APPROXIMATELY 6 ¾ MILES

Was it the poor weather or too much to expect the last walks six dogs to reappear?  So, twenty hardy, well-clad walkers and two dogs assembled and set off.  The originally planned walk was abandoned because of the weather.  The new plan was to follow the Peak Forest Canal before returning along the line of the River Goyt.

We were lucky the rain stayed off as we crossed Brabyns Park, heading towards the Peak Forest Canal, the building of which was one of Samuel Oldknow’s great achievements.  Following the canal south we quickly covered the flight of 16 locks, lifting the canal 200 feet, arriving first in Marple, then on to Strines.  The original version of this walk, found in Book One of the walks book, is aptly named ‘Following in Oldknow’s Footsteps’.  We walked up to, over, then under Bridge 19 (Brick Bridge) and approximately a mile along the tow path to Bridge 21.  Leaving the canal behind, we headed down Plucksbridge Road and across Strines Road to follow the bridleway on the opposite side down to the old packhorse bridge known as the Roman Bridge at Windybottom.  Here the walk leader demonstrated his athletic agility by slipping on the stone steps, but he was quickly picked up, brushed down, and photographed!

Following Lakes Road, we headed towards the excavated site of Mellor Mill.  The cotton mill built by Oldknow in 1790, later destroyed by fire in 1892, was the largest spinning mill in the world and employed over 500 people.  Passing the remains of the Mill we headed up Low Lea Road to Marple Bridge and back into Brabyns Park.  Returning with eighteen damp walkers and one dog (don’t ask but all were safe) the sandwiches were again the highlight of the day!