Sunday 24 March 2013 Denise’s Walk Plan A, B, C!

Sunday 24 March 2013 Denise’s Walk Plan A, B, C!

This weekend reminded me of my walk about a year ago on 4th March both for the low turnout (4 then, 5 this time) and the somewhat inclement weather. Some monitoring of weather and travel went on between Colin and myself in the days running up to the weekend, with passing thoughts of possible cancellation occurring.






The brave souls playing at “Scott of the Polar Regions” were myself, Peter and Helen, Harvey and Colin. Plan A had to be abandoned, as the A58 was cut off which prevented us going to the White House Pub up near Blackstone Edge. Colin phoned on the mob, as he had travelled directly from home, and said he was at the car park at Hollingworth Lake, snow-free by a miracle.

We set off at 10.30 having made Plan B, which was to head for Blackstone Edge via Ealees and Lydgate, then drop down just south of the M62 and back to the Lake. The wind was howling and progress was slower than usual. Our morning snap was in the shelter of a parked 4 by 4 at the edge of Lydgate. The wind was full on down the minor road leading up to the A58, measured at 36mph by Colin’s clever little gismo and yours truly felt it could sweep me away completely. At the road junction, a decision was taken to make Plan C, as Blackstone Edge could be positively dangerous, being that much higher.

Back down to Lydgate, with some hysterical laughter as I plunged almost waist deep and had to be hauled out by Helen by my rucksack strap. We took the track southwards, parallel to the pylon lines, so at least had the wind at our backs. As we stopped to decide on where to try and have lunch, two chaps arrived saying “Don’t stop, we have been using your foot tracks to ease our way!”. They both had very posh long lens cameras and were out to find beautiful photos – no shortage there.

We found shelter behind a wall and made seats into the drifted snow for a relatively comfortable lunch with views of Benny Hill (to Helen’s amusement) and the very grey wind-whipped Hollingworth Lake.

Finally we headed down to Scholfield Hall where we were bombarded by the buzz of the M62 which passes nearby on a high viaduct. Up a sheltered sunken lane, down through a wood, across a surprise boggy patch to the lane past oddly named Peanock Farm. This looked abandoned, as both the garage and front door were totally covered in snow. Perhaps the owners were in sunnier climes.

A short walk through bungalowsville took us back to the Lake Car Park after an exhilarating walk. Many thanks to Colin for his help both in sussing out the road closure in advance and suggestions of good traffic map/weather sites on t’internet beforehand. Think SWOG members will be looking warily at my walks, though I have led some sunny ones in the past!