Tegg's Nose - A Walk To The Forest 4th January 2014

A panorama of the walk to the forest - from Tegg's Nose car park.

Heading through the forest on the way to Charity Lane.

A decorated tree and Christmas Message from Northenden Walkers.

St. Stephen's Church, Forest Chapel.

Inside St. Stephen's Church, Forest Chapel.

A male Goldeneye Ridgegate Reservoir.

Tegg's Nose reflected in Bottom's Reservoir.

Walk stats: Distance: 7.2 miles. Climb: 1376'.

Time: 4 hours 34 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.0 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.6 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Roger and Celia.

Tegg's Nose as a start for a walk has the advantage that toilets are available, but has the disadvantage that most walks soon head downhill and that means uphill at the end of the walk!

Nevertheless it always means that walks as today are varied in terrain and views. Distant views at the start were good and Shutlingsloe and Sutton Common mast could be seen clearly.

 The surprise of the day was to come across a tree in the middle of the forest decked with Christmas decorations and a Christmas message from from Northenden Walkers. Thank you Northenden Walkers this must have cheered many walkers as the past by, it certainly brought a smile to our faces!

 At Chapel Forest, we did on this occasion go inside, and it too was still decorated with Christmas decorations, including an illuminated nativity scene just as you entered the church.

 Lunch was taken at the picnic site at Trentabank Visitor centre, and was perhaps the only time that some of the group had to put on an extra layer.

  As we approached Ridgegate Reservoir and Bottoms Reservoir, there was virtually no wind and delightful reflections of the opposite countryside could be seen in the water.

Birds seen or heard today included: European robin, Blue tit Coal tit, Carrion crow, Raven, Black-headed gull, Common blackbird, Mallard, Little grebe, Common coot and Goldeneye.

 After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Stamford Bridge, Tarvin, where the beers on offer were all brewed by Conwy Brewery. Whilst these beers were excellent, this is very much a place for meals and I felt that we were there under sufferance! This will be the first and last time that we visit there for after walk drinks!