25th February 2010: Hatton Arms

The weather is a bit warmer this morning and although there is no sign of the sun it promises to be a good day.  We meet at the Manley Mere Windsurfing Centre and what a difference the new Greenway extension makes to the journey out.  Liz and Dave Hill are already there when I arrive and we discuss Dave’s forthcoming Vietnam/Laos travelogue and slide show on the 19 March.  See C&NWCTC website (a few places remain).  Ivan and Ray soon make up the numbers and we get down to discussing today’s venue.  East or northeast are the favoured direction: Norton Priory, Daresbury, even Knutsford is mentioned.  We decide on Daresbury via Acton Bridge and set off for Delamere Forest where Dave Hill leaves us for a bit of off-road riding.  The remaining four of us continue on through Norley and a fast descent down to the Weaver Navigation to cross Acton Bridge where we make use of the lanes to take a circuitous route to Daresbury via Preston on the Hill.  We don’t do these lanes very often, partly I suspect because they are tucked away on the corner of four OS Landranger maps but with Ray leading that’s not a problem. By Daresbury, birthplace of Lewis Carroll, we still have time in hand so we push on to the Hatton Arms for lunch.
Here we are rewarded with a good choice of ales and food served quickly while we chat.  We discuss some of the proposed special rides with Ivan asking for dates.  Bryan agrees to come up with some suggestions for further discussion.
Ray plans the return journey to take in more lanes: past Cogshall Hall and on to Little Leigh where we must do all of one mile of the outward route before taking the Weaver Navigation path to the locks by Dutton Viaduct.  This is fine but I’m thinking ahead to the climb up Norley Bank.  Once the climb is out of the way it’s back through Delamere Forest and Ashton Hayes to the Windsurfing Centre where Liz leaves us while the rest continue back to Chester.
Distance from Chester and back a good 58 miles.
BW