Jaunts in June
Wednesday 29th June, Lancashire Trail Part 2, 15 1/2 miles, Leaders: Norman Thomas, Chris Langabeer & Ian Pickup.
A group of 22 walkers met near the Lower Barn at Rivington to take the minibus to the Miller and Carter Hotel on Parbold Hill; the starting point of the walk.
The rain, which had started before the group departed from Rivington, was to persist for most of the day. However, this did not deter Norman from giving his usual pre-walk address which this time included a presentation to Chris to mark a recent significant birthday!
The route was initially north towards Harrock Hill via High Moor and already a significant amount of water was accumulating on the footpaths. There is the ruin of an old windmill on Harrock Hill but, in the prevailing weather conditions, nobody was stopping to look at that.
At Harrock Hill the walk turned eastwards passing Toogood Farm before emerging on the B5250 at Mossy Lea near Wrightington Bar. After a short walk along the road the route was amended to avoid the very awkward (in the conditions) footpath through Chisnall Wood. Instead Chisnall Lane (a track) was taken and this led us to the footbridge over the M6 motorway. Just beyond this a sheltered spot in the wood was found for the morning coffee break.
After the break the walk crossed Stars Brook to reach Langtree Old Hall Farm near the A49 (Preston Road). Beyond the A49 the path along Hic Bibi Brook was followed although Hic Bibi Well, which is marked by a low stone tablet, was not spotted amongst the undergrowth. The railway was crossed near Standish, leading then to the modernised property of WrenallsHall in the vicinity of which were a couple of deer sculptures (reasonably realistic from a distance). This presented a photo opportunity , of course!
There was now a break in the rain and so the chance to have lunch was taken at Worthington Lakes. Most people had to remain standing but at least it was dry. On resuming the walk the route passed through Wigan Golf Club and then proceeded eastwards again to Little Scotland where the former Gallaghers Inn has become Susannah’s. From there it was through Blackrod, past the Community Centre, to reach the A6.
On crossing the A6 a problem arose in that the path which crosses the railway and leads on to the M61 was closed at the railway crossing. This necessitated a diversion via Douglas Valley Golf Course which added a mile to the original route. However, after walking through Rivington Services the original route was re-joined and, in improving weather, the group soon arrived at Dryfield Lane in Horwich. The last mile or so back to Rivington Barn was completed in bright sunshine. Finally most of the group retired to the Crown Inn for a welcome post-walk drink.
Despite the bad weather most people seemed to enjoy the walk and we hope they will join us for Part 3 of the Lancashire Trail – Rivington to Billinge Hill – on July 27th.
Ian
Thank you to Don for the pictures.
Wednesday June 22nd. The wonders of Malham and more. 18 miles. Leader: Geoff Halliwell
Click here to view Howard's pictures
Wednesday June 15th. Ryburn Round. Plodder Walk. 11 miles. Leader: Mike Lee.
The morning of this walk coincided with traffic chaos on the M62. This prevented some members from getting to the walk and delayed others in reaching the start. Fortunately, Heather had a cunning plan to keep the walk on time. Whilst those already assembled started the walk with only a slight delay, she waited at the car park and led latecomers along a short-cut to meet the main group a couple of miles into the walk.
Baitings Reservoir was opened in 1957 and, along with Ryburn Reservoir below it, was built to supply water to Wakefield. The main group set off by crossing the impressive 185 ft high dam. Then, after passing a couple of farms and a hamlet, we descended to the track along the heavily wooded shore of the Ryburn Reservoir. This led us to the dam of the reservoir (another impressive structure), arriving just in time to meet Heather’s group, which swelled our number to 14 people and two dogs.
We continued down the Ryburn valley alongside the River Ryburn until we reached the Calderdale Way at Ripponden church. Up to now the route had been all downhill. This now changed as we climbed out of Ripponden following the Calderdale Way to Soyland Town. We then made a steep descent into the village of Mill Bank, followed by an ascent out of the village up a wooded track, which provided shelter for our lunch stop.
After lunch we climbed out of the wood, leaving the Calderdale Way to descend to the church at Cotton Stones. From there we started the climb to the ridge separating the Ryburn Valley from Cragg Vale. This ridge gives panoramic views of Halifax, Cragg Vale, Stoodley Pike and the hills beyond. Fortunately, the cloud was just high enough to allow us to enjoy these views.
Water Stalls Road, an old road which is now little more than a footpath in places, runs along the ridge and we followed it until the ridge rises onto Manshead Hill.
Just before the hill are the remains of a brick-built air-raid shelter. Apparently this dates from WW2, when it was used by a small group of men who had the job of putting lights on the hill during air raids in the hope that German bombers would mistake them for Halifax and bomb them instead. Presumably, an air raid shelter was an essential part of their kit!
Crossing the hill, we reached the high point of Manshead End. We had now walked almost full-circle and from Manshead End we could look down on Baitings Reservoir in the valley below. From here a gentle descent took us past the old Blue Ball pub, now a private house, and back to the cars.
Mike
Sunday June 12th. Stanza Stones Trail, Part 3. 22 miles. Leader: Ken Noble.
17 walkers and 1 dog left Hebden Bridge in search of the 3rd. Stanza Stone, the Mist Stone. The forecast wasn't good but we had some sunshine to start with, and a few showers after lunch.
The first few miles were nice and easy on the Rochdale Canal even though we had to leave it due to flood damage work being carried out on one section.
Then came the first of the climbs. This was up to Withins Gate where we left the Trail on the previous walk. Our morning break was taken at Stoodley Pike.
From the Pike we descended back to Hebden Bridge where some picked up further suppliesfrom their cars, before the second climb up to Chiserley. Then onto Wadsworth Moor where we stopped for lunch, descending again to Catherine House Lane and the Castellated Lowe Farm.
The 3rd climb was to Heights Lodges, another Castellated building, and then over Warley Moor, where they nearly lost their leader in a swamp as I sank up to mid thigh! Thanks to Barbara's quick thinking in finding a plank of wood, and the efforts of some of the others, I was soon extricated with only black legs and swampy boots to show for it. (Some were more interested in taking photos!) (Guilty as charged - Julie & Hilary)
We followed the road past Warley Moor Reservoir to the path onto Nab Hill and the “Mist Stone”.
After a short stop, we retraced our steps to Lowe Farm, carefully avoiding the swamp, then a tough climb back onto Wadsworth Moor. It was downhill all the way back to Hebden Bridge now, through buttercup meadows and lanes. One of the ginnels approaching Hebden Bridge proved to be quite slippy due to the rain on the cobbles. Some played safe and stayed with the road, but the others negotiated the cobbles unscathed.
Ken Noble.
Click on the link to see Ken's pictures.
Click on the link to see Howard's pictures.
Wednesday June 8th. Fairy Trails. 14 miles. Leaders: Dave and Alma Walsh.
Thursday June 2nd. After the Dorset 100. 18 miles, 2382 feet ascent. Leader: Ken Noble.
A walk in Dorset for marshals and any entrants whose feet were still in reasonable condition.
11 walkers, including 2 Dorset 100 completers plus John & Rosie and Chris & Glenis from Staffs. group left The Mill House in Maiden Newton under cloudy skies and a cool breeze. We followed the Wessex Ridgeway to Sydling St. Nicholas and then paths and lanes to Cerne Abbas and the Giant.
The skies got brighter as the day and the walkers progressed.
From the Cerne Abbas giant, we went north to pick up the 100 route at Minterne Parva which we followed to Frome St. Quintin. Here we turned south to make our way back to Maiden Newton and a well-earned pot of tea.
Ken Noble.
Click here for Ken's 100 and social walk pictures
Click here for Julies Pictures of Ken's social walk.
Old Scotland Road to Staveley. Plodder Walk. Wednesday 1st June. 12 miles. Leader: Neil Woodcock.
Eight Plodders gathered at Wilf’s Café, Staveley, on a lovely Lake District morning to “finish” The Dale’s Way.
This walk was to fill in the “missed bit” from last year’s series of Dales’ Way Plods.
On the penultimate stage, Sedbergh to Grayrigg Foot, the last three or four miles left the prescribed route because of fading light, and was walked on metalled road rather than through soggy fields in half light. The final leg was walked from Burneside to Bowness missing out the Grayrigg Foot to Burneside section due to lack of time and conditions underfoot.
It was noted before setting off that Sprint Bridge might not be open because it had been damaged during the floods.
Neil diverted to Burneside to check it out before meeting up at Staveley and gave the good news that it was walkable.
The eight Plodders drove to the starting point just before the M6 crossing in two cars, parking just above the stile off Old Scotland Road.
The “missing bit” was from here to Burneside but Neil decided that this might be too short for some of the Plodders and he had also been told about Wilf’s Café in Staveley and thought this would be a fitting end on the final completion of The Dales’ Way.
A drink stop was had just before Grayrigg Foot and lunch was taken at Black Moss Tarn. At this point some members of the party felt his estimation of the distance was wrong and that it was going to be nearer 15 miles than 12!
Talk was had en route to Burneside of taxis and trains but on arrival at Burneside only 8 miles had been done and there was definitely only 4 more to do as some of the party had done that stretch in December.
Three members decided to take the train to Staveley from here while the rest proceeded on foot.
All met up in Staveley around the same time and a light meal was enjoyed in Wilf’s Café.
It was a good ending to the series of plods the weather being very kind, offering decent views and good underfoot.
Neil Woodcock
Thank you to Don for the pictures.
