Eight ramblers gathered for this 11-mile walk from Timbersbrook, and only three were lost along the way. The walk linked together some of my favourite stretches of path and some sections that were less familiar. The weather was a tad unkind to begin with but the mistiness soon gave way to the sun and all in all gave us a really pleasant day’s walking. It was muddy in places, but who cares about that at this time of year. Our visitors were lively and a lot of jovial banter ensued, which made this a most enjoyable ramble.
The Cloud
After taking in the Cloud (group photo) and then beyond, the alpacas and wallabies, we rounded Cloud Side, gazed quizzically at the tall seated wooden figure and then moved over to the Bridestones. This neolithic construction, re-assembled by archaeologists a hundred years ago is all that remains of what was once a massive monument. It was described in 1764 as being 120 yards long and 12 yards wide, containing three separate compartments. Over the years much of the stone was used in the construction of the road linking Leek and Congleton. Other stones were used to build the adjacent house and farm. My (minimal) research suggests that the tall, seated wooden figure is a sculpture by artist Thompson Dagnall, commissioned by Cheshire East Council's Ranger service as part of the Gritstone Trail.
We walked on to Park Head Farm, from where we dropped down towards Overton Hall before taking a rarely used path that led us at one point to clambering over what used to be a stone stile but now resembles a stone wall (issue has been reported to SCC). Onward, and past the Talbot and down Fold Clough/Lane to Bailey’s Bank. From here we went up through the woods to Nick i’ th’ Hill (lunch stop), along Congleton Edge Gritstone Trail and then almost along a beeline back via woodland and field paths to the cars.
Derek Lowe
Hairdo
Sitting for too long slows your metabolism
Homeward Bound
