Oh bloody hell, it's here again. Christmas.
So to get into the spirit of things - and after taking a deep breath - our crack team of What's On reporters descended on Manchester's Christmas markets this week and lived to tell the tale.
Some people love it, some people not so much. All views are welcome and all feelings are valid.
For me, it's a little from column A and a little from column B. On one hand I can't wait for it - I do love Christmas, and after the last two were a bit Covid-y and crap, I have high hopes for this year's festive season. But Jesus Christ, it's all very knackering and a bit much, isn't it?
And hasn't this autumn been lovely? With it being a bit weirdly warm, I've been living my best autumnal life - getting out and about, hitting Lyme Park and Fletcher Moss and Reddish Vale and Edale like there's no tomorrow, taking in the new colours, skipping through the leaves and so forth.
On a recent walk to Win Hill from Hope with a friend we both heartily agreed that the Peak District wears the autumnal colours the best, and makes for the best stroll - and with it all being so easy to access from Greater Manchester, well... (aw shucks) it makes us feel quite lucky to live in this lovely bit of earth.
However Christmas is about to carry out a hostile takeover and things will change, so I've decided to make the most of it. I'll be submerging myself this Saturday in the Peak District for one last time before this particularly special autumnal season fades and a harsh winter of alleged merriment and forced fun hits.
And if you fancy doing the same, we have a great guide on the best walks it has to offer here.
The magical forest with red deer and a cosy pub
With all that it mind, our travel writer Liv Clarke has turned her attention to Macclesfield Forest this week.
The beautiful landscape contains two reservoirs, Trentabank and Ridgegate, and the area around the former is a nature reserve managed by the Cheshire Wildlife Trust, featuring Cheshire's largest heronry (if you're into that kind of thing). The forest is also home to a small herd of Red Deer, which you may spot roaming among the trees. All very wholesome.
Fun fact: the woodland you see today is actually the remnants of the Royal Forest of Macclesfield, which was a vast ancient hunting reserve.
There are several walking routes you can take through the forest, varying from a half mile route in the nature reserve, to a more challenging 5.6 mile route. For a manageable route which offers you breathtaking views, head to Nessit Hill, where on a clear day you can see as far as Manchester.
You can follow a three-mile circular route from Ridgegate Reservoir, which will take you through the woodland and up Nessit Hill. It’s a steep climb to the top but it’s worth the effort and at the top are several benches where you can sit back and soak up the views.
And here's the joyous bit: after exploring the forest, head back to Ridgegate Reservoir where you can enjoy a hearty pub meal at the Leather’s Smithy, a cosy, stone-built inn. The pub dates from the 18th century and is named after William Leather, a local farrier who in 1821 obtained the first licence to sell ale and port.
Sounds like a perfect way to see out autumn this weekend, doesn't it? You can read all about it here.
Loving your job TOO much?
Now of course we all love our jobs here at The Manchester Evening News.
But very few of us would have "A Friend Dropping In..." tattooed onto our body. However there are those out there who love what they do so much that they take it to the next level, and features writer Paige Oldfield has this week uncovered one of them: meet Rachel Wallace.
The 39-year-old has paid the ultimate tribute to her gig as a dog groomer by having a huge version of the salon's logo etched on her leg. Rachel, who works at Four Paws Doggie Daycare and Pet Grooming in Northwich, Cheshire, said: "It's a standing joke that I'm not allowed to go anywhere but this really proves I won't. I guess now my leg is part of my CV."
Rachel got her first tattoo when she was 29, a tribute to her dad on her right arm, and has had the tattoo bug ever since. In her impressive collection of inkings is also a paw print tribute to her late Staffie Labrador cross Bonnie and a paw in hand design in honour of her saluki Toffee.
"I absolutely love working with dogs as they don't have any bad in them. Even if they try to bite you it's only because they are scared," she said.
Would you get your place of work tattooed? Mull that over while you read all about it here.
Braving the 5,237 calorie meal
And finally, our news reporter Tom Molloy is far more than a hard-hitting story getter. When he's not reporting on crime scenes and knocking on doors, the Bolton aficionado likes to live life dangerously by taking on some extreme food challenges.
Vimto Camembert loaf? He's eaten it. The 'cheesecake kebab'? He's eaten it. And all in the name of journalism of course.
But this week he is turning his attention to Greene King's new (and eye-catching) menu.
He stared down the 'All the Flamin' Fun of the Fair' sharer, which features two of the signature smoked chicken burgers, skewered with candy floss, along with boneless chicken wings coated in sour cherry cola sauce, popcorn, onion rings, two cream-filled doughnuts, fries, a Sherbet Dip Dab, and a pot of sour cherry cola sauce.
Served on a tray, it is basically a three-course meal and then some, coming in at a whopping 5,237 calories. But did he survive? We hope so, he's a lovely chap. You can read all about it here.
Have a lovely weekend.
