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All day moderate woodland, riverside and canal paths walk with some minor road walking from Reddish Vale Country Park along the Trans Pennine Trail, Midshires Way and the Etherow-Goyt Valley way to Vernon Park, along the river Goyt to Chadkirk, with it's ancient chapel (lunch stop) and returning via the Peak Forest canal (please bring a torch if you are claustrophobic as the canal enters a dark tunnel of at least 100 yards at one point!) finishing by passing through the 16 arch railway viaduct over the River Tame. 10 miles (approx). Leader Stephen 01204 395901 or mobile on the day 07761 453349. Pub stop afterwards (TBA). Meet 10:30am at Reddish Vale Country Park near Stockport. Leave M60 at Junction 24. Turn Right, follow signs to Denton A57-Manchester city centre. Turn left after approx 1 mile at lights (Aquatech Dive centre on corner) into Reddish Lane (B6167). Continue on, passing Fir Tree pub on right and passing both Reddish North and Reddish South railway stations on left. Shortly after, turn left into Reddish Vale Road. Go as far as the road takes you, turn right at T-junction, then left over cattle-grid into car park. Spaces before and behind visitor centre with toilets. Map Explorer 277 (Manchester + Salford) NGR SJ904934.
Sunday 23rd November Winter Hill by The Back Door.
Thursday 18th December Christmas Meal at the Willows,
Sunday 28th December Four Hamlets. Thursday 8th January 2009 JD Wetherspoons Curry Night at the Sir Henry Tate, Chorley. Social get together for a meal and a pint at inexpensive levels. 7:30pm. Please note that it is vital to book for this event, contact Barbara on 01257 253830 or mobile 07502 094442 or Roy.
Sunday 1st February 2009 Calder and Hebble Navigation.
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| Cauliflower and Cheese Soup Prawn Cocktail Gamekeeper's Pate Breaded Mushrooms |
Roast Turkey Sea Bass with A Citrus Butter Sauce Beef Madallions in Red Wine Sauce Pumpkin Bourguignon (Veg) |
Christmas Plum Pudding Spicy Rhubarb and Ginger Crumble Raspberry Cheesecake |
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Autumn Variety
Fortunately we had fine weather for the Brock and Calder Valley in September and the Huncoat Trail Fourth Anniversary in October. However, when it came to set off from Chris's house at Bowness for School Knott and Brant Fell the forecast was horrid, heavy rain and gales!! In the event we got off lightly, though it was a dull damp day no real rain arrived until about 3:30pm and we were soon in a warm kitchen enjoying tea, scones and banana cake.
Mixed fortunes in the Forest.
10 Roamers assembled at the Quernmore Jubilee Tower on 17th August for Bob's walk in the Forest of Bowland.
It was dry and clear although rather cloudy when they set off over Tarnbrook Fell. The stone shelter overlooking the stream provided an excellent lunch stop. On the trackless tussocky wilderness of the ridge heavy rain and mist rolled in and lasted whilst the ridge peat bogs were negociated but by the time the summit of Ward's Stone was attained it had fined up and the views over Morecambe Bay proved rewarding. Even more pleasing though was the conviviality of the Fleece Inn afterwards!
World's End walk into Eternity.
On 6th July a small party of Roamers travelled to the Horse Shoe Falls in the Vale of Llangollen and set off to explore the railway and canal in glorious weather passing on the way a fabulous sculpture of a giant stainless steel harp outside the entrance to the Eisteddfod. On reaching the town of Llangollen the heavens opened but it was not as bad as the tornado that day at Southport! Soon, on the ascent of Castle Dinas Bran the sun was back out and a splendid lunch stop was held in the castle ruins atop the hill. Then it was onto the Offa's Dyke Path to find World's End but it was a hell of a long way. Two gave up and short circuited the route but they were saviours in the end coming back with transport to meet the remainder of the group in the ruins of Valle Crux Abbey having accomplished 11 miles in hot sunshine!
Scout Scar walk a delightful doddle.
17 Roamers met at Newlands in Levens village on the lovely sunny morning of 15th June. Ian and Christine shared the leading helping each other to guide us through Levens Deer Park and along the River Kent to the wobbly suspension bridge. We had to cross this twice to reach the break stop on the riverside and then resume the walk route through Low Wood and past the old gunpowder works, stopping for lunch in the shelter of Scroggs Wood. Then it was up the hill over the disused racecourse to the airy summit of Scout Scar with its unique mushroom shelter/view indicator. After an afternoon break here it was mostly downhill over Helsington Barrows to Sizergh Castle and back through the woods to Levens. Advertised as at least 10 miles it turned out an easy 12.4! But no one minded because gallons of tea and heaps of scones etc were on offer afterwards in Ian and Christine's garden.
First of the Summer Wine walk heavy going but fun.
11 Roamers gathered in Holmfirth on 13th April in pouring rain. Some difficulty was encountered in finding a long stay car park but soon all were donning boots and waterproofs. We set off up the hill out of town and the rain stopped! It was never a brilliant day weatherwise and the going underfoot was heavy with slippy mud but we all enjoyed the introduction to the hidden charms of the Holme Valley area. We went through Hepworth to the Mount, Snow Gate and Fulstone meeting a large Russian tank on the way!
Keswick - Scafell Weekend proves a great success.
A most enjoyable time was had by our party who stayed in Keswick over the weekend of 4th to 6th April. The Bed and Breakfast booked by BowBabe Pauline was excellent and the evening meals booked by Roy delightful. Friday evening we dined in the Bank Tavern in Keswick and on Saturday night we drove out to the Swinside Inn in the Newlands Valley.
Dire weather forecasts in the days running up had been very dis-heartening but 9 walkers set off on Saturday morning to ascend Englands highest ground! The day started bright, dry and cool, quite ideal conditions really. We ascended the magnificent waterfall gorge beside Taylorgill Force and followed the stream up to Styhead Tarn. On the Corridor Route the sun started to come out but then soft hail showers blew in like polystyrene granules occasionally blocking out part of the view. Lunch was consumed on Lingmell col before the final 750 feet push to the summit of Scafell Pike where the views were mostly good including the Isle of Man standing out clearly.
 We descended via Esk Hause and Grains Gill still with sunny periods but in the last hour relentless sleet and snow set in and dampened our gear and spirits. Looking back we saw the world where we had just spent a lovely day transformed into deep white winter! Sunday's forecast had improved somewhat over the original outlook and the morning was bright and dry although all the mountains were white half way down their flanks. Therefore it was a pleasant start for the 7 who climbed Castlehead Wood to the Derwentwater viewpoint.
 The lake and mountain scenery were brightly resplendent so optimistically we pressed on up Walla Crag. When low cloud, mist and snow closed in we thought it was just a brief shower but sadly after that it never mended. We stopped briefly to admire Ashness Bridge though the classical backdrop of Skiddaw was not visible before sitting down to lunch at Surprise View overlooking the lake. The return to Keswick was via Great Wood and Friars Crag.
Stuff about the Morecambe Bay Tidal Bore.
19 Roamers assembled by the stone jetty at Arnside at 10:15am on Sunday 9th March with a tide prediction of 10 metres.
On Easter Sunday 23rd March 11 Roamers again met at the stone jetty at 10.00am but shortly transferred to nearer the coastguard station where the river channel is now narrower and which local information suggested might provide the best view. A cold North wind blew down the estuary and we huddled against the wall as the appointed time drew near. The tide prediction was 9.5 metres at 12:15pm and Roy reckoned the bore would come any time from 10:15 until 11:00. The new siren sounded and this was quite promising. Yes, we could see it coming, a white line advancing from far out at sea. It reached Arnside at 10:45am and with the wind lifting under it formed a 12 inch high roller as it swept past us at 12 knots!
So it proved a successful outing for the intrepid bore spotters who afterwards proceeded to make the most of the bright dry weather and enjoy a walk over Warton Crag to Hawes Water, Silverdale, Jack Scout and Jenny Brown's Point. Lunch stop was on the commanding benches overlooking Leighton Hall with views across the estuary to Grange-over-sands and the mountains beyond.
This tide and bore business is not a precise science? May be we will go to see one again sometime? But other than storm tides that severe weather might bring in there will not be another truly high tide now until the Autumn.
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This small walking group started in April 2007 and is aimed at couples and ex-Northern Linkers as a distinct and separate entity from the singles scene. We have had a very successful start and already enjoyed a number of lovely walks and social events.
Our walks are not intended to compete with or replace “Northern Link” walks but merely complement them by offering another choice of walking opportunity with smaller numbers and a relaxed atmosphere in which both couples and individuals can feel equally at ease. It is a natural development for people who have successfully paired off to evolve away from the mainstream singles scene preferring to avoid the obligation of chatting to new-comers whilst still wanting to maintain the friendships they have made and enjoy the pleasure of walking together as a social group.
I believe that “Northern Link” should primarily cater for genuinely unattached people. For it to continue to flourish it ought to give its members every chance of meeting someone special themselves without mixing too much with people who are unavailable.
You do not necessarily have to be a couple to join "Roy's Roams" but new members are only welcome by personal invitation from Roy or accompanied introduction by an existing member bringing a partner, relation or close friend.
Attendance will incur no obligation or permanent membership and participants will not be expected to support every walk or carry a membership card.
The basic itinerary of Roy’s Roams offers at least one walk every month usually on a Sunday with a fairly wide variety of locations, grades and distances although all day walks requiring packed lunches are the norm. However, if members are available mid week, Saturday, half day or evening walks are possible. There is also a sprinkling of evening social events like meals out.
If you would like to receive further information please contact Roy and say what is the best way of keeping in touch. If possible provide an email address that you use. If you want to make any suggestions or contributions about the walks or their organisation then please feel free to do so.
Needless to say you will join these walks at your own risk, myself or other walk leaders cannot take any responsibility for your personal safety, loss or damage howsoever caused.
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