Sue and Martin in Mallorca 2019

Sue and Martin in Mallorca 2019
On the Archduke's Path in Mallorca

Tuesday, 15 July 2025

Friday 11 to Sunday 13 July 2025 - Deepest Cheshire and a couple of runs



On Friday evening, Sue and I met Andrew and Graeme at Andrew's Cheshire mansion, for a 4.5km stroll from his rural front door.

It's still close enough to midsummer for the daylight to persist until after 10pm, so there was no time pressure for our dawdle through the long grass bordering the fields that in many places are fenced so close to the edge of the rights of way that you have barbed wire on the field side, and very little space to the lush vegetation on the other side.

The best bit of path tonight was that through a field of crops to the lone tree pictured above.

Before that, a rickety stile pointed us through prickly, stingy undergrowth.


A secluded pond was passed before open fields under the unseen watch of Jodrell Bank's telescopes.




The field of hay near Jones's Wood would have been easier on the mown side of the fence, but it was impractical to escape from that side.



Anyway, we were back at Andrew's in time for a welcome beer in his garden, before returning home after the very pleasant evening. Thanks to Andrew for hosting, and here's our route.


Saturday dawned warm and sunny for Wythenshawe parkrun number 625.  There were 61 volunteers today, many of them being pacers at a variety of different times for the 449 runners and walkers. Winston Runners and Dragon Running Club have to be thanked for that. Many of these club members, incuding the Winstons pictured below, are regulars here, as is Run Director Charlie, who is imminently getting married, hence the Tutus.


The start line seemed even longer than usual.


We soon spread out.


By the time the football pitches were reached after 1.5km, my walking pace saw me with a big gap to the people ahead.


The advantage of walking (I took 39:36 in position 387) is that I have good friends who have a coffee waiting for me at the end, by which time Sue had finished in position 134 and had left already to go bellringing.



Saturday lunchtime saw us collecting 'I' for a sleepover, but first a return to Wythenshawe Park for a half hour ride on Truffles. Sue had Inky on this occasion.


Heather had also arrived for a sleepover in our dining room, and whilst 'I' continued her French studies and others relaxed, I attended Sunday morning's Wythenshawe Community Run. Just 51 of us set off around the track. I started last as usual, but caught up with a few folk before finishing the 5km in 31:08, rather more quickly than the previous day!



Sometimes Fechin, in his day a class athlete, is even slower than me. Old age taking its toll!

Friday, 11 July 2025

Thursday 10 July 2025 - GM Ringway Trail Stage 8 - Broadbottom to Greenfield



On a hot sunny day, only Jeanette was missing from our original team of eight who plan to complete the 200 mile GM Ringway walk by the end of the year. Jeanette has been told she can only walk on the flat, so today's ascent statistic of around 700 metres foiled her wish to attend. Hopefully she will catch up, as will any of the others who have missed stages.

We soon left the roads as we ascended from Broadbottom on private roads and narrow lanes. A panoramic view incorporating Longdendale soon opened up. Click on these pictures for a better version/slideshow.



The Roman Fort of Melandra Castle will have to wait.


This friendly goat would I'm sure have swallowed anything it could lay its teeth on.


Two 'team' pictures were taken from the same point, in different directions (see header for the other one). Some bright spark (probably Roger) quipped "better take one now as we may not stay together".


Nice paths led gently uphill.


An elevenses break was taken, near good views down to Arnfield Reservoir and Glossop.


On we marched, into open country, gradually ascending to the high point of the entire GM Ringway route - a shade over 500 metres.


En route we (I) made a navigational error as we thought we were supposed to go straight ahead at a lone tree (Step 34 in the Stage notes). "The description is wrong" I concluded. However, reading it again in the clear light of day, the step by step description is accurate, albeit the wording of Steps 34 and 35 could be improved to avoid the error I made.


We continued on a lovely narrow path to the head of a valley where Sue spotted a stream and declared "lunch".



She then stripped off and took her mug of tea down to the stream for a bit of splashing about, returning with the news that it was a nice skinny dip, but her knickers had fallen into her mug of tea. Hmmm.

First signs of Viv's illness

The Rosebay Willowherb is coming into flower just now, and soon the moorland will look wonderful when the heather blooms.


During our lunch break it became clear that Viv was unwell. After lunch I reached the high point with Sue, Paul and Rick. Looking back, it looked as if Viv, ushered by Roger, would take up to another hour to reach this point. Rick had maps, so they continued as a threesome whilst I stayed to guide the other three, who had no maps, ("it's Martin's walk, he'll have maps"). Fair enough.

Roger and Viv eventually reached the high point, beyond which a tiring yomp over very rough ground drew us slowly closer to the Chew Valley escarpment path. We should have stayed to the left rather than trying to cut off a corner.


Once on the escarpment path, views towards our destination opened up, with Dove Stone Reservoir now in sight.



We met a mountain biker on the rocky escarpment path. No helmet, silly man. Chew Reservoir, when we reached it, looked rather short of water.


We had seen vehicles on our route ahead, and Sue, Rick and Paul could be seen high up on an alternative but more demanding route than the one down the road. Here was the reason - nine months of work on an overflow channel from a nearly empty reservoir.


By the time we reached the dam the vehicles had gone and work for the day had clearly finished, so we walked down the road. This was fortunate as I don't think Viv would have been able to manage the alternative route. Meanwhile a rescue helicopter was practising landing in a spot on our path where a few minutes earlier it could have been most useful for Viv. But we had decided not to make the call. Viv was nauseous and unable to eat or drink, but she was able to stumble on between frequent rests.


We walked down the empty road above Chew Brook, whilst the helicopter continued its exercises.



After a while we left the road at a gate and crossed the river via a sturdy bridge. Beyond this, views opened out ahead towards Greenfield and beyond.


Some of the heather was already in bloom.



The contouring path follows the course of a light railway or tramway that was used in the early 20th Century during the construction of the reservoir. It ducks in and out of woodland and is a lovely part of this stage's route. (See here.)



Dove Stones Reservoir was passed, but Viv declined the opportunity to descend to the car park as we were getting quite close to Greenfield. She felt she could get there, albeit with frequent rests.



Greenfield was now very close, and soon after the signpost pictured below, we emerged onto a quiet lane - Intake Lane - that led past posh housing with lots of 'Private' notices.



After crossing the main A635 road to Manchester, we returned to a woodland path that led over the River Tame and then up to Greenfield station, greeted by Viv with immense relief.

Here's our route - about 21km with 700 metres ascent, taking over 7 hours. Sue, Rick and Paul were a good hour ahead of us, despite taking an extra half hour or so by virtue of the diversion they faced at Chew Reservoir.


We now have a four week break (catch-up time) to Thursday 7 August, when the 'flier' for stage 9 is:
GM Ringway Trail - Stage 9 - Greenfield Station to Newhey. Meet at 10:22 at Greenfield Station for this ninth 21km stage of the 20 stage circuit of Greater Manchester.
Arrive on the 10:00 from Piccadilly to Greenfield.
Return by Metrolink service from Newhey. 

Later: on Friday 11 July, Viv reported that she was feeling much better. Hopefully she will soon be fully recovered.

Monday 7 July 2025 - WirrOrleans Jazz Band at Eagley Jazz Club



The WirrOrleans Jazz Band

Another great night of Jazz at Eagley, with the band from the Wirral featuring (L-R):
Howard Worthington (bass), guest John Hallam (reeds), making a welcome return, John Blackman (drums), Phil Lucas (trumpet), Andrew MacKenzie (trombone & vocals) and Mal Horne (guitar and banjo).

A great evening, fantastic value for a tenner, and happily very well attended, the failed 'lunchtime' experiment having been consigned to history.