The length of a walk on an average day on the End to End was 9.5 miles so it’s good when an after the End to End day comes in at about the same. Today’s walk did just that and there was some excellent cake.
With shorter day length and colder weather we often use the train to get us to and from walks. Today we began at Gorton Station, which meant changing at Guide Bridge.
It was a bright and sunny morning with a few contrails crossing the blue sky.
The first part of of the walk was along what used to be a branch of the Stockport canal, now filled in. You can still see a few traces of it.
We crossed onto the Fallowfield Loop which was the former Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway. It opened in 1892 but it has been a Sustrans route, part of the National Cycle Network, since at least 2002.
The bright sunshine melted the overnight frost and many of the leaves showed up golden yellow.
We made good progress towards Chorlton, where we took a brief detour to see the two places Bob had lived in Manchester over 30 years ago, before we met. Then it was back Wilbraham Road where we found an excellent cafe (there were lots to choose from) with previously mentioned first class cake.
A tram took us back to Manchester Piccadilly and we were back in Longdendale in time for sunset.
From Psalm 139
If I flew away beyond the east or lived in the farthest place in the west, you would be there to lead me and to help me.
For the day behind, for the night ahead, I give thanks.
God grant a quiet night and a peaceful end.
JAL 18.11.2019 The Fallowfield Loop