My Bench Post

All seen in Cheethams Park

Stalybridge

Take

Your

Pick

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I have posted this to join in with Runes Benches On Friday I also like visiting For The Love Of Benches ... why not join in or drop by the links above and see where they take you.

Sky Watch

Monday's sky on the way back from my walk.

Shown now for

Sky Watch Friday

Brick Hay Barn

Cheethams Park

Stalybridge

What a shame that vandals have attacked this fine old building, it pleases me to say that this park seems to be on the up, with money being spent in many areas. I am sure there will be a 'grant' available somewhere for this and if there is then our council will seek it out.

Carved Nuthatch

Nuthatch Seat

Cheethams Park & Nature Reserve

Stalybridge

...

This is a living tree and the carved Nuthatch as been attached where a limb as been removed.. the seat is just wide enough for me to sit on... so it must be ment for two.. ha! Again this was part of the sculpture trail... this trail as been added this year and I have not been able to find any information on it as yet.

I will show the next set of pictures from this set on Friday, to join in with Rune's bench post..... so theres a clue as to whats in store. Tomorrow I will show you two old stone posts with inscriptions.... I hope you can join me then as I need help deciphering one ;o)

3 Of - 8

Hill Top Horse

3 Of - 5 For Sky Watch

This was the sky on Monday morning when I had a walk to a local park... I did take the more scenic route through the fields above Matley. To see more Sky Watch posts visit
Sky Watch Friday

3 Of - 2

Small natural spring, that I have never known to completely dry up.



Which trickles down the hillside onto the track below.



Which is now piped under the field and helps to keep a new pond filled. The field was alway wet and boggy, but as been sold along with others to the local golf club.

Walk Around Matley 14

These are the last few pictures I will show you of my walk around and through the fields of Matley.

This is one of the last few herds of dairy cattle in Hyde, most farms now seem to make their living from horses. When I first moved around here over 20 years ago I would often stand and watch the farmer walking his herd back to and from the farm at milking time. All the traffic would be held up on Matley lane.... which at that time had a 60mph speed limit on most parts... that as now dropped to 40mph. The field he would walk them from he sold for housing, and as his fields on this side of the road are all connected it is rare to see them on the road now.

Autumn was showing all around, the trees are all changing colour now and some like this Holly were baring fruit.

By the time I had done this walk around Matley I was tired, it used to take me no time at all. I walked down this pathway heading home past the Rising Moon public house.... at one time I would have stopped off here for a pint or two, but now my thoughts were on my aching knees and hips, and an erratic heart beat. I got home realising how unfit I am at the moment, my illness stops me from exercising each day, which in turn as led me to pile on the pounds... I really need to do a little each and everyday, even if I have to sit down on a chair whilst doing so. ha!

Thanks for dropping by and seeing and reading about my walk, hopefully the next one will not be to long.

Walk Around Matley 13

Matley

In Black & White

Walk Around Matley 12

Have you got a good eye sight?

In the above picture you can see smoke coming from a factory chimney, just to the right is a church steple. In between those two points and slightly above are the landing lights at Manchester Internationaltaionl Airport... Now for how good are your eyes.... there's a plane coming in to land from the left... can you see it?

Click to enlarge this one

The plane is now above the smoke from the chimney and a little lower to the lights. I watched it land, as I have watched many others land and take off from this high ground. When Concord was flying it was a sight to behold as it came in... and taking off was sight and sound not to be missed. I think the airport is about 6 miles maybe less from here but on certain days plane engines can be heard roaring when landing... I think it is called 'reverse thrust'... any how I hope your eyes managed to pick the plane out. :O)

Walk Around Matley 11

Ploughed Fields, Pylons and Hartshead Pike.

The ploughed fields and pylons speak for themself but Hartshead Pike on yonder hill warrents a few words...

The Pike is built on a beacon point for the local area and as such is visible for many miles around. Long before the Romans came stomping about our land, the local tribes would have lit fires here to celebrate the cycle of the seasons, there were many ancient sites close by, including a stone circle at Buckton Castle, once visible from the pike it is now sadly lost. It is highly probable that the druids worshiped at Hartshead Pike during the Iron Age, and sacrifices may have been held to appease their gods. In 1588 warning beacons like the one on Hartshead were lit all over the country to warn of the coming Spanish Armada.

The tower that can be seen there now is the third to be built in the area. The previous monument was rebuilt in 1758, but after developing a crack, it collapsed in 1820. A further forty three years passed before another attempt was made to rebuldit. The result is the Pike of today, which was built to commemorate the marriage of the Prince of Wales (later King Edward the Seventh) and Princess Alexandra of Denmark. The tower had to be paid for by public subscriptions and is three hundred metres above sea level. It was declared open in November 1928. Although now it is bricked up, it was once possible to inside the Pike for a small charge. Druids still worship and celebrate the summer solstice here.... and the last few years as seen many people gathering to watch the sunset. Click Here to see a short video of pictures taken at one such Summer Solstice.

Walk Around Matley 10

Matley's Hedgerows

Most of the hedgerows around Matley seem to be made up of Holly, Hawthorn, Oak, and Elder. All these trees work well as a way of keeping stock in the fields.. and each tree would also have been useful to the farmer...

This was a new footpath for me, and I was pleased with this avenue of tree.... it was dark and muddy but a very interesting pathway. At one time a track of some sort had been here... I had past by a small quarry dug out of the hillside and now overgrown. As there's a number of cottages at the end of this track in seem a far guess the stone for the cottages came from there.

A few more picture yet to show you from around here, so join me again tomorrow and I'll show you an interesting and smelly find.

Walk Around Matley 9

More Sights To See

Old Gate

I am always on the look out for these, more so for the gate posts. Some are very well carved and I'm sure different areas had different designs.

View Towards Hyde

This clearly shows how near to the town we are, and the blue sign in the middle right of the above shot is a traffic sign on the M67 motorway which cuts its way through the center of the town.

Old Farm Buildings..

These buildings are down a pathway I have not walked before and is somthing I know nothing about.... it will however be getting a visit as soon as I can make this walk again. It looks lived in but I can't think of any roads or lanes that lead that way...

Waymarker & Stile

These are something else I keep taking pictures of.... more as a reminder to check the paths out... and another reason is I come across them damaged at times and it helps to have a picture when reporting them.

Dry Stone Wall

As you nearly all know now I show these whenever I can... this one is well past its best and will be lost for ever in time. It is an old stretch of walling but most as gone and the gapes have been replaced with barbed wire.

Walk Around Matley 8

Views From Upper Matley

Hyde, Haughton, Stockport and beyond

Over the fields to Harrop Edge

Harrop Edge Again

When I took this walk the weather was touch and go... the clouds broke now and then and blue skies could be seen, but mostly it was overcast and grey. What was nice was when the sun did poke through the clouds it would throw light on certain fields for a short while like the picture above shows. More tomorrow..

Walk Around Matley 3

Interesting sights to see in the Hedgerows around Matley

Rose Hips

Rose Hips are the cherry-sized red fruits of the rose bush left behind after the bloom has died. Although nearly all rose bushes produce rose hips, the tastiest for eating purposes come from the Rosa rugosa variety

Holly Leaves

The leaves of the Holly tree have a leathery texture and are thick, green and glossy. Normally about 2 inches log, they are edged with stout prickles alternately pointing upwards and downwards, while most of the upper leaves have only a single prickle. The leaves have neither taste nor odour and stay attached to the tree for several years. When they do fall off, the leaves take a long time to decay seeming to stad up well to the natural actions of air and moisture.

Elder Berries & Black Berries

Elderberries are small, dark berries that grow in clusters on Elder trees. Elders are a hardy plant that grow along our hedgerows, they are fast growing and typically grow quite large and full... the berries can be used for many purposes. Blackberries are one of our most popular berries, I still pick them each year..... and along with apples I make pies and crumbles for the freezer

Himalayan Balsam

Himalayan Balsam is common on our river and streams, but as nice as the flowers maybe it is however an invasive weed. The brightly coloured flowers are usually in shades of purplish pink to white and flower from June to October. Himalayan Balsam can produce around 2,500 seeds in explosive seed pods that throw seeds 20 feet or more away from the original plant. The seeds can last in the ground for several years. Apart from how nice the flowers are I like these for the way they attract bees and such like. Join me tomorrow for some macro shots of these flowers gettin a visit .