Welcome to my latest rambling.

A recent breath of fresh air took me out the other side of Manchester to the very popular and well-trodden Middlewood Way.

This ten mile stretch of former railway line between Macclesfield and Marple makes for easy walking and cuts through some lovely Cheshire countryside and attractive villages.

 

I walked the 10 miles over two visits (not wanting to overdo it!), starting at either end and ending in the convenient mid-point of Middlewood station.

Photographically, you have to look a little harder to grab a good shot, as mostly the scenery is pleasant but undramatic. The old track-bed resembles a nature reserve when you detour round a pond, where I hovered looking for dragonflies and other wildlife.

Back to nature near Middlewood,

Then there is the nostalgic curiosity of arriving at a station, the last train having long departed, yet the platforms well preserved. Two are evident on the route (High Lane and Higher Poynton) and make a good spot for a picnic stop, thanks to the handy benches.

   

Higher Poynton Station

Of course, no walk would be complete without the obligatory stop at a tearoom and my friend Gillian and I came across one nearby, which reminded you of the local history, whilst adopting a sense of humour!

Talking of humour, on route to the Middlewood Way, you may pass through Stockport Station, where you may notice that it has a very odd platform numbering system, which is guaranteed to confuse. It starts at ‘zero'(!), which reminds me of a ‘Harry Potter’ film!

Stockport's Platform Zero!!

Tea with a railway theme.