Taxal Edge (Oct 2012)

Last of the Summer Wine?

Today saw a reduced LOTSW team out (Tony B, Tony W, Neil G) with 3 men not available (Andrew - no pass, Julian - tradesmen supervision, David - stuck in traffic and gave up and went home).

After coffee/cake (thanks Tony W) the walk today started at Taxal Church CP (50p donations welcome) and followed the Goyt Valley along to Fernilee Reservoir. A few ups and downs took us to Taxal Edge and then down through the fields to Kettleshulme and welcome pint and lunch at The Swan Inn. After lunch was a short 1.5 miles back to the cars up and over Taxal Edge.

The forecast was for torrential rain but in the end there was drizzle for 5 mins and the rest of the walk remained dry.

Plans being drawn up for a pre-Christmas LOTSW - Doodle Poll to follow.

Neil

Friday 1st June 2012

The LOTSW group were Tony B, Tony W, Andrew & Neil for a walk to celebrate Tony B's 60th birthday. We did a walk around the Heywood area and had lunch at the Pack Horse Inn. The walk had good views across Manchester and afterwards we all celebrated with tea, cake and champagne.

The next walk is planned for September around Macclesfield - Neil will arrange a date/route.

Wednesday 21st March

Whilst the Chancellor put the finishing touches to his speech for the 2012 buget the LOTSW team were out in force (Andrew, David, Julian, Neil, Tony & Tony) for a walk starting by Ridgegate Reservoir and taking in Macc Forest, Nessit Hill, Shutlingsloe, Piggford Moor and the Ryles Arms.

Lunch was good quality but there was much debate about 'chip quantity'. Beer was viewed as 'excellent' - especially the 'Wibbly Wobbly'.

Summit of Shutlingsloe

The walk was just over 8 miles and we enjoyed great weather - just about perfect for walking and 'putting the world to rights'.

The next walk is currently planned for May 30th and is being 'planned' by the 'almost 60' Tony Baxter.

Delamere - Kelsall - Willington

Yet again the LOTSW walking group picked a good day for walking. Clear skies, sunshine, a bit of breeze and nicely 'fresh'. This route started from 'Greenacre' (Andrew's pad) after a good strong coffee and some chocolate biscuits and headed off towards Kelsall. The route was surprisingly 'up and down' and after about 5 miles and 1h50m we were standing at the bar of the Boot Inn in Willington with a 'pint of best'.

A good lunch was consumed (and not a 'fish and chips' in sight) and then a short 3 miles back to Andrew's via Primrose Wood.

The walk was in recognition of Andrew's 60th so some celebratory champagne was consumed together with mince pies & home made scones (thanks to Gill).

A good walk - well executed by our gallant (and ageing) leader.

Route and elevation

Hopefully 2012 will bring more good walks, more good food, more good banter and more good weather.

Gradbach, Lud's Church & Danebridge

 

 The LOTSW team were out for a jaunt around the Gradbach & Danebridge area - a 7.6 mile route taking in Lud's Church and the Ship Inn at Wincle (where a very pleasant lunch was taken). As it is harvest time there was a wonderful 'Harvest Loaf' on display at the pub.

The team consisted of Andrew, David, Neil & Tony W - Tony B was only there at lunch due to a knee injury and Julian had to drop out due to a poorly fridge and poorly child.

Lud's Church is formed within the thick bed of coarse sandstone known locally as the Roaches Grit. It is believed that the chasm was considered by early Pagans to be a sacred place most likely due to the phenomenon that occurs on midsummer's day where the sun's light penetrates deep into the chasm. Lud is a major Celtic deity associated with many parts of Britain. A number of climbing routes have been pioneered during the 20th century but this is now discouraged to protect the lower plants that have colonised the damp rock-faces.

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The next LOTSW event is planned for December to celebrate Andrew's 'big birthday'.

Thanks for a great day out - yet again we avoided the rain!

Neil

Errwood Reservoir & The Beehive Inn at Combs

A good turnout on yet another sunny (and windy) day saw the LOTSW group (Andrew, David, Neil, Tony & Tony) meet up for coffee/biscuits at Tony W's and then a short drive to Errwood Reservoir. The walk was 7 mile route with a couple of hills (luckily the wind was behind us on the way up the hills). Some good views and the rain stayed off and we arrived in good time at the Beehive Inn for a pint of Copper Dragon and good food (and yes, fish and chips was on the menu).

The walk after lunch (with a hill straight away) was a bit slower but we were rewarded with good views again.

The end of the walk was along the side of Fernilee Reservoir. We were back at the cars by about three and then enjoyed a cup of tea at Tony W's before saying goodbye.

The next LOTSW is planned for September 2011 (probably in Derbyshire again) and the the highlight of the year, Andrew's 60th bash, is planned for December.

The Wirral

The LOTSW group were down to a 'gang of 4' (NG/ARW/AJS/DM) for the walk on the Wirral devised by David. A complex car operation was executed (Tony's car left at Neil's house, Neil's car left at David's house ...) and we all met at the pub at 10.00 for the obligatory coffee before heading off. Once again we were lucky with the weather and managed to avoid any rain (it did rain slightly while we were having lunch).


We all had a very pleasant walk along country lanes, old disused railway lines, the coastline of the Dee (tide was out) - we hardly saw a soul on the beach. We did see a wonderful display of 'swarming' from some birds that we think may have been terns (answers on a postcard please). David provided us with endless nostalgic stories as the whole walk was on his old stomping ground (ask him about after the rugby matches).

The walk, as usual, was rounded off with a fine pint of ale and a bite to eat (and yes, fish and chips were on the menu).


The next walk has been suggested for end May 2011 and a 'Doodle Poll' will be sent out for possible dates.


Thanks to David for a great walk.