Sunday 28 February 2010

28th Hayfield & New Mills led by Chris H

28th Hayfield & New Mills led by Chris H http://picasaweb.google.com/stockportwalkingoutdoors/HayfielsAndNewMillsWalkLedByChrisH

28th Dovestones

28th Dovestones http://picasaweb.google.com/stockportwalkingoutdoors/Dovestones

29th: Family walk

29th: Family walk

Nineteen Adults and children started the walk from Nelsons Pit, Higher Poynton on Sunday 29/02/10.  Weather was cold but dry.  A short jaunt up to Lyme Park took us to the play park and the first stop of the day.  Setting off up the Grit-stone Trail we decided to stop for lunch at the end of the woods as the wind was starting to get up and did not want to stop for lunch on the top.  After lunch we headed up to Bow Stones and much fun was had in the last of the snow.  Good views of the snow covered Peaks and Kinder Scout could be seen.  Looking West the tops of Liverpool Cathedrals could just be made out on the horizon.  Heading along the ridge we dropped back down from Sponds Hill.  On the way down some were feeling a tired and cold from the adventures in the snow.  After stopping to have one tired child picked up at  West Park Gate, the rest of the group carried on to Green Farm and down to the canal where it was a flat walk back to the Car Park.  All told about 9km and total ascent of 250m.  Although I think some of the children covered 1-2km more running back and forth.

Sunday 14 February 2010

14th Sunday Hike

14th Sunday Hike

On  a bright sunny Sunday morning twelve members of SWOG plus two eager dogs set out at 10am from Compstall heading northwards for Werneth Low. Skirting the golf course we headed for the War Memorial monument before taking the balcony path below Piper's Clough to reach Windy Harbour. Refreshments were taken here in the midst of splendid views of Cown Edge and Kinder Scout. Our route then took us down Idle Hill to Lowend from whence lanes and a short road section saw us entering Great Wood, finally to emerge at the cottages at Hodgefold. After reaching Broadbottom (I wonder who it was named after?) we lunched at the circle of seats found by Sue & Geoff at Lymefield.

Our return  journey led us by Botham's Hall and Back Wood to emerge at Lumn. After a short but stiff climb we headed for and through Beacon Houses, taking in the panoramic views across the Etherow Valley as we stolled along. Soon the Mortin Clough path was taken down into the Etherow Country Park where a circuit of the hidden lake was taken (especially with Shelley and her dogs in mind, who had travelled over from Meltham to join us on the hike). We finally reached the busy Visitors Centre car park at 3.30pm. Everyone expressed their thanks for an enjoyable day out. As leader on the day I would like to thank all those who attended, and can honestly say I have never encountered so many dogs on a hike - we must have met a hundred, sometimes four or five dragging along one owner!

Les