Walking the Tame valley

7/7/2017


After a casual morning on the boat, attending to chores, we walk up the valley, the long arms of the Pennines rising on either side, following ancient paths, through woodland, villages, past 19th C mills, along the canal, to the town of Uppermill. There to the Saddleworth museum, Saddleworth being one of the Pennine banks bordering the Tame valley. An interesting social and economic history of this area. And we suss out possible moorings when we climb up 8 more locks on Monday. An amble back to the boat,  a sunny 6 mile round trip.

A photo below is of a barley field, which we walked through on a public right of way.

One photo is taken in a lock, lined with stone, and showing the mark of a stonemason. These marks were the signature of that mason's work. We've  observed these under the balustrade of a substantial bridge, hidden where it was only visible from a  climb under the bridge.

Yesterday we ambled into the village centre of Mossley, where 43 mills once toiled. One such has been restored by a charity., supporting the homeless through its cafe and op shop- over 2 floors of a large mill. Lunch in the cafe- broccoli and stilton soup, followed by a most interesting chat with 2 local volunteers managing the mill museum.

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