Words by Pete, Photos by Butty & Pete
Crew : TJ, Butty , Pete
Pub: Dunc
Route : Bridge 10 – Pott Shrigley – Bakestonedale Rd – Grit Stone Trail – Bowstones – Birchencliffe – Canal – The Windmill
Conditions : Cooling fast , thankfully no rain
Notes :
After last week’s magnificent 7 (swelling to the Dirty Dozen in the pub) we are back down to the cheeky northern threesome.
No matter, a small, but perfectly formed crew .
It is a night of firsts :
- First time we muster at Bridge 10 (Middlewood Way)
- First time (for me at least) we dine and quaff at The Windmill after a TNR
- First time (in a while) we have TJ leading on the route choice
We are all layered up for the expected cool evening – but by the time we get to Pott Shrigley I had to shed some layers .
We wind our way up to where the Gritstone Trail crosses the road and pause a while just inside the gate.
Luckily we are all gazing up at the stars when a shooting star graces the heavens – I take it as a good omen that we all catch a glimpse.
We stopped by the “1974 Stone” to take in the sky and the glittering treasure of the Cheshire plain beneath us .
Quite a photogenic spot but Butty was getting cold so we had to push on .
Over the ladder style at Bowstones and we hear our first bellowing stag – a kind of cross between a loud shout and a burp.
Our head torches pick out loads of pairs of eyes , and the odd fine pair of antlers.
After the investigation of a small but slippy quarry we push on back towards the Windmill .
The tussocky route and ladder styles which take you back to Birchencliffe “keep you honest”, as Butty says , this is no slack ride.
We get to the windmill by 8.45 – Butty was spot on with his predication
Good service. No chips for Pete ! Two fish pies and a soup
Bosley Cloud, red ale & a wee whisky
But not for Dunky – just beer for the lad who is , as I type this, part way through a 26 mile night time marathon (running) circuit of the peaks with Biggus Nikkus, Respect .
Another fine evening and home by midnight