Leaving the car park at Timberbrook at 9.30 am we cut through the car park, up a flight of steps and onto the road.  As normal this road is going upwards but gives us our first view over Cheshire.  We turn right into Gosbery Hole lane and now the ascent is even steeper.  This lane is an old farm track leading us towards the summit of a hill called The Cloud.  We take the left path at the national trust signpost and though we are walking upwards the path is good and dry.  Eventually leaving the trees behind the path climbs though the heather and we reach the trig point at the summit of The Cloud. 

Ten minutes here to enjoy the superb views over the Cheshire plain and the Staffordshire Moorlands and it is off again.  The path remains good as we descend from The Cloud to a flight of steps leading to a road.  Turning left we walk along the road for 200 yards and then turn right to follow the Staffordshire Way footpath which leads to a steep ravine called Ravensclough.  At the bottom of the ravine we cross a footbridge and enter a field running alongside the river Dane.  Our walks always seem to cross a field which has been heavily used by cattle and has turned into a mass of potholes filled with water and this field is one of the worst. There is no sign of a footpath and with your eyes glued to the ground as you pick your way across the bog there is every chance that you will miss footpath sign.  In this case we do not miss the sign as it does not exist.  Pure inspiration from one of our walkers guides us up a steep slope to our right and eventually we meet the road.

The walk from this point is along quiet roads passing a large house with beautiful gardens called The Bridestones.  A little lane next to this house leads to an ancient burial site where the huge stones used in its construction can still be seen.  Not far to go now and we soon reach Timbersbrook where the walk started.  A mill used for silk production and dyeing stood in the village from 1890 to 1976.  The mill is now demolished and the only sign of its former presence is the mill pond.  There is no pub in Timbersbrook but our route home passes one of our favourite pubs, the Egerton Arms in Astbury.  Only £3.50 for a hot baguette filled with sausage, mushrooms and chicken and complete with a portion of chips.  Washed down with a pint of Robinsons at £1.74 – excellent. ( I have to add that the girls do not drink beer and seem to prefer more insipid concoctions)

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