised much, and this was to be with us all day. After…
|
Pheasants, Phones & Furrows We enjoyed a weekend in the Cotswolds, walking the 42-mile Winchcombe Way. At 8.30, Rosie & John B (now living in nearby Tewkesbury) were joined outside Winchcombe tourist office by local Bristol & West member Julianne (Jules), Chris & Glenis from Staffordshire &…
|
Thanks to John for his walk yesterday. It isn't true that John doesn't do hills, well nearly all of them.!! 10 of us out and good to see Vanda & Paul, Jackie from High Peak, Janet from Vermuyden and Lewis (only 17 and walking on less than 2 hours sleep!!) with Kev, Colin, Duncan, John and myself…
|
Led by David A, six of us had a pleasant outing viewing rainbows over Oaken- and Wildboar Cloughs. We returned by Cessbank Common and the Brown Hill ridge, surrounded by the illuminated sights of Leek, Macclesfield, Stockport and Winter Hill. We should have been joined by Christophe from Kent…
|
Thank you to Peter for the walk for old wrecks on Tuesday. Nine walkers out, including members from South Manchester, High Peak, Sherwood, Vermuyden and BB&N. We started with 9 and finished with 9. Was it the fact that the clag was down and only Peter knew where we were to go? There are still…
|
Led by Duncan, we explored the woods above the River Etherow, then meandered entertainingly around the slopes of Werneth Low, finishing with a leisurely amble around Etherow Country Park. As the rain had arrived half an hour before we finished, on our return to Compstall we retired to the Andrew…
|
- or should that be Ladybower Polygon?20 miles and 4,000 feet of ascentOn 9th July 2011, seven people put one foot in front of another for eight hours walking in a circle from Fairholmes in the Derwent Valley. It rained a bit then the sun shone. The day was enjoyed by all. That's the short…
|
For this evening walk, some of the old stalwarts were joined by Sheena on her first time out with the group, prospective member Colin, and Dora & Keith from Staffordshire group. At 7.20, we set off from the Castle Inn, across Biddulph Road, to turn off up Biddulph Street, continuing along the path…
|
Eight o'clock, and Dave Gosling, Dave Wright, Frank & Norman from South Pennine group joined John in Stockport's Mersey Square. After waiting ten minutes for stragglers, we set off up Wellington Road North, soon turning off to pass through Heaton Norris Recreation Ground and Dodge Hill to Tiviot…
|
Distance: 20 miles Ascent: 2,800ft. Time: 7 hours. At Trafalgar, Admiral Collingwood's flagship, HMS Royal Sovereign, was in action so quickly that I'm surprised that Nelson did not fly a second signal, 'Slow down Collingwood, leave some prizes for the rest of us.' Collingwood blasted…
|
By Duncan Smith Friday 29th April. Brown Clee Hill DISTANCE: 10.2 miles ASCENT: 1775 ft TIME: 3 ½ hours. One must thank Prince William and Kate Middleton for getting married today, thereby creating an extra day's Bank Holiday and increasing our Shropshire weekend…
|
Good Friday morning, and Christine, Duncan, John & Quentin were driving through the quiet lanes between Belfast and County Down. Shortly before 9am, we arrived at Meelmore Lodge, at the foot of the Mountains of Mourne, a few miles outside Newcastle, which was to be there home for the next four…
|
The joint walk with South Pennine met at Kettleshulme on a cool overcast day and descended Kishfield Lane to the namesake bridge. We ascended through the woods, before the bluebells had appeared, above Todd Brook. After crossing the road at Walker Brow we turned along the lane towards Taxal and…
|
Duncan, John, Quentin & Steve accompanied Bridget in the southern fringes of the Clwydian Hills to the north of Llangollen. We were joined in the early part of the walk by Dave G & his fiancée Sue (& regular guest Bess). One notable absentee was Peter, whose significant birthday we were celebrating…
|
We had another good turnout this month; 13 members and guests (along with Bess the dog) set off from Nelson Pit on another grey morning. Led by Carl, we first followed the Bullock Smithy route, up to Four Winds, through Lyme Park, up to the Bowstones, down past the Moorside Hotel, skirting Whaley…
|
We were delighted that 19 walkers, including 7 new or potential LDWA members, arrived at the Tegg's Nose Reservoir car park just east of Langley, near Macclesfield. It was cloudy but dry as we set off along Clarke Lane and then via a steady climb through Macc Forest to Nessit Hill where we paused…
|
This year, South Manchester Group braved the elements to enjoy their annual Christmas walk. While other groups were cancelling walks left, right & centre, ten hardier souls (including two prospective new members) happily meandered for 14 miles through the snowfields of the East Cheshire peaks &…
|
At 9.00 on a clear, frosty morning, nine members set off from Brabyns Brow car park, Marple Bridge. In keeping with the best traditions of South Manchester group, four more were picked up en route - the ones who had gone to Brabyns Park car park (including your Webmaster - duh!). Today's walk…
|
Those that got out on Saturday fared better than the 6 of us on Sunday. Low cloud all day, we missed the sponsored walkers on Pendle Hill itself but still quite a few people around and plenty of witches and ghouls on Pendle Hill. Good to see Ken testing out the group and hope the delay for lunch…
|
Thanks to Dave (Wright) for our outing on Bleaklow and the edges of Kinder last Saturday. There were 6 of us and Sue & Kevin joined us again; thank you and we look forward to seeing you again soon.We had good value for money - Peter has computed the distance and it was between 21 & 22 miles (used…
|
For Derek's first offering for South Manchester group, not only did we get an excellent turnout (15 members and prospective members), but also unseasonably good weather - as a break from the usual summer wind and drizzle, we had a fine, clear day and even some sunshine! Starting from Bowden…
|
Eight members (& Bess the dog) joined Stephen for an evening stroll around Bollington (your humble Webmaster, having arrived by bicycle, was the cause of much mirth & hilarity in certain quarters). Starting from Clough Bank car park (by the Middlewood Way), we passed through Tinkers Clough &…
|
On a warm but showery summer's morning, Bridget, David A, Duncan, Frank, John K, Peter, Steve & Tracy joined Quentin - retirement postponed not cancelled - outside Macclesfield station. Setting off up Buxton Road, passing Arighi Bianchi's famous furniture factory & store and the Bridgewater Arms,…
|
Avril & David A, Bridget & Derek, David G & Bess, Duncan, John J & Viv, John K and Steve set off at 7pm from the Elms pub in Pickmere. After passing through the housing estate, we crossed the fields, with distant views of the Mere on our right, to reach Higher Wincham. An unavoidable mile along…
|
On one of the hottest days of the year so far, John & Duncan were joined by Rob from Lichfield on a tour of Cannock Chase in the heart of Staffordshire. Starting at Stafford station, we set off alongside the River Sow and the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal to Milford. From there we climbed…
|
South Pennine & South Manchester groups recently walked this 18 mile Saddleworth anytime challenge, devised by Bob Tait 30 years ago . Here is an account of the day
|
This Easter, Duncan organised a weekend's walking for us in the Gower peninsula, South Wales. He was joined by Dave & Avril Allen, John B & Rosie, John K and Quentin. Arriving at Rhossili bunkhouse on Friday afternoon, Duncan, John K & Quentin had a short walk over Rhossili Down, returning along…
|
Frank, John and Steve were joined by new member Liz, all arriving together at Glossop station on the 09.49 out of Manchester Piccadilly. It was a drizzly day, but the Dark Peak beckoned, with the “old bones” of the winter's snow still visible up on the heights. Passing through Old…
|
On a sunny February Saturday, Dave Williams was joined by Duncan, Frank, John & Dave's friend Keith on a perambulation of Sefton's Natural Coast. Mostly following the waymarked Sefton Coastal Path, we first encountered Anthony Gormley's world-famous installation "Another Place" (the Crosby…
|
On a clear, very cold, Saturday morning, Carl, Duncan, James, John and Roger met up on Llangollen Bridge in time for the 09.19 bus to Corwen. On arrival, we set off, initially following the route of the former GWR Ruabon-Barmouth railway alongside the River Dee, through Narnia-esque wintry…
|
Thanks to those that came on the walk on Saturday and to those other members who were able to join us for the meal. Hope you didn't get too wet on the final leg home and those that were off to concerts got there on time and enjoyed them. Thanks again for your company and attendance.Steve
|
On Sunday, John, Frank and David A were joined at Culcheth Linear Park by Tim "Anytime Anywhere" Glenn, Fred from Wigan, Jane from East Yorks group and her daughter-in-law Sharron, a prospective new member from Culcheth itself. Following a couple of miserably wet days, the forecast was for…
|
Early on an overcast but fine Good Friday afternoon, Duncan & John met up with Paul & Vanda at the Foxhunter car park – 20 minutes later, we were celebrating reaching the 561m top of Blorenge, our first summit of the weekend, from which we had fine views of most of the Brecon Beacons National…
|
John led a 19-mile walk from Rushton Spencer. Two weeks before Easter, we experienced sun, rain, thunder & lightning, snow & fog!
|