Another muddy AGM walk

Yes, it rained and it rained and it rained. Fortunately this was before we set out on a ‘pre-AGM’ 8 miler. However the fields were wet, claggy and very muddy. Dave’s little dog Bess must have known this, because at the call to arms she jumped back into her basket and refused to budge. Only a determined effort from her owner got her moving.

Harrop Green Farm was the first gloopy bit, with the farmer and son giving us a polite lecture on etiquette. Onwards via The Middlewood Way and Macclesfield Canal to Styperson, and the first of Quentin’s fascinating lectures! ZZZZ. Down through Bollington and back onto the MC with tongues hanging out after a promise of meeting up with the Naked Lady! Oooogh. Huge disappointment upon the realisation that she was actually concrete! This was more than made up for by lecture no. 2 upon the history of Macclesfield Canoe Club, and its Canoe store by the side of Adelphi Mill. ZZZZ again.

A target time of 13.30 back at the Toby was pressing, so a 1 mile leg via Clarke Lane and Moat Hall Farm was deleted. On via more waterlogged fields to Whiteley Green, and we were soon back on schedule. A final boot sucking 1 mile along Peggy Lane and thankfully all present and correct back on the A523 with a 10 minute return back to base. After the mud, certain members were seen to breathe a sigh of relief upon making landfall!

Just 5 of us + Bess but I think everyone enjoyed 3.5 hours in the watery winter sun and yes, we made it back in time for a nice carvery and a productive AGM.

QB