Trentabank Reservoir.
The start of the walk through the trees.
A good place to stop for elevenses, but it was a little too early.
On the paved path to Shutlingsloe.
Shutlingsloe "bagged" at last!
At the trig point on Shutlingsloe.
Shutlingsloe from the north east.
Descending on the Wildboarclough Path.
Shutlingsloe from the south east.
Cows on th run, but they slowed down by the time I got my camera ready.
"Just checking the green lid!"
On the path through Oaken Clough.
Looking over Oakenclough towars Shutlingsloe.
Tegg's Nose - out of favour today.
"Not more walkers disturbing me."
Walk stats: 8.8 miles. Climb: 1660’.Time: 5 hours 25 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.0 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.6 m.p.h.
Temperature: 17.2 Celsius at the start. 21.2 Celsius at lunch. 27.8 Celsius – mid-afternoon.
Beaufort Wind Force: 0 – 4. Mainly an intermittent light breeze, but once reached an 18 m.p.h. moderate breeze between Higher Nabbs and Lower Nabbs Farm..
Group: Martyn, Ed and Mike.
The lesson learned today was don’t use the SatNav to get to the Trentabank forest car park.
Arriving at the start, the temperature was a pleasant 17.2 Celsius but unfortunately the temperature continued throughout and by mid-afternoon it felt too warm for comfort whenever we were in the full glare of the Sun.
The route from Trentabank was well marked and plenty of walkers were already on their way down.
More stones had been laid on the ascent of Shutlingsloe than I remember, and some steps have been added (some quite challenging for walkers with short legs!).
We stayed briefly on the summit of Shutlingsloe, enough time to take the obligatory photos and decide what route we would take on the descent.
I took one look at the described descent and my recollection of doing once before and made the decision to descend the way I had gone up and take the Wildboarclough path around the eastern side of Shutlingsloe.
As we contoured around Piggford Moor we met a group young women, when one of them recognised me and called out my name. It turned out to be an ex-pupil, Ruth Everitt from UHS. One of the others like Mike was going to do the Three Peaks in July.
By now it was just after 12-00, so we were keen to find somewhere in the shade to stop for lunch. Just after Greenway Bridge we found a few trees that at least sheltered us from the direct Sun’s rays.
We decided to extend the walk slightly by following the Gritstone Trail towards Ridgegate Reservoir rather than just following the road.
Distant views were very hazy, but at least it didn’t threaten to rain.
Everyone was happy to miss out Tegg’s Nose and go straight to the Trentabank Car Park.
We arrived back at the cars, grateful to be able to take our boots off and wipe our face and neck with a cloth soaked in cold water!
Birds seen or heard today included: Woodpigeon, Willow warbler, Common pheasant, Mallard, Barn swallow, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Common blackbird, Goldfinch, Skylark, Meadow pipit, Canada goose, Carrion Great cormorant and Common kestrel.
At times this was an enjoyable walk, but the oppressive heat toward the end marred the overall feeling about the walk. At least Ed managed to “bag” Cheshire’s highest hill!
We all went directly home and arrived just after 17-15 and the thunder and rain started at 17-55, and it was still raining heavily at 19-35.
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