Shining Tor and One Lost Dog on Shutlingsloe 19th February 2011

Could we all start new careers as shepherds?

Being led down the hill by our new friend!

At the trig point on Shining Tor, new friend still with us!

Walk stats: Distance:11.7 miles. Climb:2418'.

Time: 6 hours 31 minutes. On the move walking average:2.2 m.p.h. Overall walk average:1.8 m.p.h.

Group:Martyn, Dave J and Mike D.

At worst we were expecting showers, and for the first couple of hours it didn't disappoint!  However we didn't expect to see so much snow on the ground and having to walk in cloud for most of the day!  Thankfully it wasn't too cold!  we decided to miss out the summit of Shutlingsloe having been warned by a couple of walkers that our intended descent looked pretty awful to say the least.  It was as we skirted round Shutlingsloe on the Wildboarclough path that we first encountered the dog that rushed past us and looked as though it was leading us down to safety.  Little did we realise that this very friendly dog was to follow us all the way back to the car, despite several attempts to discourage it.  The dog had stayed with us for about 7 miles, all the way from Shutlingsloe to the Lamaload Reservoir car park. Back at the car, the temperature had fallen to about 1 Celsius, and we felt we coudn't leave the dog in these conditions and consequently had no alternative but to take the dog to Macclesfield Police Station who then directed us to Field Farm Dog Kennels at Eaton on the way to Congleton.

As we were now close to Congleton, we headed home via Nantwich and decided to call in at the Travellers Rest at Alpraham.  Weetwood Eastgate was the beer of choice served at the just the right temperature.  This was the first time that any of us had visited this wonderful welcoming little hostelry. Hopefully it won't be the last time that we visit this little gem!
An excellent walk, but we must repeat it again, but next time in the Summer months.

Much to our surprise a a former colleague, Brenda Wynne and her husband came in just before we left.

Birds seen or heard today included: Canada goose, Fieldfare, Black-headed gull, Great spotted woodpecker, Red grouse, Common buzzard and Carrion crow.