Sunday September 4th.

Breath of Fresh Air. Choice of mileage from Conder Green.

22, 15, or 11 miles                                                       36 persons

Norman says it is the “bestest” birthday he has ever had and he should know. What better way to celebrate his 72^nd than walking one of his favourite routes surrounded by all his friends and with Radio Lancashire star presenter Sally Naden as guest celebrity. Norman has now been a guest twice on Sally’s lunchtime panel for her 11 till 1 show and she is proving such a wonderful supporter and friend for our club. “Stormin’” as she calls him put her on the spot live on air by challenging her to join us all for the Breath of Fresh Air club walk on the actual day of Norman’s big celebration. I was there and if ever I have seen a person’s expression say “please take me now” that was it. She went beetroot red, her jaw dropped and then suddenly a deep breath and she said she’d do it. Bless her cotton socks she could not have done more on the day to join in the fun. We had a little ceremony and photo-shoot at the start as Sally cut the ribbon to “officially” open the route and then off we went. She talked and laughed with everyone and more than once Norman had her in fits of laughter.

An indifferent weather forecast proved to be totally wrong and we had one of the best days of the late summer, cracking visibility, total sunshine, almost too hot if anything. Who would have thought it? Sally marvelled at Glasson Dock, the views of Sunderland Point and the distant Lakes mountains, the Bodie Lane topograph, Plover Sands lighthouse, the ruins of Cockerham Abbey and then the parachutists, it being Sunday they were in full swing! After a quick peep at the marvels of Ellel Hall we reached the Glasson Link on the Lancaster canal and a tired but still laughing and joking Sally and eight others left the main party here to complete the eleven mile route. Ten more left the main party at Aldcliffe to do the 15 mile option whilst 16 hardy souls withstood the soaring temperature to complete the full 22 miles.

What a great event – Happy Birthday Norman – and thanks from us all to Sally Naden!

John Bullen

Jim’s Grassington Walk 7^th September 2011, Leader Jim Ogden, 10 walkers

With the forecast for heavy showers all day we left the car park in Grassington and walked towards the Linton Falls. We then turned right and  walked  along the side of  the River Wharfe until we reached the suspension bridge, we turned left and walked until we reached the village of Hebden which was our mid morning stop, some went into the village café for refreshment. We left Hebden up Town Hill till we reached Hebden Beck, we walked up the beck with the disused mine shafts all around us until we reached Yarnbury for our lunch time stop. 

After lunch we made our way to High Barn, again an area with a lot of disused mine shafts. We then headed to Conistone Dib which we dropped down to reach the village of Conistone for our afternoon break. We then headed back to Grassington passing Bastow Woods and the site of a medieval village. We then picked up the Dales Way path which took us back to Grassington for a well earned drink.  The weather was very kind to us with some light showers and we actually had some sun, so we arrived back quite dry.

My thanks to Bill Taylor for helping me with the recce and being the back marker for the walk.

Jim

Sunday September 18th. Another Wander into Wharfedale.

20 miles from Skipton.

On a dull but fine morning 14 walkers and 1 dog set off alongside the canal. This was soon crossed and the steady climb up Cawder commenced eventually dropping down onto the old coach road. Unfortunately due to low cloud there were no views across the valley. However further along the same road the clouds lifted and the sun came out.

Soon after the coffee stop, the route went through fields crossing several stiles before dropping down to Bolton Bridge. From here we walked up river to the ruins of Bolton Abbey and a pleasant lunch stop.

We then followed the Bridleway to Halton Height and immediately dropped down to the outskirts of Halton East. Afternoon break was taken at the Yorkshire Dales Ice Cream Farm - yum! Paths then took us through Eastby and Embsay then skirting the edge of Skipton Rock Quarry back to the car park in Skipton.

June Reeder

Wednesday September 21st.

Bowland Round Part 5.

14 miles from Giggleswick to Higher Bentham.

Walkers:18

Weather:Predominantly cloudy,with occasional sunshine and heavy showers.

The group met at High Bentham,(the destination of todays walk). We were
then transported by coach to the start of the walk at Giggleswick.

After walking through the village,we passed through the hamlet of
Close House to cross under the main A65 road. From here our objective
was Clapham Station.

We passed on our way several farms with unusual names;Rome, Farther
Rome and Israel.The route so far was new to most of the group if a
little wet underfoot. The countryside was undulating with excellent
views of the Yorkshire Three peaks.

We reached Clapham Station, and after a short break we carried on over
moorland and farmland to reach Greystonegill Bridge crossing the river
Wenning.

After walking alongside the river, the route continued through various
farms, still with excellent views to reach our cars just as the rain
started again. After a quick change most of the group spent a pleasant
half hour in the Coach and Horses Inn adjacent to the car park.

Chris Langabeer

Thank you to Terry Pilkington for the photos.

Wednesday September 28th. Darwen Jubilee Tower and Witton Weaver's Way.

10 miles from Roddlesworth Info Centre. A "Plodder" Walk. Leader: Peter Haslam.

19 walkers and 2 dogs.

This was a David Hudson walk; however due to family commitments he asked for a volunteer to lead in his place. I stepped in and am very glad I did so.  Both the recce and the walk itself took place on glorious sunny days.

19 walkers and two dogs set off after the regulation team photo.  A gentle contour around the base of Darwen Hill before a short, sharp pull had us at The Jubilee Tower for a short break.  Bill kindly escorted a couple of the ladies to the top for even better views.

The Witton Weavers Way was followed to Darwen Moor along Hilary’s least favourite path which has been much improved with the laying of several stretches of flagstones.

A sunny spot was chosen for lunch, overlooking Turton Moor and the long route of the Two Crosses Circuit.  The next point of reference was the Track Junction where the Two Crosses checkpoint 2 is sited.

 Some frisky cattle were encountered with Phil being challenged by a young bull, Hilary and Paul wisely took the dogs by another route.  We passed through the ruins of Hollinshead Hall and onto some lovely woodland paths, before the last climb back to the start and a welcome cuppa.

Various electronic devices were then checked and the consensus was just a shade under 10 miles.

Thanks to Dave for the route.

Peter