Mushrooms, Muck and Misadventure
From Butterton we headed west, dropping briefly into the Hamps Valley before climbing towards Upper Elkstone, then descending to Warslow and the Manifold Valley. From there came a yomp up and over Ecton Hill before returning via Grindon.
Bear right
Cows, Cults and A Classified Cake Recipe
It was a rainy start to the day, and for a while we suspected the weather forecast had been written by someone with a vendetta against walkers. Fortunately, the skies eventually behaved themselves and the rain eased, allowing us to set off from Rode Heath, with Charlie very kindly offering his drive as our car park for the day.
The route was a lengthy but less undulating affair than our usual escapades, taking us through a patchwork of town, fields and open countryside, with a climb to Prospect Hill providing splendid views across the Cheshire Plain. We followed sections of the Cheshire Plain and South Cheshire Way, looping back through Alsager before returning to Rode Heath.
After weeks of heatwave and drought, it was quite a treat to encounter puddles. Doubtless, that enthusiasm will evaporate like a rain cloud over the next few weeks.
Wildlife was plentiful too: a buzzard circling ominously overhead (hopefully not assessing the group for weaknesses), badger setts, and particularly zippy squirrels who appeared to have taken on the role of unofficial pace-setters at times.
We also passed the house of Denise Coates of Bet365 fame. Its entrance had the welcoming charm of a religious cult headquarters, and one of us decided to wave enthusiastically at the security cameras.,,,,twice Somewhere, undoubtedly, a security debrief is still trying to establish the threat level posed by a group of walkers armed with walking poles and questionable humour.
It was lovely, too, to encounter plenty of other people. We are often wandering through the wilds, seeing little more than livestock and each other, so the friendly smiles, hellos and general goodwill of fellow walkers and locals made a refreshing change.
A lovely walk, lovely company and a wonderfully appropriate way to celebrate Charlie’s belated birthday.
Today's walk was scheduled for the annual 20 mile challenge walk over the 5 Cheshire peaks, but with a heatwave threatening temperatures in high 30s, a shorter, more sheltered walk was called for. After leaving the car park at the bottom of Tegg's Nose, after 20 minutes the highest point was reached, with 360° views, unfortunately partly obscured by mist. The structure of the top is very interesting - well crafted in dry stone walling, but often missed in favour of the path through the quarry which contours round below. There is a series of spyholes built into the walls through each of which can be seen significant landmarks such as Shuttlingsloe, Croker Hill, Manchester Airport and so on.
From there, it was another 10 minutes to the visitor centre and the last chance to freshen up before venturing back out into the sunshine. A nice walk leads back down to the car park, giving unusual views of Tegg's Nose itself, being shaded and interspersed with a couple of streams before it reaches the first of the four reservoirs on the walk. After following the Gritstone Trail for a while, the attempt to cross the dam of Ridgegate Reservoir was foiled by a closed footpath, necessitating backtracking and a stretch of road walking before reaching the forest itself.
The trails up to through the forest towards Shutlingsloe soon became pleasantly sheltered and breezy, but still a stiff climb. There was a stretch in the open again up to the top car park, and then another after leaving the shelter of the trees until reaching Chapel in the Forest but compensated for by good views over the Cat & Fiddle.
There were nine ramblers who turned up at Rudyard station for the walk, from five different groups. There had been a beautiful sunrise, but a hard frost meant we were all well wrapped up. By the time we were climbing up the old Roman Road towards the top of Gunn Hill the warmth of the sun was coming through, and for our coffee break at the trig point we could still enjoy the sunshine and crystal clear views over the Cheshire plain, Croker Hill, Shutlingloe, the Roaches and Morridge Edge.
From there, we dropped towards Meerbrook before contouring northwards, then another stiff climb up and over to Gunn End where we had a lunch stop outside Swythamley village hall. Then a long steady drop down to the Dane and a short stretch along the feeder canal. It was evident that no sun had reached the valley as all the leaves underfoot were still crisp with frost.
Leaving the canal, we climbed up into Rushton Spencer and joined the disused railway line towards Rudyard. On reaching the Lake we could see the water level was recovering quite well before climbing again to follow the western shore past the sailing club. The Hotel tempted most of us in for tea and cake before the final half mile back to the cars. The varied 16-mile walk drew to an end as the darkness was beginning to thicken.
Nine Ramblers from seven different groups met near the aqueduct on Old Knutsford Road, all attracted by the promise of a demanding walk. Coming from as far afield as Leicester and Stockport it shows there is a demand for longer walks.
Having crossed the fields to Scholar Green, crossing the canal over the swing bridge was a novelty enjoyed by all. Having to yank up the chain from the bottom of the canal, then pull across the bridge was great fun, even though the chain itself was covered in weed.