Malham

We haven`t done a walk in the Yorkshire Dales for a while ,so today we are heading for Malham.
There was a large pay and display car park close to the village of Malham where we start our walk.
We walk through the picturesque village and follow the way marker for Malham Cove ,the path is part of the Pennine Way.
                                               The Cove is a sight of grandeur as we approach.

We sit at the flat summit to take in the fabulous view and eat our sandwiches and enjoy a well earned rest for a while after the strenuous climb up a well formed stepped path.

We set off again down hill and after a beautiful walk we proceed along another path way which is taking us to the picturesque Gordale Scare.

We think about heading back to Malham Village, thinking we would need to follow the road (boring ) we are surprised to see a National Trust public footpath which hugs the river back to the village with the added pleasure of seeing a most beautiful waterfall named "Janet's Foss " what a gem of a find.

So we have had a beautiful walk with a fitting end with a mug of coffee in the "Muddy Boots " cafe :)

Cruising the " Cheshire Ring "

we so enjoyed our canal boat holiday last year we decided to do it again .
So we are going to cruise the "Cheshire Ring " starting from Anderson Boat Hire in Middlewich on a beautiful July afternoon we head off on the Trent and Mersey canal.
Just before reaching Harecastle Tunnel we turn onto the Macclesfield Canal, this is a much narrower canal but very pretty scenery.

                                                                     Ramsdell Hall

                                                                              Mow Cop
You can just about make out the image of Mow Cop on the hillside , we walked along this stretch of canal and up to Mow Cop just a few weeks ago.

                         There are pretty bridges , cottages and fields all along this stretch of canal.

We moor for the night at Higher Poynton and have much needed refreshment at the Miners Arms which was a lovely country public house , as we sat outside we were treated to a pony and trap passing by ,
 so country :)
We leave Macclesfield Canal and turn on to the Peak Forest Canal , where we are met with the Marple flight of 16 locks ....nice ..

                                    Half way through .. time for a sit and pose for the camera :)

We are advised it best to go through Manchester all in one day ,so we spend the night at Portland Basin.
Next morning we set off at 6am , and start the Rochdale canal to travel through Manchester city centre.
It just happens to be the hottest day of 2013 and we have a massive 27 locks to navigate !!!!

 Manchester City Football Club

                                                               Cycling Velodrome

                                                                     Canal Street

                                                     The last lock at Castlefield Basin
      We stay the night in the Castlefield Basin , it is a hot balmy night and the bars are all buzzing

                                                lights coming on as evening approaches


We can sigh with relieve , we are on the Bridgewater canal and NO LOCKS :):) all the hard work has been done :):)

We Cruise through Sale ,Lymm, Stockton Heath, Preston Book ,Northwich and back to base in Middlewich :)

                                               the mighty Manchester United Football Club

                                               Looking across to Norton Priory -Runcorn


                                        Cheshire Ring complete :):) and all in one week :)

                                              and one large friend made :):) Lucy the Great Dane.