Using That Extra Hour
Somehow I seemed to arrange a couple of hours tennis with Caroline for this morning, and to meet Adam for a five mile walk this afternoon. Still, these are things we can do in the Tier 3 lockdown, and the extra hour created a great chance to explore a different part of Greater Manchester.
Travel time 40 minutes each way.
Walk time 2.5 hours, though Adam had bought a couple of splendid cans of beer which we enjoyed near the end of the walk, adding another quarter of an hour.
The walk is 5.25 miles, with a total ascent of 1180ft, 360m. A couple of areas had sheep grazing, but there is plenty of scope for dogs to run free.
Weather – dry, intermittent cloud and sun
Ordnance Survey Explorer Map OL21
Parking – on the road, Ogden Lane, or in the small car park by the dam. The toilets were closed until further notice.
Yes, that is the M62 on the map! However, the wind was coming from the south, so it wasn’t at all noisy!
Ogden Reservoir, And A Roe Deer
We crossed the dam, and headed up left through a small wood.
As we exited the wood, a glance to our right brought today’s wildlife of the day, a roe deer!
We were soon enjoying beautiful views back down to the reservoir.
M62 Motorway
The engineering feat that is the M62 emerged to our left:
Nicholas Pike
The public footpath skirts this hill, but feeling adventurous we took the steep ascent to the summit, to be rewarded with spectacular views
Piethorne Reservoir
We passed Norman Hill Reservoir on our left and headed down to the head of Piethorne Reservoir with its pretty gates and waterfall.
The High Moors
We headed up to the pub on the A 672. It was open, but we wouldn’t be stopping for “a substantial meal”, so the law says we couldn’t sit on a bench outside and enjoy a pint – it really is ridiculous!
The return journey brought more great reservoir views, before we stopped for refreshments on the banks of Piethorne Reservoir.
Graham’s Refreshment Selection 
Adam’s Refreshment Selection
And Finally….
2020 has been strange, but it has delivered some musical gems. Released in July, the album is titled Hate For Sale, and this is Chrissie Hynde at her best….