1st October

Sunday's walk was a challenging 12 mile walk from Upper Hulme, a charming village sitting at the foot of The Roaches to Sutton, a village outisde Macclesfield.
There were some pretty stiff climbs but the 11 walkers thoroughly enjoyed the challenge. We were jubilant that the weather forecast (rain!) had been proved wrong as we strode along the ridge towards Wincle, where a planned refreshment stop was enjoyed at The Ship a country pub with excellent real ales and good food that has not usurped a well-kept and wide-ranging cellar.
After lunch the sky became more menacing, and with little or no warning the heavens opened and rain fell like stair-rods, lightning illuminated the hills, thunder crashed around us and hail stung our faces - we were drenched.
We battled on over Croker Hill with its sci-fi telecoms tower and along the ridge to Sutton where after a quick half we caught the bus to Macclesfield and a welcoming fire in the Waters Green Tavern.
A great day out.