Day 47 - Macclesfield to Buxton - 14.3 miles
The weather forecast for the day didn't bode well with rain for most of the day.
With a shorter walk planned for the day, I had time after breakfast to have a look around the town in the daylight.
After popping in to the Town Hall to have a look at an exhibition by East Cheshire arts society, and the obligatory coffee and cake - elevenses- I eventually set off.
On the long hill eastwards from the railway station it was good to see that the Coop had retained some attractive glass and faience tiles from the original building.
I eventually crossed the Macclesfield Canal. Built in the 1820s to connect to the Trent and Mersea canal near Sheffield.
Marian moved here from Romania 8 years ago. Originally in Essex his £650/month rent gave him a room in a shared house and shared bathroom. He moved to Manchester because for the same amount he was able to rent a whole house.
Marian has succesfully navigated the post Brexit EU Settlement scheme and is now hoping to apply for a UK passport and is revising British history for the citizenship test. Good luck and all the best Marian.
that's the one on the left....
In Langley they seem to have all their useful amenities in one spot
As I passed Bottoms Reservoir,
I met a group of walkers
They organise weekly walks, are really fit and were setting a cracking pace. Sam is a really keen Manchester United supporter and was sporting a selection of their latest kit. Khorram enjoys tv soaps and comedy series - Only Fools and Horses is one of his favourites.
Tom's wire haired German pointer was enjoying the walk too!
They were all off to St Stephen's church at the top of the hill for a picnic lunch.
Where our paths split, Tom mentioned that both roads led to the church and that I might get there before them. We went our separate ways. My road became incredibly steep and incredibly long, incredibly STEEP and incredibly LONG, incredibly..........
In the church, I was lucky to meet Audrey who was busily cleaning, polishing the brasses and generally looking after the place. She loves the church.
Audrey has been doing this since 1986 when she took over from her mother who had also looked after the church for years. At that time, the church had no power or water so her mother would carry all that was necessary across the fields from the Cat and Fiddle.
Audrey also prepares the church flowers for the main festivals of the year.
Because of its remote setting, Audrey explained that St Stephen's is proving a popular church for weddings and by squishing in 5 to a pew, they managed to get 150 people in on one occasion. They normally get 30 congregants for their monthly Sunday service.
My path led from the church directly to
Bottom.of the Oven.
and then on to a more exposed road up to the Cat and Fiddle.
As I walked up, the wind started picking up and I could see the rain coming in.
I might be wearing all the best gear there is but Rohan waterproofs and Meindl Austrian goretex boots are no match for High Peak Derbyshire rain. No chance!
On the descent into Buxton, I joined the Dane Valley Way and walked through Buxton Country Park
where I met this fine sculpture.
Eventually I arrived at the hotel in Buxton, still raining and there was time for a quick look around some of the lovely buildings before I checked in - dripping all over the carpet.
...before getting on her way to join me walking for the next week.
Total distance walked so far = 610 miles
Total ascent so far 72 871 feet
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email: david.LL.thomas@gmail.com
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If you'd like to contribute to any or all of the great charities I'm supporting, here are the relevant links.
Parkinsons UK - My dad had Parkinsons in his latter years and the research work this charity funds and the support it provides to patients and their families is invaluable. - https://www.justgiving.com/
Just Wheels UK - this is a small charity set up to provide wheelchairs in a rural community in Tanzania. It does this through funding training, education and the local fabrication and servicing of bespoke wheelchairs. My nephew uses a wheelchair and as he grows I can see the life changing freedoms that proper wheelchairs can bring to both users and their families.-
- RNLI - these are the brave guys who selflessly head out to sea to help others. I volunteer at Littlehampton RNLI shop and often meet families of those who’ve had first hand experience of their loved ones being saved from the sea. Having sailed for years I can say thankfully we’ve never had to call on the RNLI's services but it’s amazing what it does to know they are there
Sounds like your feet have recovered!
ReplyDeleteHi Mike, they're gradually being forced into submission! Either the boots are becoming the same shape as my feet or the worrying alternative!
DeleteI love the watercolors! So cool that you bring the paint, brushes and paper with you!
ReplyDeleteMonty 🐶 and I are looking forward to joining you and Sally on Saturday for 14 miles… now deemed a short walk 🙃😂 Pam
ReplyDeletePam, you and Duracell Superdog Monty would be welcome anytime. Monty always seems to show other dogs how to behave. Brilliant!
DeleteLike Mike I adore the series of watercolours you are doing. Do you make them as you see them, just draw and colour evgs or all from memory. I am full of admiration and as jealous as hell of your locomotor and artistic abilities! Robin C
ReplyDeleteHi Robin. On a shorter walk, I have time to stop and sketch. On the longer walks I get in about 7pm and only have time to have a beer and shower before supper and the sleep that follows pretty rapidly after that.
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