Branching Out OUCH !!

20th APRIL 2023

It had been a long time since I’d messaged Graham about going on one of our adventures but today was the day. The meeting point was up at the Meccano bridge on the top canal. I had only gone a short distance when I thought it was going to be one of those days. I’d crossed Hall Lane to ascend back up to the canal but first I had to navigate a metal kissing gate. This proved to be a simple task made very difficult by my own stupidity . Nevertheless after a few expletives I was through and traveling quite happily along the towpath despite the strong breeze making it a bit of a challenge in places.

I spotted Graham up ahead at the bridge patiently waiting for me. I saw he was wearing shorts and thought to myself he might be a bit chilly later. This later proved to be quite accurate.

As this was going to be Graham’s first ride out since last year and has I’d been going out regularly at weekends I decided it would be beneficial if we did a short ride to get Graham back in the saddle so to speak. I suggested then we just follow the canal to Elton reservoir which would ease him in gently.

It was a pleasant spring evening in the sunshine and we enjoyed one another’s company as we leisurely rode down the towpath. We passed the old site of Creams Paper mill where there are plans to build a new housing development, Graham pointed out, “ Wouldn’t want to live down there pal think that’ll flood pretty often ” . A short distance further down the canal we paused to take our now infamous selfie. It was here we saw the ducks quacking away as they swam merrily along, suddenly Graham called  to them “ hey you noisy lot keep it down “ , like a proper Dr Doolittle.  The ducks just carried on regardless as Graham just chuckled to himself. Ducks weren’t all the wildlife we were to see just a little while later we came upon a pair of swans, hopefully it won’t be long before we see them with some cygnets.

We arrive at Water St in Radcliffe where we need to cross to continue along the canal .At this time of evening this is a very busy road so we took the decision to cross at the light’s some way down the road stating to ourselves that it was the sensible thing to do, that was until Graham crossed whilst the red man was still showing, I shouted across “ that was unsensible pal ” as I frustratingly waited for the Green Man. Eventually the lights changed and I caught up with Graham on the towpath further down the canal. Here we came across a large flock of geese, some on land and others enjoying the spring evening, swimming in the canal.

We were soon approaching our destination, Elton reservoir. The usual point of entry was closed off, so we continued down to the small path leading over a single file bridge, just as we approached we heard the sound of motorbike engines and were met with 3 scallies riding the motorbikes who pushed in front of us to go over the bridge, but a couple of women with dogs were just about to cross from the opposite side but only 2 of the bikers stopped, the other forcing his way across much to the displeasure of the women and their dogs who were obviously scared by the noise. The women thanked as we waited for letting them cross looking back up shaking their heads towards the bikers. It wasn’t long though before KARMA struck. As we rode around the top of the reservoir we caught up with the bikes, one of them had snapped a chain bringing them to a halt, sometimes KARMA is pretty much instant.

We chatted for a while as we sat sheltering from the wind behind the only building on this side of the reservoir. After 15 mins or so we got up to continue our ride, needless to say there were some moans and groans as we rose to our feet . By now the sun was very low in the sky and the strong breeze had a chill to it which obviously had an impact on Graham in his shorts  “ it’s bloody freezing now pal “ he exclaimed.

Now it was time to return back along the canal towpath. Luckily for us the wind was behind us and we made steady progress, although I did have to stop a couple of times to let poor Graham catch up. This first ride was beginning to take its toll. He was already complaining about being saddle sore as well as being cold but as an extreme biker he continued on regardless of his discomfort, insisting that I make sure we keep out on our adventures even if tries sometimes to cry off. To add to Graham’s woes as we rode along the towpath he whacked his head on a low overhanging branch, making a real cracking sound as it struck his helmet. “ Bloody hell pal that nearly knocked mi head off”. Lucky for him where there’s no sense there’s no feeling.

A short while later I spotted a lamb with its mother on the opposite bank, just behind me I heard “aww look a little sheep” . I did point out to him that they are actually called “ lambs”. 

It wasn’t long before we were back at the Meccano bridge and heading home. We rode down towards the basin at Hall Lane. Cycling along Graham mentioned that he hadn’t seen any fishermen along this stretch of the canal for a number of years , saying they used to have fishing matches nearly every weekend. And pointed at the little hut which used to be the old fishing club hut where they’d go to get their licence and have their catches weighed on match days . All these years of cycling passed and I never knew what it was. Just goes to show, you’re never too old to learn something new. Graham by now was feeling the cold so we didn’t hang around and parted company. I promised to text when I was home safe.