Taking the Mike’s at Tinsle

Eastwood and Burston laid a near perfect trail, to follow at least, from the Bulls Head at Tintwhistle. The TallyHo weather pixie had taken offense at something we had done and for once the weather was not glorious. Slightly wet and decidedly windy, the clouds did rise for a short time to reveal the superb autumn colours of the moorland above the valley.
The pub had provided a room for us to change, and it was crowded from early on as everyone appeared to be eager to get started. The usual early starters were off, although Early Taylor was not as early as he would have wished. Shippers, Whitworth, Walley, Bell were off promptly, and then a group containing Park, Norman, Wells, Murray and Brown stumbled out into the wind. It started out as a group, but Park and Norman took offence at the slow progress of the larger members of the group and disappeared into the distance a few yards after the pub had been exited. They were not seen again before the meal. The others were caught by the lesser Ruddock not far out and he joined for the rest of the trail.
Potter and Fast Taylor escaped before the fast pack had got organised, but Potter decided not to spend too much time in Taylor’s company and was away. Finally Whitehead, Shotgun, McHarry, Jackson and Stanton, and a dog, blasted away from the warmth of the pub at high velocity.
All the runners followed the excellently laid trail down the hill and across the main road. We then headed to the Bottoms Reservoir, where we turned up the valley to follow the waters side and cross the dam between the Valehouse reservoir and the Bottoms. Leaving the Bottoms after as further short acquaintance, we headed across to Padfield and then Little Padfield Farm. Across a couple of fields, then over the Woodhead road and on to Swineshaw Reservoir. We then had to drop into Old Glossop, bringing childhood memories back to Jackson, before heading out onto the moors.
It was the start of a long climb. We ran (or walked) up alongside the Blakemoor Plantation, above Shittern Clough. Then off the track and onto rougher paths the Trig Point at Cock hill. We were emerging out into the wind from the shelter we had in the lee of the hills. It was bracing. A brief stop by the trig point to allow the slower to catch up, then a bracing run along, and still climbing, Glossop Low. Finally the high point was reached, at 481m, and another regrouping at the deserted tea stop, with it’s chairs stacked up and table missing. A good 200m climb. Early Taylor was discovered making his way up here, bemoaning his late start and the lack of shortcuts on the route.
We joined the Pennine Way on Clough Edge, above Torside Clough. The drop from the edge was extremely steep, and the wind was blasting up the slope, which proved to be a blessing for the less weighty as they were blown away from the drop. The view down the valley to the reservoirs below was the highlight of the run, with the clouds lifting to show the moors in their autumn colours. The wind was just a bit strong and cool for those who had neglected to wear adequate clothing. Potter had raced past on the top, and Fast Taylor was held up in the queue as the path along the edge was narrow and needed concentration.
On the steeper descent, thankfully out of the wind, from Peaknaze Moor there was frenzied activity and Jackson, Shotgun and Bloodless shot past, closely followed by a dog. As the incline became horizontal again, by the side of Torside Reservoir, Fast Taylor was released and headed for home. Then McHarry raced past in pursuit of the leading group. Finally Stanton trotted past, bemoaning the pace of his would have been friends.
The trail led us alongside Torside reservoir on the disused railway, then alongside Rhodeswood Reservoir. At the dam we crossed between the reservoirs and then crossed the main road. Up on a track towards Tintwhistle Low Moor, then bearing left to parallel the road and proceed to Townhead Farm. Then is was just a short run along the road, up into Tintwhistle and the sanctuary of the hostelry.  Skint Wilson, Mason and the Greater Ruddock where already propping up the bar, having pleased themselves earlier.
Tin bath in the toilets provided some cleaning, at least for the earlier arrivals. We all adjourned to the bar as fast as we could, with the group that sat nearest the open fire slowly roasting. The beer was excellent, and the food very good. Steak pudding, mushy peas and chips, followed by Apple Pie and custard. A committee meeting was held in a room, and restricted the beer consumption of those involved. A good thing as a number of them were driving and the beer was very moresome.
The meeting was just about details, but a proposal was brought up to re-instate Peak Forest as a normal venue. It has good changing, beer and food and it in a good position. The other side of the proposal is that it replaces one of the Frodsham runs. It could be said that the runs from Frodsham are increasingly difficult to find, the food is not reliable and the beer is awful. The changing is great and at present is the only venue where the tin bath is not in evidence. A talking point before the next AGM, anyway.