Shining Cliff Weekend

Weekend: Hallowe'en at Shining Cliff

Hi there, just a short note to thank everybody who attended The Shining Cliff weekend. I think I can take the liberty to say everybody seemed to enjoy themselves immensely,  the weather was good, the company was good, and the food and drink exceptional. The Hallowe'en theme was a great success and the costumes especially the masks  were very impressive.
The Saturday Morning started as it should with an excellent breakfast organised and cooked by Rick and Helen (see Ricks new book 'How to transport 40 eggs down a dark bomb cratered path without breakage').
With the breakfasts digesting well we embarked on the 6 or 7 mile walk to the ' Hollybush' at Makenay encouraged by the splendid Autumn colours of the woods surrounding us, and the prospect of over seventeen real ales on sale.
Saturday evening after arriving back at the Hostel individuals treated themselves to a 'power shower'  ( I think not). As Jo got her wonderful chilli on the go to cater for the masses the resident GHOULS were changing into their costumes creating the impression of a canteen at some Hammer Horror Movie set.
Later, with Ghoulish bellies well full the natural backdrop of the woods complete with neighbouring cave provided a great atmosphere for a group photo session. (some very impressive photo's).If any film company or writer comes up with the title Frankenstein, Dracula,Igor,and the red caped crusader with the severed arm meet the Hound Dog, just remember We have the rites!

Photo shoot over we retired to the common room to take the chill from our spines  and sample more beer, wines, and SPIRITS. Whoever brought the CD with the 20 or so Hallowe'en tracks well done  absolutely brill.  After listening to the usual traditional spooky tales Campbell alias COUNT DRACULA decided to have a romp through the woods ending up at the local pub to the amusement of the locals no doubt where they kept him provided with 'STAKES'  and BLOODY MARY'S!  (sorry).

Thanks to everybody for making it what it was especially Jo for providing the Chilli, and Rick and Helen for the Breakfasts and Rick again for helping me with the walks.

Pete N

 

Click these links to see the photos:

Breakfast: http://picasaweb.google.com/stockportwalkingoutdoors/ShiningCliffBigBreakfaskShow

Saturday walk: http://picasaweb.google.com/stockportwalkingoutdoors/ShiningCliffSaturdayWalk

Hallowe'en: http://picasaweb.google.com/stockportwalkingoutdoors/ShiningCliffHallloween

 

Whaley Brisge Walk

10th: Whaley Bridge walk

We were blessed with glorious autumnal sunshine for our walk on Sunday. Some 18 of us set off from the canal basin and proceeded by way of Toddbook reservoir
(rather empty) to Taxal church. Here we were denied the customary refreshment stop due to the church being used for a service; whatever next, and on a Sunday too….

We then dropped down over the nascent River Goyt and back up along Elnor Lane and the side of Ladder Hill to Combs. Alongside The Beehive pub (most acceptable Copper Dragon bitter) we found an ideal sun trap of a spot for a leisurely lunch. We then passed the golf club (scene of various triumphs of Les’s) on the way to Eccles Pike which afforded awesome views in all directions.

After that it was all down hill via the Peak Tramway trail to The Navigation at Buxworth (apparently the locals didn’t like ‘Bugsworth’ and had the name changed
by deed poll so to speak). Here we met up with Vinnie and Leslie; they had taken a somewhat shorter route and seemed well ensconced at the pub…..

After welcome refreshment, it was then on to the junction with the Peak Forest canal and left to Whaley Bridge, except for yours truly who proceeded right to Offerton by way of Marple and the Goyt Valley; and no, I didn’t stop at any pubs, honest…

Thanks to everyone for coming along on a most enjoyable walk.

John H

 

click on this link to view the photos: http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/stockportwalkingoutdoors/JohnsWalk#

Forest Of Bowland

17th: Forest of Bowland

Please click here to see the photos:

http://picasaweb.google.com/stockportwalkingoutdoors/ForestOFBowland14MileWalk#

Cheshire Ring canal walk

09th: Cheshire Ring canal walk

Our hardy crew of Linda, Tracy, Sue and myself met up at Stockport station on Saturday for the second stage of our Cheshire canal ring walk. After various alarms
on the journey to the station, we all made the 9.58 train…..just……. We alighted at Kidsgrove; steps from the car park took us down on to the Trent & Mersey towpath and onto Hardings Wood Junction, where it was a left turn towards Macclesfield.

We lunched at the excellent Queens Head at Congleton, surreptitiously munching our sarnies whilst sitting on their patio. We met up with a couple of lads who were doing
the same route as us but who were camping out ‘wild’ in Macclesfield (now there’s a thought…). The scenery through the countryside towards Macc was wonderful on a
pleasant afternoon, in particular on the flight of locks at Bosley.

We had a refreshment break at the Fools Nook alongside the Macc- Leek road, most welcome as the pub had been shut on my previous visit. We came off the canal
at The Old Kings Head at Macc and proceeded by way of The Railway View to Wetherspoons for victuals, including the sorry story of a roast chicken dinner covered
in some most unwanted barbecue sauce.

At a somewhat late hour, we finally made our way back on the train to Stockport, where we literally bumped into Digger on his way back from a Grand Designs
exhibition at the NEC.

Our next leg is planned to cover Macc to Hyde by way of Marple and we will try to organize this so that it doesn’t clash with any other SWOG event…..

John H