Collected Musings of a Hill Wanderer

It may have cooled down now but the recent burst of warm sunny weather brought familiar thoughts to mind. For one thing, the heat forestalled any plans of a day spent wandering in hill country. Memories of how I felt after a day walking around Welshpool in oppressive heat were to blame for that. Nevertheless, I took to the bike for a spin around the highways and byways of Cheshire. Saturday evening saw me out on quite country lanes and braving busy traffic about Congleton; the weather had lured many out. Only for thoughts of closing times, I might have ventured out later on Sunday than I did when I embarked on a round trip that took in Tatton Park, well busy thanks to a classic car weekend, and a quieter Dunham Massey. Along the way, I certainly caught the heat and worries about a faltering back tyre joined the fray too. Otherwise, reasonable use had been made of the weather on offer.

For many, it would have made the classic bank holiday weekend but for a none too shabby Spring Bank Holiday being a week earlier (I haven’t forgotten my promises on trip reports at all…). Those in the Irish Republic, however, get no Spring Bank Holiday with one at the start of June taking its place. That meant the economic gloom could be forgotten for a while with many heading for coast. It may not be my sort of scene but attractions of cool sea breezes cannot be underestimated. In fact, my thoughts were being drawn to cool shady spots near water and away from the madding crowds. However, every option that my brain could summon was likely to be well frequented if not thronged so I went out cycling instead.