Introduction
Having returned home at 10pm last night from a busy and enjoyable 3 night stay in Lincoln, I decided that a shorter local walk would be in order today!
The weather started wet; the steady rain continued unabated throughout the walk. Thankfully, there was little breeze and it was quite warm.
It’s a 25 minute driven hour to drive from Cheadle Hulme to my start point at the Middlewood Way on Clarke Lane.
The walk is 5.5 miles with 500feet (150m) of ascent.
It took 2 hours 30 minutes, plus 15 minutes for lunch.
It’s a mixed walk for dogs who like to run off the lead. There’s some farm tracks, but also quite a lot of sheep pasture.
The walk is on OS Explorer Map 268.
I parked on the roadside on Clarke Lane, just after the Lord Clyde pub and Kerridge Cricket Club, use postcode SK10 5AH.
Middlewood Way and The Macclesfield Canal
After joining the former railway line, the Middlewood Way, and heading south, I soon came to a track on my left.
This soon led me to the canal.
I headed south on the tow path. The season is very much autumn now, and the canalside plants are dying. This Gunnera leaf was amazing.
At the first bridge, I left the canal, and headed across the sheep pasture. Another couple of hardy souls were out walking!
Higher Hurdsfield To Saddle of Kerridge
This is pretty countryside, despite the miserable weather.
At Higher Swanscoe Farm, the Random Apple Company has its own notice board and signpost.
The next cottage along the lane is particularly attractive.
There were other things to catch my eye. I have no idea how or why these circles were formed.
The track to Lower Swanscoe Farm runs alongside a symmetrical valley.
The route now rises, but the views normally expected have disappeared in the mist.
Leaving the quiet lanes behind, the path up the hill heads through a copse. You could be forgiven for thinking the bright autumn leaves indicate that the weather was changing. It wasn’t!
In fact, visibility had reduced further om the western slope of the Saddle.
However, when I reached the top, I found the views east to Rainow were much better.
White Nancy And The Descent
I followed the well-worn track along the Saddle of Kerridge to the landmark that is White Nancy.
Yes, it was still raining.
I descended the steep steps through the trees, then the lanes past The Bulls Head. Taking a path on my left, I had a londg stretch across the sheep fields.
At Clarke Lane, I could have opted to cut my losses and take the short walk down to the car, But no, I crossed the road into the field opposite, and was rewarded by seeing the ducks on a pond enjoying this weather!
The track down to my right took me back to the same point where i’d joined the canal at the start of the walk. Now, I took the tow path the opposite way, enjoying the quiet way ahead to reach the Clarke Lane bridge.
I was very pleased with the performance of my waterproof clothing and shoes. Though I wouldn’t want to walk in that weather every week, I did enjoy it today. It’s a great walk that I would definitely recommend.
And Finally….
We went to see Thea Gilmore at HOME in Manchester last Friday.
Great venue, and I enjoyed the gig.
This is Bones from her EP “WAS”, released this month.
Mr. Half Day Walker, As the weather turns poor, good gear & supplies become essential, so does back up following ETA issues. Route adherence & extra planning saves life. I do like the photos you take and level of description, your blogs are a real treat for would-be walkers & armchair observer’s. I prefer your combined trips with Rolo & or Caroline. I do admit to liking the Red Riding Outfit but it’s no lighting, Rod? I may be overly pessimistic, but walking has become a way of life for you, & good that is, but there are times when venturing out on to the hills is really not on. Snow and Ice, high winds, heavy storms high prospect off lightning must be a No point. I truly enjoyed your Hebdon Bridge & Welsh, further afield odyssey’s & figure your open to changing your format. In the worst of weathers why not consider capturing the fast-changing town scape, something disappearing captured on camera for prosperity. It’s a different walk, but more protected & just as energy intensive. Your camera and descriptive skills are most valuable & on bad weather days, having such target towns researched & lined up, might just stop you venturing into a danger. Another point, capture more shots with people in them, size matters and perspective are aided by animals & people. City shots need people and vehicles, so future observes can see styles, & guess the age by that on the road. I observe old street photos at the library & online. I often see people I actually once observed long ago. I think you will want to go out walking when you really should not, having ideas for back up activity is wise. My idea may not be for you, so please chat with others & form a backup that excites you. Very proud to see what you are achieving; it is no small activity & I enjoy your walks if you don’t ha ha!
Thanks Paul. Safety is always high on my agenda. Cal has a copy of the route plan, and I message her halfway round. I rarely see any people to capture in photos! I did do one city walk, though town walks wouldn’t be much fun in bad weather. I’d probably just end up in a museum, or pub! Cheers!