04th: Buxton to Hazel Grove pub trail

04th: Buxton to Hazel Grove pub trail

Five of us met up on the 12.00 pm train to Buxton : Emily, Philomena, Pete, Simone and myself. We started the afternoon in ‘The Railway’, where we took advantage of the good value meals; Simone’s sizzling steak was particularly impressive. We then stopped at ‘The Miltons Head’ on the way back to the station; and, after a scramble up the hill, we made it just in time for our train. 

Our first stop was Whaley Bridge, where we called at the ‘Shepherds Arms’, thanks to Pete & Helen for the recommendation; it was an excellent choice.

Next stop was all of two minutes away on the train at Furness Vale, ‘The Crossings’. Here we met up with John and Dave who had cycled down to meet us. There was some debate as to whether they would come with us on the train or cycle to the next stop at New Mills. In the end we went on the train, although the next planned pub, ‘The Beehive’ was shut (even although it had been open on the reccie). Pete took us

to ‘The Rock’ instead and we never did see John & Dave, sorry boys.

We then travelled on to Disley and met up with Glenys, Campbell and Joanne at ‘The Rams Head’. Our final train leg took us back to Hazel Grove and a tasty curry at ‘The Blue Nile’. There were various further pub stops after this as evening merged into night and night into morning……

John H

Photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/stockportwalkingoutdoors/TrainAndTrailToBuxtonLedByJohn

03rd: Fingerpost pub night

03rd: Fingerpost pub night

This was the first pub night at ‘The Fingerpost’ on Hempshaw Lane in Offerton and I was rather nervous as to the numbers that might turn out. As it was, I  need not have worried, as a total of 19 of us came along. People came from far and wide, including from Hyde (Philomena and Ian), Poynton (Sue & Pete) and even Essex (Lisa, Philomena’s daughter). Others of us came from closer to; I walked to the pub, as usual, and this took me all of two minutes.

We were able to use a separate room off the bar and we filled this up over the course

of the evening. Some of us partook of the excellent food cooked by Rob the landlord; the steaks (10”, £ 5.95) were particularly well received. The last of us wended our way home sometime about mid-night.

I think that it’s fair to say that a good evening was had by all; and thanks to everyone who came along to make the evening such a success.

John H

Nant perris weekend

Weekend at Nant Peris

Click here to see the photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/stockportwalkingoutdoors/AugustBankHolidayCampingNantPerrisNorthWales

25th: Last evening walk of summer

25th: Last evening walk of summer

Well it was already growing dark at 7pm as we picked up our boots to set off for the last Wednesday evening walk of 2010. Then as we stepped out of the house the first raindrops fell. But we thought "we cannot let Steve down, he has already been soaked when he rehearsed the walk last week."

 

We arrived at Bramhall Park to find that others had turned out despite the bad forecast. However it was not raining yet so we assembled to be given our instructions.

It had been advertised as "Map, Compass, Torch and Treasure" so we suspected that this would not be an easy, follow the leader, stroll around the park. And we were right. Steve divided us into teams of 5 and handed us a sheet of instructions before sending us off at five minute intervals so that we couldn't cheat. We had to follow the directions, take compass bearings and answer a few questions as we walked the route. Some of the questions were easy - who is the bench dedicated to? how many trees on the little island (if I was setting the questions I would have asked "how many ducks on the island!!) and so on. Some trick directions added to the fun - if we turn left we go uphill, not down - but by reading ahead to later clues we deduced that if we turn RIGHT and downhill we would come to the lake.

Every now and then we met another group who had either got lost or had directions which led them in the opposite direction to us or we met Steve who kept popping out from behind trees to see how we were getting on.

So far so good but now the directions led us out of the safety of the park and onto other footpaths and it was growing darker by the minute (thankfully the rain held off so at least we are staying dry). Just as our eyes were adjusting to the dark, someone who shall remain nameless switched on her torch and we lost our night vision!

But we continued until the path seemed to come to a dead end - we had missed the footbridge, it was getting late, we were getting thirsty - so we turned back, and met a group that had set off before us coming the other way! Bravely they decided to continue as we headed back to the start. Before long we saw torches ahead - the other group had succeeded in finding the correct route (but only because they met some dog walkers coming down the hill from the footbridge - so we had not reached it after all).

Before long we met everyone else back at the Hall, all safely returned.

 

And now for the really tricky part of the evening - finding the pub from various sets of directions. But we got there in the end.

 

thanks Steve for a very good evening - maybe do one in daylight next year?

But hang on a minute - where was the treasure????