Raining this morning and not a particularly good outlook for the day but it did look a bit brighter when The Walker set off. I spent a good hour trying to find campsites near tonight's stopping point but Crewe, Alsager and Sandbach are not really tourist areas. Eventually found one, though it's not ideal - in a forest full of rhododendrons but with very little internet connection!
I visited Dagfields Craft and Antique Centre, which looked pretty good when I first arrived with 4 or 5 massive buildings. Well, maybe it's just me but they seemed to be crammed full of items found at boot sales and I lost interest after the second barn! The only real craft I found was a group of ladies enjoying making cards and beaded items in a hobby-craft type of unit/shop. That looked like fun and I wished I could have joined in. I wasn't sorry to leave the glorified junk shops, though I am sure some people find them fascinating - I much preferred my walk along the canal this afternoon, especially as the threatened rain held off and the sun shone!
Canal above Lock 57
From Bernie:
Today's walk 18.4 miles : Cumulative 517.3 miles
The South Cheshire Way has a bit of a thankless task as it winds its way north-eastwards across farmland through an ever-narrowing corridor between Nantwich, Crewe & the M6 &, to be honest, it's not the most exciting walking I've ever done! I did know this, though, when I stood on Offa's Dyke opposite Chirk Castle & surveyed the plain I would have to cross. Its best bits are where it bumps into the canal network... but it doesn't set out to be a canal walk - there are plenty of those. Saddest are the areas where it appears to be deliberately neglected: an example today on the farmland around the smart Mickling Hall where every stile was damaged, missing pieces and, in some cases edged with barbed wire; or at Meremoor where a farmer's fire blocked access to the stile!
Moan over - but if you were thinking of doing the walk I wouldn't bother, it'll only irritate you!
Crossing the busy Shropshire Union Canal - not the same branch that we walked yesterday!
Met a sprightly, elderly man coming out of the Wrenbury Medical Centre just after starting this morning &, seeing me in shorts & light waterproof, he declared "You're dressed in a very bold fashion for today's weather, Sir!"
We chatted for a while - he wanted the rain for his garden! Lovely man - kept me bouncing along for, at least, the next 5 miles!
Beautiful Fishing Lake near Hough - looks like a flooded gravel pit
Highlight of the Day: Lock 57 at Hassell Green - a veritable oasis!
Arrived at the van slightly early, tired & thirsty, to find it deserted & locked! It was easier to ring Les than to scrabble around for my key in the bottom of my backpack & I discovered, (a) that she was up on the canal 'about 500 yards away', (b) the local pub had shut down but (c) she'd found a shop selling postcards.
Postcards have been like gold dust over the last week so I dragged my weary body up those 500 yards (knowing I'd have to walk back again!) & arrived at Lock 57: postcards galore, picnic benches, sunshine & they even sold me a can of ice-cold cider for £1.25! Perhaps it was a mirage!
Expedition Manager & Driver at 'Lock 57'!
Beer of the Day: 'Redwood' from the local Woodland Brewery in Nantwich - I missed the 'sharp, crisp aftertaste' that it claims but it's pleasant enough
Song of the Day (an occasional series!): there have been countless versions of the song '500 miles' & I own quite a few of them! My favourite? Judee Sill's.
Perhaps I should have gone for 'Pretty in Pink'! St. Philip's Church, Hassell Green
Hoping for good weather tomorrow: if it's clear we'll be headed for Mow Cop & The Gritstone Trail (back to the hills!); if cloudy then along the Cheshire Canal Ring.....
Aaaaaaaaaaargh! PINK!
ReplyDeleteLove Di
Hi Bernie
ReplyDeleteAs I don't really know you, I have gathered you like a drop of good ale. I wish could tell the difference, but being the son of a publican you might find that hard to comprehend and when I tell you I think all beer tastes terrible I am sure you will be horrified. Give me the real thing any day - COCA COLA lol.
You keep track of the miles you have covered, what about all the different ales you have tasted. Have you a favorite so far? Perhaps when you have finished Lejog you could compile a Land's End to John O'Groats Good Ale Guide. I have not checked up on you lately and was surprised how far north you had travelled. Thanks for thinking of me on a rainy day, out on the highest course. I don't know what course you might be passing in the days ahead. But Dornoch is 'the one' I am looking foward to seeing, as they say in golfing mags say how stunning the scenery is. The more I see of your photos I realise I have seen very little of our countryside. I know there are dull bits, however, you must find it very rewarding - well done and keep your eyes open for some more good pics. Your Logistics Managers input is also very enlightning.
I am interested to know what the best part of the walk has been so far? I hope the weather is kind to you both. Until next time. David