Peel Tower Holcombe 3.5 miles. Peelers. Anthony, Vic, Paddy, Jim and Danny.

The Peel tower from the car park on Lumb Carr Road. It was built as a tribute to Sir Robert Peel, twice prime minister, and architect of the modern police force, who was born in Bury.

There is a Territorial Army Reserve training camp on Holcombe Moor, and as we crossed the road a contingent of recruits although not in military uniform were heading up the hill with a purpose. We also had a purpose, but our purpose was to have a much more relaxed walk. After crossing the road, Anthony leads us up a well made path to an old obviously Victorian or even older, stone paved road which crossed our path, at which juncture we turned left to circle round the steep hill.

After passing some old terraced cottages, and a more modern up market property, we come to a road junction, where the road uphill to the right is private, but accessible for walkers, I think that we just about fall into that category, so up we went.

Most of the roads/ footpaths today were constructed from gravel or quarry bottoms. I mention this so the reader does not get the impression that all our route was on roads like this one. This is the exception, Anthony is leading the way onto another such less well made path.

Considering the number of walkers on this trail it is surprising that there not more than a couple of benches along the whole route. A good job we were prepared.

This is a modern but tasteful extension to a much older property. A minor footpath leads down the side of the property, indicated by the small yellow arrow on the post in the centre of the picture.

                       An excellent work of art in the garden of another property.

              As we circle the hill, we find ourselves on the lee side, with very little wind.

A bit further on we leave the main path to climb a steeper and much narrower path which Vic, our octogenarian is having trouble negotiating.

                         This path leads us round again to the windy side of the hill.

   Here's Jim leading the way to the monument and, at 1pm a slightly later dinner than usual.

                                  And the rest of us trudging along in his wake.

We three are sat on the outside of the tower. Do not get the wrong impression by the bars on the windows.

                        That man on the left looks like he could be the ringleader.

       

The wind seemed to swirl around the monument, so finding the best side to have our dinner wasn't easy. No sooner had we sat down on a sheltered side than the wind would change direction and we were in the chill factor, which incidentally the skiing centre by the same name, on the edge of Manchester could just be seen, as eagle eyed Anthony pointed out. We didn't hang around for long therefor, once we had finished our dinner, but where is Vic. We found him round the corner, basking in the sunshine. THE CAD.

    The path down was a gentle slope.The views in the middle distance were clear enough, but hazy in the far distance, so Manchester and North Wales although they could be seen in shape, a great deal of imagination was required.

So here we are back at the car park. A nice walk for this time of year but I think it could be a bit too bracing on a cold winters day. The paths were fore the most part good but a bit bumpy underfoot without good boots on😡. Poor old Vic is still struggling to keep up with us though.

                                  Thanks Anthony                              DK