Fighting flab with a six-mile trek across three peaks
●● SPURRED on by the thought of a convivial Christmas meal,
describes his first tentative steps with East Cheshire Ramblers after being laid up for six months by a foot injury.
There’s nothing like a bracing walk to stimulate the appetite before a hearty Christmas lunch – or so I thought when I joined 28 fellow members of East Cheshire Ramblers on a festive walk from Bollington, one of three this month catering for different groups within the club.
Covering just six miles, the mid-week walkers’ outing was to be followed by a Christmas meal at the Church House Inn.
Not too far, I told myself, and a great way to catch up with old friends, especially as I had been unable to get into my walking boots since a sightseeing expedition to Russia in May which caused blisters on the toes of my right foot that subsequently became infected.
Unable to do my customary 8-12 miles each week, I quickly put on half a stone in weight. Yet here I was about to tackle three nearby peaks totalling 1,500ft of ascent, as our leader, David Gylee, cheerfully informed us. But what the heck, I told myself, it was only six miles and I could always turn back if things got too hard.
Setting off through the back streets of Bollington, we made our way steadily up Long Lane towards Nab Head. The lofty summit overlooking the town has a special significance for ECR ever since the group won a celebrated victory in the 1980s to get a footpath re-opened to the public that had been wrongfully closed for more than 20 years.
Puffing hard, the sweat running down my forehead in rivulets, I gritted my teeth and shed a layer as I plodded up the slope with the rest of the party snaking off towards the horizon.
Although I got to the top eventually I was too late to join them for a group photo beside the trig point – and only to have to march right back down again as they headed for the second peak of the day: Rainow Low.
Compared with Nab’s Head this was relatively easy and the views were extensive as we gazed out across the Cheshire Plain supping our morning coffees.
By now, however, my right foot was starting to complain at the unaccustomed exercise and the prospect of our final ascent, White Nancy, looming up ahead on Kerridge Ridge was just too much to contemplate despite David Gylee’s re-assuring words support and comfort.
Traditionally, White Nancy is decorated in a Yuletide theme and this year is no exception. Reluctantly though, I took the easy option and skirted around the base of the hill while the others made their way up to the monument. Oh well, at least I was first back at the pub.
Fight the flab – for details of East Cheshire Ramblers’ walks programme over Christmas and New Year go to ramblerseast cheshire.org.uk.