{"id":1002800,"date":"2020-10-25T20:54:11","date_gmt":"2020-10-25T20:54:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.half-daywalker.com\/?p=1002800"},"modified":"2022-11-04T17:47:27","modified_gmt":"2022-11-04T17:47:27","slug":"ogden-and-piethorne-reservoirs-rochdale","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.half-daywalker.com\/?p=1002800","title":{"rendered":"Ogden and Piethorne Reservoirs, Rochdale"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Using That Extra Hour<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Somehow I seemed to arrange a couple of hours tennis with Caroline for this morning, and to meet Adam for a five mile walk this afternoon. Still, these are things we can do in the Tier 3 lockdown, and the extra hour created a great chance to explore a different part of Greater Manchester.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Travel time 40 minutes each way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Walk time 2.5 hours, though Adam had bought a couple of splendid cans of beer which we enjoyed near the end of the walk, adding another quarter of an hour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The walk is 5.25 miles, with a total ascent of 1180ft, 360m. A couple of areas had sheep grazing, but there is plenty of scope for dogs to run free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weather – dry, intermittent cloud and sun<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ordnance Survey Explorer Map OL21<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Parking – on the road, Ogden Lane, or in the small car park by the dam. The toilets were closed until further notice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes, that is the M62 on the map! However, the wind was coming from the south, so it wasn’t at all noisy!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u00a0Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Ogden Reservoir, And A Roe Deer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We crossed the dam, and headed up left through a small wood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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As we exited the wood, a glance to our right brought today’s wildlife of the day, a roe deer!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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We were soon enjoying beautiful views back down to the reservoir.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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M62 Motorway<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The engineering feat that is the M62 emerged to our left:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Nicholas Pike<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The public footpath skirts this hill, but feeling adventurous we took the steep ascent to the summit, to be rewarded with spectacular views<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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View to the south<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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North to Hollingworth Lake in the centre of the picture<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The unmistakable Manchester cityscape to the west<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Piethorne Reservoir<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We passed Norman Hill Reservoir on our left and headed down to the head of Piethorne Reservoir with its pretty gates and waterfall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    The High Moors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    We headed up to the pub on the A 672. It was open, but we wouldn’t be stopping for “a substantial meal”, so the law says we couldn’t sit on a bench outside and enjoy a pint – it really is ridiculous!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The return journey brought more great reservoir views, before we stopped for refreshments on the banks of Piethorne Reservoir.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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        Graham’s Refreshment Selection<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>
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        Adam’s Refreshment Selection<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

        And Finally….<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        2020 has been strange, but it has delivered some musical gems. Released in July, the album is titled Hate For Sale, and this is Chrissie Hynde at her best….<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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