Great English Walk Day 14 - 30 March 2018

Mow Cop to Ipstones Edge
Walking 9am to 7pm
Distance walked today 17 miles
Distance walked so far 217 miles 
Distance left 367 miles

The rain that had persisted yesterday and through the night had cleared by this morning. As we walked the sun was trying to show itself.

We walked along the ridge by the viewpoint called Cheshire's Close, also on the route of the Staffordshire Way and the Gritstone Trail. Leaving the road, the path led up to Nick i' th' Hill and we made our way down to the former railway cycle way above Biddulph. Here we chatted to Christine about the walk and she told us of her circular walk she was doing today. Only a minute later I turned to see a five pound note being thrust in my direction as a donation from Elaine and John who had been told about my walk by Christine! They are both keen walkers and Elaine had received a kidney transplant. Thank you both. As we parted, Elaine gave me a bear hug. I remarked that that was the second hug I'd received in the last few days so she promptly gave me another and, for good measure, Mike received one as well. Elaine and John - both lovely people and I wished we could have talked longer, especially as they are past TGO Challengers, as I am. I'm sure we have mutual acquaintances.

Just after Biddulph Moor, a path out of a farmyard was impassable due to ankle deep mud and worse so we took to the quiet lanes for some easy walking. At Denford we stopped at the Hollybush Inn for refreshment, a lovely setting by the Caldon Canal, bringing back memories of a family holiday on a boat many years ago. We walked along the canal towpath into Cheddleton.

A little later another impassable path forced us on to the lanes again. After a while it started to rain and we decided it wasn't going to stop so I asked at a farm for shelter and we are pitched in the garden. Quite windy and it's still raining.