JK's little bit of the internet

Todays walk started at the Fairholme Visitor Centre just off the A57 at Ladybower followed by a steak sandwich at The Ladybower Inn.

The terrain and landscape was similar in many ways to Blackstone Edge overlooking Hollingworth Lake in Lancashire.

 

Photos in the Derwent Edge album.

 

 

Well, today we were up in the Lancashire for a walk round Wycoller and Ferndean.  The weather was a bit mixed but kind enough to us for the walk that started and finshed in Winewall, Colne, just near the Cotton Tree Pub.

Feel free to browse the picture in the Wycoller gallery.

A spur of the moment walk today with Julie And Andrew.  This particular walk starting and ending at The Shady Oak in Tiverton had a bit of everything as can been seen from the photos.  Take a for yourself…

unday 1st August say part of the city centre closed to traffic for the Manchester Sky Ride.  Along with Julie and Diane, we pedalled to Manchester via Old Trafford Football Ground, and then cycled from Castlefield to Sports City.

 

Photos in the Sky Ride album.

Today’s walk was a 6.5 mile circular starting at Hollingworth Lake Visitor Centre and taking in the 1,323ft high Blackstone Edge.

 

Afterwards a few of us adjourned to the White House Pub on the A58 just outside Littleborough on the way over to Ripponden.  Good food, real ales and spectacular views.

 

Feel free to browse the photos in the Balckstone Edge gallery.

On sunday 4th July I am pleased to say I completed my first Manchester to Blackpool cycle ride, in aid of The Christie Hospital along with mys suster, Sally.  The woute in total was 63 miles taking us through Leigh, Standish and Preston to name but a few.  I wouldn’t go as far as to say it was easy, but it wasn’t nearly as difficult as I though it was going to be.

I suppose it shouldn’t have been too difficult seeing as I cycle 20 miles to and from work most days and try to cycle for recreation in the evening and weekends where I can.

A big thanks to all those who sponsored me.

I didn’t want to risk the camera because the weather forecast wasn’t good, but there are pictures taken at the beginning and the end.  As it turned out, there was only a short downpour towards end – near Singleton I think, but the wind and the sun soon dried us off.

Looking forward to next year now.

Photos in the Manchester to Blackpool album.

Today’s walk was Moel Famau in North Wales.  This excellent route takes in the highest point on the Clwydian Hills and includes a lengthy section north along the main ridge. Offering contrasting views as far as Snowdonia, with many of the peaks easily recognised, to the west and the delights of Merseyside and beyond to the east the route has much to offer. Apart from being busy around Moel Famau, the route is generally quiet with navigation offering few problems.
The start is the small village of Cilcain reached from the A541 Mold to Denbigh road. Parking is at a premium in the village with the small car park by the village hall being marked for residents only. However with care there are a few spots around the village where parking is easier and the start of this walk is by the front of the church (Grid ref. SJ176651). There is also some parking, passed on the final leg of the walk, out of the village on the lane to the junction at grid ref. SJ167652.
From the church take the narrow lane going south on the west side of the church. This descends quite quickly to reach a cross roads (Grid ref. SJ171647). Go straight across up the access drive to Tyddyn-y-foel. After a few metres go right on the signed path across two fields to a track (Grid ref. SJ168644). Go left down this track and immediately right down another track. This track is followed past a reservoir on your left into a steep sided valley cut into the hills.
The track eventually becomes a path and the going gets steeper as you climb up to a junction (Grid ref. SJ163632). Go straight across the bridleway and continue the climb alongside the plantation on your left to reach open ground and the Jubilee Tower on Moel Famau.
You are unlikely to have this spot to your self. However the view is excellent and a short climb up the tower will give you the chance to see how good you are at recognising the mountains of Snowdonia. Having enjoyed the panorama, descend just north of west on the Offa’s Dyke National Trail. The path can be seen meandering across the hills towards Moel Arthur and unless the weather is bad you should have no trouble finding the route. You have nearly 4 km of ridge to enjoy with a couple of minor summits en-route. The final descent to the road before Moel Arthur is steep and badly eroded in places and with an added hazard of thick ice was not too pleasant.
Having reached the road (Grid ref. SJ146657) you can, of course, explore Moel Arthur before turning right down the road. After approximately 200 metres bear right on an un-surfaced track heading east back towards Cilcain. This leads past Gronfoel to a road junction (Grid ref. SJ165653). Go straight across and follow the lane down into Cilcain. On the way down this lane you will pass the parking mentioned earlier in this walk description.

Feel free to browse the photos in the photos in the Moel Famau album.