A recent issue of Runners World highlighted the Millennium Walkway in New Mills in their Dream Run* feature. Jim and I decided that it was worth a run and along with Nick and Mike Cooper aimed our Sunday “Boar’s Head” training run in that direction. I had imagined a straightforward route down the Macclesfield and Peak Forest canal followed by a quick loop through New Mills. Jim however arrived with photocopied maps showing a more challenging trail across the grain up through Strines and back over Bowstones.
[* By the way we should submit a photo of Tony enjoying "dream reps" on Wilmslow bog or maybe the landfill hill.]
We set off at a conversational Sunday morning pace interrupted only by Nick’s quick pit stop (apparently the second PB of the month).
All the canal bridges looked the same but Jim was confident with the first turn off before Marple. A long hard look at the map as we turned towards Strines. Positively doubtful as we criss-crossed the golf course, skirted the woods, ran down a dead end. Jim bemoaned the lack of colour on his map and just where was the Goyt Valley Way or for that matter New Mills? We were an hour into the run and I was beginning to regret not carrying food and my Running Bear whistle. Jim finally opted for the steep main road up into New Mills and we laboured up past the "Welcome To Derbyshire" sign.
After some directions from bemused locals we finally picked up the well hidden Goyt Valley Way path. Suddenly the valley sides steepened into Torrs Riverside Park and there in front of us was the aerial walkway. Curved along the vast retaining wall and hanging out over the river it was just as impressive as the photos and we bounced along the recycled plastic panels.
Confidence restored Jim pointed us further down the Goyt Valley Way. But surely we’re turning back now? No much quicker to carry on to Furness Vale – it’s just over the river. So out through the woods and fields, round the next corner and … the bridge is down – removed for repairs. We seriously considered shinning over the remaining pipework but in the end took the safer option of a mile diversion down the river.
Finally entering Furness Vale the clock showed 1hour 50 and we were still in Derbyshire…
"Just across the A6, straight over into the back of Lyme Park" still we trotted after the Pied Piper Pendrill. Sure enough after a long old haul we could see Bowstones but only on the far horizon. Soldiering on Mike and Nick began to hallucinate for their Sunday lunch and we began to take bets on whose wife would call out mountain rescue first. Fortunately a short cut (by our standards) delivered us through a farm and into Lyme Park. By the time we slumped into the Boar’s Head car park the GPS had passed 18 miles.
If you’d like a go at this one contact Jim or have a look at http://www.derbyshire-peakdistrict.co.uk/newmillswalk.htm.
Meanwhile Stuart and Mike Halman were just getting going on the Blackpool Beach …
Rob