Friday May 17th
The Three Peaks of Cheshire
As we still had the detailed route description and map from the previous sponsored walk (on behalf of Francis House Children's' Hospice), we decided do the Cheshire 3 "Peaks" on a sunny Sunday.
The start at Tegg's Nose- the first of the peaks- was very civilised, with a coffee shop and various baked goods of the highest quality on offer (supplied by Flour Water Salt of Macclesfield). The first two miles of the route are along the Gritstone Trail, with a distant view of the other two peaks.
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| Objectives in the distance- Shining Tor (in the shadows) and Shutlingsloe |
We passed two reservoirs before the pleasant walk to Trentabank Reservoir Ranger Centre and certainly on a sunny May morning it felt like a very enjoyable amble. From Trentabank, the next focus was on Shutlingsloe and the walk up through the forest, past a florally decorated bench and across the slabbed path.
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| Florally decorated bench |
We passed a number of very black sheep who seemed quite unperturbed by all the walkers.
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| We were definitely on her territory! |
The final ascent to the top of Shutlingsloe is steep but enjoyable, giving great views of the way that we'd already come.
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| On the way up Shutlingsloe |
We stopped and had lunch at the top. A couple of runners arrived as we were about to depart and one turned out to be the woman who had sold Jacinta her trainers that had served her so well on the Perth 10 Mile Run. We made our way down the steep path to the bottom. There was a little indecision about which way to go at this point, but all was resolved quickly and it was a lovely stroll to the farmyard at Clough House. All around were sheep and their lambs making a very impressive amount of noise, including from a herd being moved by a team of shepherds and a couple of diligent boarder collies.
From here, it is a familiar walk up Cumberland Brook to the (eventual) level ground leading to The Cat and Fiddle. The journey up the brook was interrupted by meeting a walker who had rescued a newborn lamb (without a mother).
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| Nearing the level ground leading to The Cat and Fiddle Shutlingsloe in the background |
After the emotional hiatus of meeting the motherless lamb, it was good to reach the pub (now a distillery) and even better to be able to go in and buy a can of cold drink.
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| The Cat and Fiddle |
The way up to Shining Tor was easy enough and the only trauma on this leg was passing a lost bunny minding a gate on the way.
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| Bunny with a relaxed attitude minding the gate |
We stopped for a welcome break at the top of Shining Tor, enjoying, as ever, the views far and wide.
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| The trig point on Shining Tor |
Our memory of the last third of the walk was that it was on the boring side, but we both agreed that, in fact, it was more varied and enjoyable than we had remembered. After the Francis House walk's third checkpoint there was a rather narrow section of road along Hooleyhey Lane.
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| Checkpoint three! |
On the way to Walker Barn we threaded our way though a herd of slow-moving cows after which the last section of the walk up to the A537 Cat and Fiddle Road was pleasantly undulating. Jacinta stopped to commune with the last ewe and her lambs on the way- less intimidating than cows.
We were happy to reach the sign for Tegg's Nose Visitor Centre as it meant that there was jus half a mile to go. A mention must be made of Walker Barn Methodist Church which is tiny and old. It's a shame that it is now closed.
It may have taken longer than on previous occasions, but it's a great walk and quite uplifting to achieve. Home to inari pockets which David made and they were just right at the end of a long day.
A walk of 10.7 miles with 830m ascent.
