Foot Paths I use

I walk these well worn tracks as often as I can.... they are all within a short walk from my house and take me away from a large housing estate, busy roads, with workshops and factory's. The differance in views and noise levels is a joy... long may these green oases in our towns survive the bulldozers of the future.

The Green Man

Standing Stones

Cheethams Park

Stalybridge

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This is not an ancient site made by a race of men long gone.... it is most proberly the brain child of one of the gardners here at the park.

I must admit that where it is situated is a very good choice... right at the far end of the park.... just by the entrance to the woods.

If I had seen this as a child it would have become a favourite spot to play, even now it as a certain feel about the place. I sat here for a good half hour taking in the sights, sounds and smell of the place. Who ever it was that thought this up deserves praise as the area is so peaceful.

In the back ground can be seen the old brick barn I showed a day or two back... and at the side is the woodland path.

Stile and Stone

The above stile takes you through a field used for grasing horses, but the path was here long before the horses came to graze here.

Some of these stones are woth investigating closer...... some have been worked into gate posts and are reused for stiles, other show signs of shaping but no sign of ever being a gate post. I like to think it might have been a 'standing stone' of some kind..... We do have them nearby so the idea is not as daft as it sounds.

This leads into a woodland pathway over looking Early Bank road and Early Bank Woods, the trees are mostly Beech, Oak, Chestnut, Rowen, Hawthorn and Holly.

Tree Burl

Early Bank Woods

Stalybridge

Burls are weird lumps, bumps, and bulges that grow on tree trunks, I have no idea what causes them maybe an insect of a injury to the tree?

Burls continue to grow as the tree grows, and can be massive like this one. I have seen them on some very big old trees so no really harms seems to be done.

The unusual swirling grain forms unique patterns in these burls which makes them prized by woodworkers. Burls can be carved into bowls or other objects. I should think this fine one most be worth a penny or two.

Woodland Views

Early Bank Wood

Stalybridge

Sweet Chestnuts

Early Back Woods

Cheethams Park & Nature Reserve

Stalybridge

Now is the ideal time to go out collecting our Sweet Chestnuts. As the October winds blow there will plenty falling from above. Make sure your head is safe.... I had one spike my bald pate last year ha!

I love these roasted , I simply slit the skin with a knife as they explode if you don't and roast them in a hot oven..... I can then sit there peeling back the skins and eat the softened nut within.

I picked about 10-12 pound in weight last week and have them in the shed ready for when needed.

3 Of - 5a Benches

A 'Resting' of Benches

In

Black & White

To see more benches visit my good friend Runee who for the last 6 months as been featuring Bench Of The Week check it out he has a great blog with great pictures any day of the week. I also have to mention PERBS and Kerri who have a blog just for Benches called For The Love Of Benches Please nip over and see whats on offer there, you will not be disapointed.