July, sunshine at last?


Wednesday July 27th. Lancashire Trail Part 3. Rivington to Billinge Hill. 16.5 miles. Leaders: Norman Thomas, Chris Langabeer, Ian Pickup.

 

We met at the Clog & Billycock Pub at 8:50am.  Our journey to the bottom barn at Rivington was a scenic route, the coach driver must have thought we were on a tour of countryside and motorway, we did arrive at last at Rivington Barn at 9:40am.  I did my little talk about things in general.  There were 26 walkers and 2 dogs, please note the dogs were 100% very good, the owners so so!

The weather was overcast and rain was in the air but it did not rain, later the sun came out and we had very good views indeed.  We went to White Coppice and enjoyed a mid morning break at Drinkwaters Farm. We looked at Joe’s memorial stone and his cup, Joe was a Wigan fell runner. I took his cup and drank from a well nearby with my very good pal Stanley.

Then on to Great Hill and Roddlesworth Woods where we had lunch, then onwards to Abbey Village. We managed to cross the river where the bridge had been damaged with floods.  Mid afternoon we joined the Leeds Liverpool canal and had a weight lifting contest, much fun!

Onwards to Riley Green, Houghton Bottoms, towards Billinge Hill and then to the Clog & Billycock Pub for well earned refreshments. 

Thanks to you all for a wonderful day out.

Norman

Pictures from Don

Pictures from Hilary

 


Sunday July 24th. A Chunk of the Pendle Way. 18.3 miles. Leader: Michael Bushby.

 

Pendle would get my vote as the finest hill in the north (therefore, by definition, the country).  It's got a proper shape, has varied and interesting access points, is attainable by most folk but is still a decent work-out.  It witnessed witchcraft, the Quaker movement and Industrial Revolution, and has fabulous 360 degree views.  What other hill could offer so much? 

 

This was the first of three (hopefully) loops to cover the Pendle Way, beginning on the edge of Burnley.  Seventeen of us headed down Ightenhill Park Lane, over the River Calder (scene of many childhood escapades for the leader) and on to Higham then Newchurch.  The single unisex loo meant an earlier-than-usual morning break proved convenient.  The heavy showers that were forecast didn't quite materialise but from hereon in it was on-off with the waterproofs.  A Yorkshireman in the group had a strange view that the Pendle Way wouldn't summit the hill that gave the route its name but was happy to be proved wrong.  Or maybe it was that weird white rose humour?!  After pausing to admire the views, the descent was notable for the number of impeccably attired locals in Burnley FC gear. 


Lunch in Barley was accompanied by drizzle and the sight of ample bras hanging off the stone walls.  The local WI had planted them up as a fundraiser.  They were selling tea and coffee, served in two large cups.  The afternoon turned more pleasant weather-wise, and a highlight for Viv and Barbara was finding some superb wild raspberries.  They vowed to return.   The route became less scenic for a while as we left the Pendle Way at Barrowford  (cue discussion of how it's pronounced) and wound through the mean streets of Nelson.  The afternoon break on the banks of Pendle Water was enlivened by ants preventing some of us from sitting comfortably, then we re-joined the official route at Reedley Hallows to follow the Calder before a final short climb back to the cars.A good work-out, not too strenuous, weather better than anticipated lovely scenery, and tea and cake unexpectedly laid on at the Bushby senior homestead, so a satisfying day all round.

Michael

Click here for Julies Pictures

 

 

Wednesday July 13th. Woodland, Sea & Wildlife. 14 miles. Leader: John Rowe

 
Well done the 16 hardy walkers (and travellers) who made it up to Arnside for this 14 mile (yes it was actually 14 miles - Chris L said so) walk around the Arnside area. Alma upheld the Sisterhood on her own but the 15 men were remarkably well behaved.
 
We climbed Arnside Knott early, then went by a rather circuitous route through Eaves Wood to Hawes Water, only to find another group had taken possession of the perfectly-placed benches overlooking the water. Even Norman's pleas and threats couldn't displace them so we made our way up to the Fairy Steps for lunch instead. A passing D of E group leader kindly instructed us in the legend of the Steps and told us we wouldn't get up with rucksacks on - duly challenged, we all did.
 
In the afternoon we progressed through Beetham, Dallam Park and the village of Storth, returning to Arnside (and the Albion pub) along the disused railway track. The weather held pleasantly dry until the last 100 yards.Thanks to all who came.
 
John Rowe
 
Thanks to Don for the pictures below
 
 
 

Sunday July 10th. Stanza Stones Trail Part 4. 18 miles. Leader: Ken Noble.

 

16 walkers and 1 dog left the carpark in Bingley .The weather forecast wasn’t particularly good, but we only had a couple of showers all day.

The first part of the walk was devised to get to the end of the 3rd Stanza Stones circuit and was mostly uphill.

Somebody shouted “Kingfisher!” and 16 pairs of eyes immediately swivelled in their sockets to see the flash of turquoise as it skimmed over the river Aire.

Not much time to get the leg muscles warmed up before we encountered the first climb which took us onto Alter Lane, which we soon left to take a detour St. Ives!

We had an early morning break at Lady Blantyre’s Rock and then followed the path to re-join Alter Lane, which we followed to its end.

We’d walked on part of the Calder/Aire Link path earlier, and now we followed it to Hainworth. Now we followed the Worth Way through Cross Roads and then left it to head for Haworth Brow. After another short section of footpath we had a long stretch of road due to the footpaths being overgrown.

Leaving the road, we dropped down to Leeming Reservoir then started the climb up to join the Calder/Aire Link path again, and the short steep climb to the Stanza Stones Trail. Unfortunately one of the walkers started to feel unwell and had to leave the walk before we got to the stone. A friend went with her to get a taxi back to Bingley. We had lunch near the Mist Stone.

It was mainly downhill now, although even Mr. Thomas would have had difficulty rolling his proverbial marble all the way back to Bingley!

Yet again we picked up the Calder/Aire Link path and followed it all the way to Goitstock Wood where we had a short stop at the waterfall.

After crossing the road at the garden centre we had a short climb through the woods and then downhill all the way to the finish.

Ken Noble.

 

Click here for Ken's pictures.

 

 

An ABC of East Lancs . Wednesday 6th July, 2016. 12 miles. Leader: Don Watson.

 

Twenty one walkers and two dogs assembled at Norden terminus on a decent day ready to discover the ABC of East Lancs (Ashworth, Birtle and Cheesden).

The party set off down Blackpits Road and then through the woods above Naden Brook to meet School Lane which we crossed and went down to Carr Wood where we saw the ruins of the first of the many water powered cotton mills in this and other nearby valleys.

We then ascended through the woods to the hamlet of Ashworth Fold which we walked through and left the road after the cottages and farms to walk through the fields skirting the Ashworth Valley scout camp down to cross Cheesden Brook. We then climbed a slippery path through the woods to reach the open fields with views over Manchester . We walked through the pleasant fields to approach the village of Birtle crossing Elbut Lane at the Pack Horse.

After walking past a couple of fishing lodges above the fashionable apartments and attractive Pavilion restaurant with its bowling green we came to a quirky passage under a cottage which took us to a well hidden but passable path upwards and towards Old Birtle and Scotland Lane. Here we stopped for our first refreshment break with views towards Knowl Hill, the Cheesden Valley and Deeply Vale. In the distance Windy Hill on the Pennine Way could be seen as could the Derbyshire Hills.

We then set off along Scotland Lane where Peel Tower at Holcombe could be seen with Winter Hill in the distance.

At the end of the lane we turned right towards Cob House Nab on our way to Croston Close Road and the old school house at Buckhurst. After a couple of hundred yards we took the path to Croston Close Bottoms towards the best preserved mill ruins at Lumb Bridge . Two of the group decided to have their lunch there and return to Norden through the fields, omitting the ascent of Knowl Hill.

The rest of the group started the walk towards the summit of Knowl Hill, knowing that the reward for conquering the hill would be a welcome break and lunch with stunning views.

Well refreshed and the donkey work done, we descended a steep path to the three Naden reservoirs. After circumnavigating the reservoirs we came to Greenbooth reservoir from where we walked down Greenbooth Road to the cars at Norden.

The majority of the party enjoyed a welcome drink and natter at the Bridge Inn.

Thanks to you all for your company on a pleasant day in the valleys and on the hills surrounding Rochdale .

Don

 

 

The pictures below are from Paul Woodcock.

 

 

The pictures below are from Don.

 

 

 

Sunday July 3rd. Hey Diddle Diddle (Take 2) 18 miles. Leader: Bob James.

 

Not a single drop of Rain!! So it was for the lucky 11 who took part in this 2nd attempt to complete the 'Hey Diddle Diddle ( take 2)' walk from the famous Cat & Fiddle Pub on the A537 Macclesfield to Buxton road. We also had a special guest appearance from Andrea who had travelled all the way up from Aylesbury in Bucks to get “wowed” by our Northern delights.  Sadly the Pub is closed for unspecified reasons which is a great shame with so many people (there was not just us up there) wanting to pay a visit.

Our walk began by going down hill and west before climbing up onto Shining Tor and being rewarded with views right across Cheshire and into Lancashire; so different from our 1st attempt 2.5 years ago when we couldn't see more than 50 yards. Along the Ridge taking in Pym's Chair, Windgather Rocks and Taxal Edge before dropping down to the Goyt Valley and the head of Fernilee Reservoir. We had our morning stop sat by the waters edge.

Elevenses over with, we resumed by climbing up to Errwood Reservoir, crossing over the Dam Wall and turning back south to travel up the single track road to Derbyshire Bridge and lunch. My apologies for the facilities being closed – something I can't explain as they were open 3 days earlier. Sue & Steve had been expected to leave us here though bravely decided to keep with us as we crossed the A537 onto Axe Edge Moor then dropping down to Orchard Farm. Turning once more, this time westwards, we stayed along the ridge affording views into Staffordshire.

After the Quarry we tackled the strange and dangerous stile that crossed the A54 leading onto Whetstone Ridge and Danebower Hollow. This led us on our final leg back to the Cat & Fiddle with large crowds scratching their heads and wondering why - on such a fine day - they couldn't get a drink. Half of the party needed to to get on with going home whilst the rest opted to visit the Peak View Tea Rooms just one minute away from our start. Tea, Cake and Coffee enjoyed by those who had the time. A good day overall.

And not a single drop of rain

Bob

Thank you to Julie for the pictures below.