Week 8

Walking at Rainow near Maccelsfield
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Hi-ya

The Wales road trip took it out of me last week and I had to get things in order both at home and for the upcoming trips, so this weekend I stayed local.

Walkies!!!

Friday night I went out with Faye from work. We headed into Stockton Heath which is my local area so we walked from my apartment to Bar 101 (a nice wine bar). Faye used to live in London so she finds it strange that no one here goes out for after work drinks. Over a bottle of wine, she was filling me in on all the office gossip and telling me all about her recent 6 month stint in Borneo where she did volunteer work. We finished the night off with a bite to eat at the local café – nice but $30AUD for a small plate of gnocchi, a piece of bread and a glass of water – that’s crazy!!!!

Alison and Patch
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Saturday I spent about 5 hours on the phone to Australia. The time difference is a real pain so unfortunately this took most of the day but was really nice to speak to family and friends. I even got to see my nieces in action on webcam. What was left of the day I just spent shopping and getting currency for my trip to Sweden next weekend (took awhile as I was trying banks instead of travel agents – funny how little things like that are different from country to country).

Sunday I finally managed to go on one of the organised walks. The walk was an hour drive from my place in the Macclesfield/Bollington area which is the beginning of the Peake District National Park. The weather wasn’t great – cold and windy – but I’m getting used to that now….at least it didn’t rain. The walk was 12 miles (20kms) and took us through rolling hills in the English countryside – lots of horses, sheep and stone fences and at the top, a thing called White Nancy (originally built as a summer house in honour of the battle of Waterloo). There were 18 people on the walk and the guide’s dog called Patch. Patch was amazing – he is 10 years old which is about 70 years old in adult terms and he was climbing stiles and gates. The walk was incident free….well until the last 10 metres. Yours truly had to show her style by tripping on some wire fencing and going for a fall flat on my face directly in front of the pub where we started. It was a spectacular fall – I must have perfected the art of falling while I was learning to snowboard. Thank goodness no injury – not even a bruise. To sooth my embarrassment we all headed to the pub for a warm beer before heading home. The people on the walk were really friendly and I definitely think I will go on another when I get the opportunity.

Lunch Stop - Hiding in the alcove to avoid the wind!!!
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I finally understand why people here complain about the traffic - took me over an hour and half to get home Monday night from work....I only live 5 miles from work!!!

Today was the most amazing day I have seen in a long long time - I think it was about 15 degrees and sunny.  So I went for a walk after work - got lost - took me two hours!!!  I am fascinated that I live about 200metres from the canals where major ships go inland to get from Liverpool to Manchester.  Tonight I was standing on the bridge taking photos of a ship coming down the canal - had my headphones in - so didn't hear the bridge ringing.  Lucky I had enough sense to get off the bridge - the whole bridge turns around to allow the ship through.  It takes about 10 to 15 minutes.  I then eneded up on one of the smaller canals where the canal boats go and people have properties backing onto the canal.  Wasn't expecting all that when I walked out the door.

Walking in the English Countryside
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That was the week. Hope everyone is well.

Bye for now.