And so to today's real walk!
This had been, for me, one of the best days on LeJog (see Day 43, Friday 10th June!) though I didn't have time then to go wandering off-piste! Recounted much of Buxworth's history in Additional Photos & Comments - Day 43 companeros! (see above) but not, strangely, how Bugsworth became Buxworth!
Parked at the 'Navigation Inn', the only surviving canal-side pub in the area & couldn't resist getting off to a good start...!
Beer of the Day : 'Tennis Elbow' from the Phoenix brewery in Rochdale
Pale, light, clear with hoppy flavours! 4.5% & very drinkable - enjoyed this!
Coincidently, the 'Navigation Inn' was once owned by Pat Phoenix of Coronation Street fame but that has nothing to do with the name of the brewery
Formerly the Oak Brewery, its name was changed when it moved into the old Phoenix Brewery premises in 1991
The original brewers were declared bankrupt in 1939 when all their equipment was sold off to help the war effort!
The Navigation has been a pub for over 200 years & is a listed building.... only appropriate as it sits upon a designated Ancient Monument!
The only well-dressing we've come across which reflects the tradition's Pagan origins
The landlady told us that there used to be many more but the modern trend has been towards using Biblical themes.... which is why, over the last few years they've deliberately adopted Pagan images
Another one for the collection!
Wandered along here on LeJog before climbing to Rushup Edge & a fierce sleet shower!
About 20 degrees too warm for that today!
On top of Eccles Pike &, in time-honoured tradition, Les cut my feet off!
.... so I reciprocated!
At just over 1200' Eccles Pike isn't particularly high but it's easy to climb & the views are brilliant!
More energetically, the hill hosts one of the oldest of all fell races which starts & finishes at.... The Navigation Inn!
The record time is 19 minutes 26 seconds, marginally quicker than Les & I managed to do it.... in one direction!
A handy topograph on a commemorative plaque makes identifying surrounding features a little easier!
Top photo is of the rather higher Chinley Churn (another walk!) &, above, Toddbrook Reservoir, another LeJog landmark
View to the east & that is Rushup Edge & a superb walk leading to Lord's Seat, Mam Tor & the Great Ridge
More on Whaley Bridge next time but space for what I think is a bizarre Coronation Street coincidence!
Betty Driver (actress) was once landlady of 'The Cock Inn' here - I wonder if she stocked ales from the Phoenix Brewery!?
This well-dressing depicts stained glass from nearby Kettleshulme's Methodist Church & was sponsored by that village
LeJog watchers may remember it from the 'old people playing' sign!
Dressing dedicated to the memory of Irene Osborn, founding member of the village well-dressing group
Born in Buxworth, she also founded the Whaley Bridge Art Society & Horwich End W.I.
Main Canal Basin Dressing
Very colourful & intricate design - as good as any we've seen so far!
At the Church of St James, Buxworth.... just along the lane from the Navigation's Pagan Year
Les popped in here to visit their Flower Festival while I headed back to the pub & another bout of 'Tennis Elbow'!
So, how did Bugsworth become Buxworth?!
Some residents felt the old name was unattractive & their cause was championed by two local worthies: the vicar & the school headmaster
Result: Bugsworth became Buxworth on 16th April 1930.... despite the original name being traceable back to Norman times ('Bucga's Enclosure')
Modern residents (including Edwina Currie) were balloted in 1999 & elected to retain the 'new' name.... but, actually, locals refer to the place as 'Buggy' & that's probably what matters!
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