[Stones] 'Thursbitch' megalithic landscape walk

[Tim P]

 From Andy Roberts: andy at darkstar.fsnet.co.uk
 
I'm hosting another walk round the Pennine valley of Thursbitch on 
Sunday 24th February 2008.
 
This is a hill and valley walk in the west Cheshire moorlands, 
approximately 8 miles, about 2 miles of which are on the road.
 
The walk takes in the majority of sites and monuments written about in 
Alan Garner's novel, Thursbitch. While I thoroughly recommended reading 
the book prior to the walk (because it's the best pagan novel you'll 
ever read), it's not essential to have done so. The walk visits standing 
stones both possible and definite, an old chapel, a well, and various 
other locations.
 
However, it's not for fluffies! Thursbitch can be difficult to get to by 
car even in good weather because of its location. In bad weather the 
valley can easily be snowed up, iced over or generally very wet. Add to 
that the amount of hill and the very wet watershed over which we return 
and it adds up to a stiff winter's outing unsuitable for brats and 
creatures. But the dramatic setting, the connections with the book and 
the sites themselves are well worth the effort. And, of course, in 
February there will be less gombeens around than usual, which is always 
a bonus.
 
Please feel free to pass this info onto anyone who might be interested.
 
I'll post the meeting place and time nearer the day, but if anyone has 
any questions to ask in the mean time please do so.
 
Happy Trails
 
Andy