David and Jacinta's Walks- 2023

 Chinley, Cracken Edge and Whiterakes The cold, clear weather disappeared today and was replaced by a damp, drizzly day. But, out we went to Chinley, very familiar and perfect for a short walk if the weather proved unpredictable. After a coffee in Chinley we waked up to Cracken Edge and entered the mist and murk. Into the mist we go It was quite cold and the visibility dropped as we got to the top. We see less and less We dropped out of the mist and it warmed a little as we passed Whiterakes- a deserted house with attached barn which we have passed for at least the last ten years. Our return was via Andrews Farm and the notorious location where we were marauded by sheep- not this time, though! There were few people around and even the sheep looked rather damp. Nevertheless, the walk was worth doing and, as ever, we got back to the car feeling thoroughly invigorated. 5⅓ miles, 335m ascent.

 Chinley Churn Circuit A short walk was in order for this beautiful, clear late-October day. We had not been to Chinley for a while and decided to do something a little different. From our usual parking spot near the station, we treated ourselves to a coffee at The Green Lane Social and then started up Stubbins Lane and continued up Oven Hill Road (a great name!), past the track that leads to the east of Chinley Churn and up to a place with another great name, Throstle Bank. As we approached the bridleway to the west of Chinley Churn we were treated to a view of The Dreaming Spires of Manchester. The Dreaming Spires of Manchester (and sheep) More special, though, was the sight of three Common Buzzards wheeling above us. David was only able to capture the flight of one of them, though. We followed the bridleway north through the New Allotments and stopped for a break, with a different view of the familiar features of Kinder- Mill Hill, the Shooting Cabin, William Clough and Sandy Ha...

 Chinley- Jacinta with Anna Jacinta went for a short ("only" five miles) but pleasant walk with Anna. Nothing dramatic, just the usual Chinley circuit and had great weather and great views of Kinder and Whiterakes. Kinder from above Chinley with The Downfall catching the sun Whiterakes from the Pennine Bridleway

  Chinley and Mount Famine New Year's Day- and after a wet and windy start in Stockport (and some indecision about where to go today) we decided to reprise the first walk of 2022 and go to that ever-faithful place- Chinley. It was dry and not too cold as we made our way up to Cracken Edge. On the way up to Cracken Edge from Chinley We marvelled, as ever, at the extent of the quarrying that went on in the heyday of gritstone production. Quarries on Cracken Edge- from below And from the top of Chinley Churn We went up Mount Famine and took this year's photo of Jacinta on the rock promontory, immortalised in a snowy picture taken a few years ago. Annual picture of Jacinta on Mount Famine's promontory. South Head in background David went up South Head out of principle while Jacinta sensibly ambled around the bottom where we met and had our lunch. We returned the usual way- accompanied by a bit more blustery wind than earlier, passing lots of sheep. They always look at us expect...