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When? Started: 1993 Who? Started with staff and friends from U H S, Chester. Organiser: Martyn Harris We walk every Wednesday and Saturdays, New Years day and May Day. How many walk? Walks take place as long as there are at least 2 wanting to walk on that day. More walk on a Wednesday than on a Saturday. Most ever: 29. Current group size walking: 2-10 in mid-week and 2-4 on Saturday. Where do we walk? Saturday: Anywhere in North and Mid-Wales, Peak District, Shropshire and the Long Mynd and as far North as the Trough of Bowland. Thursday: Anywhere within about 40 miles of Chester. Type of walk: Distance: 6 – 14 miles (but usually under 10 miles). Climb: up to 4000’ (but usually very much less!). People involved on walks in 2020:- Martyn Harris, Fran Murphy, Sue and Michel Pelissier, Mike Dodd, David Savage, Wendy Peers, Celia de Mengle, Wendy and Ian Peers, Roger Smith, Paul Collinson, Ed Meads, Nigel and Elaine Taylor, Celia de Mengle, Sue Pearson.

Sunday 3 February 2008

Bosely, Sutton Common,Croker Hill and the Gritstone Trail 2nd February 2008

Looking to the Comminications tower on Croker Hill/Sutton Common.

Lunch time.

The view from the lunch spot.


Snowman in the making.

Saying goodbue to Mr. Snowman.

Walk stats: Distance: 12.1 miles; Climb: 2323'.
Time: 6 hours 10 minutes; Walking average: 2.4 m.p.h.; Overall walk average: 1.9 m.p.h.
Group: Martyn, Richard, Celia, Sue and Michel, Sylvia and Dave J., Fran and Tito.

The start point as originally planned, had to abandoned when the road leading to it was closed, presumeably due to snow/ice on the minor road concerned. This meant that we had to improvise and started the walk from a large layby on the A523 at Bosely. The walk had to be adapted as well, since this start point was nearly 2 miles from any point on the planned walk.
Undeterred we set off through the snow covered fields towards the dam on Bosely Reservoir.
Bright sunshine and blue skies was sufficient and the snow were enough to make you glad just to be out.
The adapted route took us through some beautiful picturesque valleys and along high field tops with magestic views in all directions. It also treated us to some rather boggy terrain that would test anyones boots to the limit of their waterproofness.
Lunch was taken in a sheltered spot with its picture postcard view looking towards Brooms Farm. After lunch Michel couldn't resist the temptaion of building a snow man.
The highlight of the walk was the ridge sections across Sutton Common, Croker Hill with its communications tower and then along the old road following the Gritstone Trail. White Nancy, Shutlingsloe, the Roaches and Boselt Cloud could all be seen in their finery dressed with snow.
Birds seen or heard today included: Magpie, Nuthatch, Robin, Greenfinch, Carrion crow, Great crested grebe, Coot, Mallard, Snipe (bird of the day for most), Grey wagtail, Kestrel, Buzzard, Blue tit, Grat tit, Jackdaw and Goldfinch.
This magnifenct day's walking in the East of Cheshire was topped with pint of the best bitter in the world (Whim' Hartington Bitter) at the Wilkes Head in Leek. We needed to return home this way to avoid the road works on the A54, and coincidently give us the chance to visit the Whim hostelry in Leek.
This is a walk we will have to do again, probaly from Danebridge/Wincle when there is no ice/snow on the ground.

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