Denice wrote...
Thursday walk 14 Jan 2016 "Mud glorious mud" A Denise Special.
On a very grey morning 8 of us set off, a tad late thanks to the leader getting lost on way to start point! (No change there). Luckily, the clouds cleared by about 1130 and a really sunny day with clear blue sky was very much enjoyed.
From the Arden Arms we headed across fields to Turners Lane where we met a former Tameside Country Park Ranger walking her 2 cute Schnauzers, Dillon and Jamie. She pointed out that we had accidentally taken a short cut across private farm land where once upon a time the farmer would come out with his shot gun to warn off ramblers. We saw 3 donkeys which were named after members of the Simpsons clan.
Across Arden Bridge we joined Tameside Trail where we found quite a long bench which held 5 out of 8 for tea break.
Across very muddy horse trodden fields, we had a troop of horses thunder past us - almost Wild West style. Heading up the waterlogged hill we joined the TPT which took us past Hyde Hall and along Ross Lave Lane which was flooded with enormous puddles. Crossing the M60 we descended to Reddish Vale Country Park where we enjoyed the comforts of the Visitor Centre for our lunch break.
After a short circuit of the bird filled ponds with ducks, geese, coots and a lone cormorant, we joined yet another muddy path beside woods and then the M60 where we crossed via the footbridge. The next stretch of path was truly disgusting - littered with all sorts of fly-tipped debris, before we joined a cleaner lane skirting the ancient Arden Hall with the fortified tower and so back to the Arden Arms.
Sue & Debbie were 2 newcomers, who enjoyed our 7 mile circuit and the rest of us popped along to the Fletchers Arms for well deserved refreshment as the Arden Arms was not due to open until 3pm.
Denise
On a very grey morning 8 of us set off, a tad late thanks to the leader getting lost on way to start point! (No change there). Luckily, the clouds cleared by about 1130 and a really sunny day with clear blue sky was very much enjoyed.
From the Arden Arms we headed across fields to Turners Lane where we met a former Tameside Country Park Ranger walking her 2 cute Schnauzers, Dillon and Jamie. She pointed out that we had accidentally taken a short cut across private farm land where once upon a time the farmer would come out with his shot gun to warn off ramblers. We saw 3 donkeys which were named after members of the Simpsons clan.
Across Arden Bridge we joined Tameside Trail where we found quite a long bench which held 5 out of 8 for tea break.
Across very muddy horse trodden fields, we had a troop of horses thunder past us - almost Wild West style. Heading up the waterlogged hill we joined the TPT which took us past Hyde Hall and along Ross Lave Lane which was flooded with enormous puddles. Crossing the M60 we descended to Reddish Vale Country Park where we enjoyed the comforts of the Visitor Centre for our lunch break.
After a short circuit of the bird filled ponds with ducks, geese, coots and a lone cormorant, we joined yet another muddy path beside woods and then the M60 where we crossed via the footbridge. The next stretch of path was truly disgusting - littered with all sorts of fly-tipped debris, before we joined a cleaner lane skirting the ancient Arden Hall with the fortified tower and so back to the Arden Arms.
Sue & Debbie were 2 newcomers, who enjoyed our 7 mile circuit and the rest of us popped along to the Fletchers Arms for well deserved refreshment as the Arden Arms was not due to open until 3pm.
Denise
