Covid Compliant Echelons: Slim, TJ, Lee, 3 Sheds, Dunc, Troll, Stunt, Croxy
Route: RB, Middlewood way, Grimshaw Lane, Jackson Lane, Redway Lane, “under Nancy”, back of Kerridge to Waulkmill wood, Poachers Snicket, Oakenbank, Jumper Lane, Blaze Hill, the Kettleshulme Road, Bakestonedale road, Gritstone trail, 1975 Stone, Sponds, Dale Top, Quarry Descent, Birchencliffe, Stypersons, Sugar Lane, Vale, Backgardens of Bollingtonia
Conditions: Clear and dry – cold later.
Notes:
A decent showing for another fine spring evening, although route planning leadership was in short supply!Good to see Croxy back, but only because his back was not up to golf!
Meeting at Rainbow bridge, we were passed by many familiar faces en route to the newly opened beer gardens! Our beer plan was Bring Your Own, with a later checkout of the Vale beer garden and a fall back of Slim’s firepit.
With the Troll running a little late we head back along the Middlewood to RV with him, then climb on road up to Redway, and do a little detour to the back of Kerridge before heading up the Poachers snicket, and up Oakenbank from that end.
A lot of debate about route, but in the end we head for Sponds via the “high roads” and having sorted out chip shop options for later on the way, crest Bakestondale road to a glorious low sun! The more speedy managed to make the 1975 stone for a sun setting over beer can pics!
View is stunning, but temperatures are falling fast, and with a bit of wind its all layers on!
With beer comes banter, and this weeks topic somehow ends up with the Bristol Stool Chart! The stuff being freshly spread last week is still mildly whiffy 7 days later, but the conditions are super dry, not sure if the crunching under wheel on the way to Dale top was a touch of frost, or crispy dried exrement!!
The hill sheep mostly yet to lamb. Singing gate mildy tuneful tonight. The Quarries descent has not yet got a new line where the Deer fenced plantation has encroached, but it won’t be long!
Fast downhill on dry grass! Just the one splash to face in Birchencliffe, and then choice of Left Hand Snicket or Right Hand Hazards in Stypersons to bottom out on Sugar Lane.
Early leavers peeled off back to the Middlewood, and those in search of on Tap ale carried on to the Vale and beyond.
next week Southern Banditry let by the Troll!