It wasn't a very promising day and in the lead up to Christmas it was probably a miracle that four of us turned up for a little leg stretcher before Christmas induced indolence set in!

Leaving the car park, we eschewed the delights of the MTB Trails - another day I promise - and set off down past the Old Hall but instead of turning right at the railway arches we turned left, heading downstream towards Lower Kersal where memory and Memory Map told me there was a footbridge over the Irwell so we could back track along the other bank.  A few misguided attempts later we were crossing the turbid waters of the Irwell and set off on a track keeping the river on our right and the industry of Clifton Junction, including the Pilkington Tiles works on our left.  Not the best of tracks I have to admit and probably not worth the detour but sometimes things just "have to be done!"

Entering Clifton Country Park I chose to keep up by the railway line; not the best choice as it involved a few muddy climbs but eventually we found a track back down to the one I should have been on, found the footbridge back over the Irwell to continue our route towards Ringley.

The ancient seventeenth century packhorse bridge never fails to amaze me, as does Ringley itself - you could be in the Wye Valley! So over we went, taking the road as far as Prestolee where we rejoined the Salford branch of the disused Bury to Bolton canal, crossed the Irwell once more and ascended alongside the impressive flight of locks at Nob End.  Why John Kemp chose to follow Roger up the steepest steps when there was a perfectly cycle-able track alongside, I do not know.  Still we hauled John and bike up the steps, admired the Mecano Bridge as we crossed it and set off along the towpath, detouring over to the other side at the site of the great breach of 1936.  Reaching the steam crane abandoned above Mount Sion works we took a wooded pathway down to the old Mount Sion Road towards Radcliffe and an early lunch.  We certainly needed a warm up and a brew!

As the day proved particularly inclement with little sign of improvement we took the easy option back - up out of Radcliffe along an impressive ramp which gives access to the former railway viaduct over - you guessed it - the Irwell and then along Route 6.  Just before Outwood we spied a youngster about to run up a ramp against the clock wielded by his trainer/mother. We decided not to race but to let him go then follow - he seemed to know what he was doing and disappeared swiftly ahead of us.  At the top we found ourself in a wooded park, later we found out it was Outwood Park where we discovered a strange set of monoliths recently  erected as part of the Irwell Valley Sculpture Trail.

Circling rather aimlessly through the park we eventually found egress onto the Outwood Road and headed West towards Stand where we took the old Old Hall Lane back towards Philips Park and anearly finish.  Ironically the sun came out and our journeys back home were in bright sunlight.

Thanks for those who turned up for good cheer and company.

Rob