St Paul's Rambling Group Heaton Moor

A ‘Flash’ is a lake formed by the land subsiding into old abandoned coal mines Pennington is the largest flash but there are numerous smaller lakes dotted around the region. 10 of our group assembled in the car park for a circular walk of 5.5 miles around the area which has now become a natural habitat for birds and other wild life as well as a playground for walkers, cyclists and yachtsmen. The first part of the walk took us along the banks of the flash, via a stop at a bird hide, to join the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. From here we followed the canal past the site of the former Bickershaw Colliery, now a marina, for about one mile before leaving the canal to join a path along a disused mineral railway. The next section of the walk crossed Lightshaw Meadows, a Nature Reserve, and then we detoured down to Lightshaw Flash to watch the birds and take a short break. From here we returned to Pennington Flash to walk along the banks of the lake and back to the car park. Afte...

On a fine Saturday morning, with sun promised later, 17 walkers assembled at the Egerton Arms in Chelford for the village walk. The first part of the route took us down the main road into the village where we then turned right to pass the livestock market, under the railway and into open fields. After crossing the Knutsford Road we continued through more fields to reach the sand quarry. Here the path crosses directly across the old sandpits and the landscape becomes more of a moonscape with barren wasteland and pools of water left from excavations. Leaving the sandpits we then walked through George Wood until we reached the Sand Pit Lake, an enormous lake created by previous workings of an old quarry. From here we crossed the Macclesfield Road and headed for the village of Astle. After crossing Bag Brook, we then traversed more fields to head for St John’s Church, the spire of which on the horizon made an excellent marker. From here we returned to the village and the Egerton Ar...

On a cold and frosty morning eleven of our members assembled on the car park at the Golden Pheasant in Plumley for a four mile circular ramble around the area. The route took us through Halford Moss, along past the old lime kilns and finally Halford Hall before returning to our start point at the Golden Pheasant. Here, seventeen of our members assembled for the real purpose of the day - Christmas Lunch and we enjoyed some excellent food in the true spirit of Christmas. Our thanks go to the landlord and his staff for their kind hospitality and to Judith and Mike for leading the walk and organising the lunch. Start Point - The Golden Pheasant Morning frost Holford Moss More of Holford Moss Crossing fields on route to Holford Hall Holford Hall Christmas lunch at the Golden Pheasant More pictures of Christmas Ramble

Due to other church commitments we only had four walkers last week end but undeterred we set out from Bollington for a 5 mile circular walk around the local area. We joined the Middlewood Way in fine weather but very shortly the drizzle came, followed by rain, followed by heavy rain. By this time we were thoroughly drenched and to add to our problems we had missed a turning and had gone too far along the trail. Fortunately a bridge provided shelter while we regrouped and enjoyed morning coffee. After studying the map and the rain clouds we decided to return direct to Bollington via the Macclesfield canal. The Bollington circular had now become the Bollington Rectangle but we had an enjoyable ramble and by the time we reached our start point the rain had stopped and we finished the trail in fine weather. Afterwards we adjourned to the Vale Inn where we had an excellent lunch in company with other members of our group who had been unable to come on the walk. Morning coffee on the Mi...

On a fine autumn morning six of our members set off on a 7 mile circular walk from the village of Gawsworth in Cheshire. Passing the picturesque church and the old hall we were soon in open fields heading towards the Macclesfield Canal.  We than followed the canal down to Bosley before swinging west to the village of North Rode.  From here the route turned northwards across open fields and return to Gawsworth. The walk concluded with a visit to the Harrington Arms for liquid refreshment. Setting off from Gawsworth Autumn colour Swing bridge on Macclesfield Canal Lunch stop at Bosley Lock North Rode Manor fish pond Highland cattle Crossing field on route to Gawsworth Gawsworth Hall Lake

Pictures from our last walk in Delamere Forest. Eddisbury Old Pale Urchin's Kitchen Urchin's Kitchen Willington

Ten members of our group set off from the Strid Wood Car Park on the Bolton Abbey estate for a walk along the Warfe Valley. The weather was wet at the outset but it quickly improved and most of the walk was completed in the sunshine. Outwards we followed the path along the river which took us to the village of Appletreewick where we arrived just in time for an excellent lunch in the Craven Arms. The return journey was along the north bank of the river finishing back at the car park and a welcome cup of tea in the Pavilion Tea Room. An enjoyable walk of about six miles and our thanks go to Gordon for leading this ramble.  Outside the Craven Arms Barden Bridge Homeward bound Ice cream break Afternoon break River Warfe Warfedale On the road