Monday 15 July 2019

Dunham Massey to Lymm 12th - 13th July 2019


Friday 12th July 2019
Dunham Massey to Lymm 
3.5 miles, 0 locks

Sue, Monty and I started the day with a rather damp walk to Dunham Massey House.  The idea was to walk some of the extensive grounds, however we took a wrong turning and ended up at the back of the house - as the house and gardens were not open for at least another hour I don't think we should have been there, but no one apprehended us, so all was well.  The bonus was we were afforded a good view of the front of the house 

as well as the back of it from across the lake

This summer there is a 'Percy The Parkeeper' trail for the little ones that includes this rather charming slide

Once we found our way into the woodland (dogs are allowed off the lead which was a huge bonus) we came across this massive tree which I am finding it hard to recognise.

The nearest leaf I found on google is a horse chestnut, but I don't think it is - any ideas? I have been reliably informed (thank you Angela) that it is a Beech tree.

Do you ever stop and wonder just how many years a tree like this has been around?

Monty posing (reluctantly) by a carving of a fox

After we returned to the boats (we now know to access the grounds on foot you go in the gate to the left of the main gate) we set sail on a very grey day

We only had a short journey to Lymm and managed to get there without getting wet.  Apart from very long lines of moored boats there was not much new to look at as we only came this way a couple of months ago.  There was one 'garden' that caught my eye - you don't know where to look first!


As we approached Lymm there was a boat we know - nb Spadger.  We shared locks with them coming south from Chester in 2016.  There was no one at home, so we could not say hello.


As we arrived under Town Bridge two boats moved off - how lucky was that?

Saturday 13th July
Lymm

A quiet day off for us which started with a good walk for Monty.  Firstly south along the tow path past this rather lovely house and garden

and we then veered right and right again to join the Trans Pennine Trail back to Lymm

It was a very pleasant walk

We only came across one of these mileposts - apparently there are 1000 of these funded by the Royal Bank of Scotland to mark the creation of the National Cycle Way

The Trans Pennine Way links the North Sea at Hornsey to the Irish Sea some 215 miles away at Southport.  There is also a north south link from Leeds to Chesterfield.

On the way back we passed this magnificent building which is now a doctors' surgery, but was once the Town Hall and Fire Station

Dotted around Lymm are these signposts - thanks to Mr Google I now know that Olyutorskiy Gulf is part of the Bering Sea.

There was another chance to admire the floral displays at Mr Corbett's house - even more colour than when we passed through heading north




There were visits made to the Lymm butcher and baker as well as Sainsburys.  Saturday evening the four of us went out for a meal at Elmas

The noise that assailed us as we entered filled us with dread and yes, it was difficult to talk.  We did, however, get used to it and things improved when the table behind us with 6 small girls, 1 boy, 5 men and 1 lady left.  The food made up for the noise in spades.  I had ordered lamb medallions medium rare - they arrived well done, but they were very apologetic and my whole meal was re-cooked.  I have to say it was worth the wait - they melted in my mouth and the Merlot sauce was deep and rich.  As an apology I was offered a free dessert - well it would have been rude not to have one!  For those of you that know Chris; when I say he ate a starter, main and dessert that says a lot about how good the food was.  Despite the noise I would go back again, but perhaps try to be on the slightly raised level and further away from the bar.

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