Wednesday September 28th. Lancashire Trail Part 5. 13.5 miles. Leaders: Ian Pickup, Norman Thomas.

A group of 22 walkers (plus 1 dog) met in the lay-by near the parish church in Thornton-in-Craven to take the coach to the starting point of the walk at Nick o’ Pendle. On this occasion Chris was not with us as he was starting a new career in furniture removing, somewhere in Yorkshire!

After Norman had completed his customary pre-walk oration at the roadside the group set off in light rain on the ascent of Pendle Hill via Apronfull Hill and Ogden Clough. After crossing the stream coming from Ogden Clough the paved section of the path was met and this led directly to the trig point although visibility was now poor in the cloud enveloping the upper reaches of the hill. This meant, of course, that the superb views we would have enjoyed on a clear day were not to be seen, which was a great shame. The rain, accompanied by a fairly strong wind, had become more persistent and so, after a quick stop for a photograph, the walk continued south along the edge of the hill.

The descent from Pendle was by what is known locally (apparently) as the ‘cart track’ and this led to Pendle House from where the Pendle Way was followed  to Barley for a late coffee stop (we had been on our way for two hours when we reached Barley). Because of the inclement weather many of our number took the opportunity to have lunch since it was thought that it might not be possible to find a sheltered spot later.

From Barley the walk proceeded to White Hough where some pleasant woodland provided temporary respite from the rain. It then continued via Hollin Top and Bank End to eventually reach Admergill where the path has been diverted away from a property. Continuing along Admergill Water a footbridge was crossed leading to a short, steep climb up to Gisburn Old Road. On the eastern side of the road, after a further short ascent, a suitable place was found (above a small quarry) to have a lunch stop; particularly welcome for those who had not eaten earlier. The rain had abated at this point.

After lunch the walk was completed in largely dry conditions, although there was the occasional shower. Lister Well Road (a track) was followed towards Barnoldswick to emerge near Letcliff Hill. Barnoldswick was skirted and the Leeds/Liverpool canal joined at Park Bridge; the towpath leading to Cockshott Bridge from where a path was taken to Salterforth Lane (and a final drinks stop).

The last mile and half of the walk was mainly on field paths. The Pendle Way was re-joined and this led through Thornton Hall Farm to the finish (at around 4pm) and the end of the Lancashire Trail.

After the walk the majority of the group made their way to the Craven Heifer PH in Kelbrook for a well-earned drink. This was followed by fish and chips etc at the Kelbrook Fisheries opposite.

Norman, Chris and myself have really enjoyed planning and leading the Lancashire Trail over the last five months and we hope that those who have taken part have enjoyed it also.

Ian

Wednesday September 21st. Whetstone Wander. 10 miles. Leader: Mike Lee.

Seven walkers and one dog met at Helwith Bridge for the Whetstone Wander. It was suggested that we should refer to ourselves as the Magnificent Seven, but most of us were unconvinced.

Our first destination was a viewing platform at Dry Rigg Quarry. There are three working quarries in the area and we were grateful for a permissive path alongside the quarry road, keeping us separate from the heavy lorries going into the quarries.

It is an understatement to say that Dry Rigg Quarry is impressive. From the viewing platform we could look down into a hole so deep that vehicles in the bottom looked like Dinky toys, whilst above us the quarry face towered hundreds of feet upwards. In an area known for limestone, Dry Rigg Quarry produces a particularly hard and abrasive sandstone used for demanding applications such as the surface of airport runways.

After a morning coffee stop and a visit to another viewing platform, we headed down to the Austwick road, following it for a short distance before turning off into the hamlet of Wharfe. This is the start of an old lane, now just a footpath, leading up Crummack Dale. At first the lane was overhung with Rowan trees resplendent with bright red berries, but as we climbed higher up the dale it opened out to become a grassy path between drystone walls. This afforded us magnificent views up Crummack Dale, surrounded by limestone cliffs.

We then started the climb out of Crummack Dale, heading for the high limestone pavement separating us from Ribblesdale. Part-way through this climb we stopped for lunch near Moughton Whetstone Hole, a spring where whetstones can be found. These whetstones have a hardness and grain-size ideal for sharpening steel blades and were once much sought after for sharpening cut-throat razors. Nowadays it is their green and brown patterned markings that attract people. After lunch, several of the group combed the stream for souvenirs and proudly carried them home.

Ingleborough was clearly visible from the top of the path out of Crummack Dale and some of the group went to a nearby high-spot in the hope adding Whernside to the view, but the intervening fells left them disappointed.

We then crossed the limestone pavement and descended into Horton, where a very helpful local man took a group photograph. Not only did he take the photograph, but he led us to a nearby field where it could be taken showing Pen-Y-Ghent in the background. That’s Yorkshire hospitality.

From Horton we followed the Ribble downstream back to Helwith Bridge, where several members of the group took a lot of interest in Hotel Paradiso (£5 per night) outside the Helwith Bridge Inn. Perhaps they were planning their next holiday!

Thanks to those who came and wandered.

Mike Lee.

Sunday September 18th. Stanza Stones Trail Part 6. 18 miles. Leader: Ken Noble.

After an early start (for some), and a drive through Autumnal mist and fog, 18 walkers, including some from W. Yorkshire Group, arrived safely in sunny Ilkley to find the last Stanza Stone (and another chance to sing the Yorkshire Anthem!) This is the Beck Stone. The writing wasn't easy to read due to moss and lichen growing on it, so here is the poem:-

It is all one chase.
Trace it back the source might be nothing more than a teardrop squeezed from a Curlew’s eye,
then follow it down to the full-throated roar at its mouth - a dipper strolls the river dressed for dinner in a white bib.
The unbroken thread of the beck with its nose for the sea all flux and flex, soft-soaping a pebble for thousands of years, or here after hard rain, sawing the hillside in half with its chain.

Or here, where water unbinds and hangs at the waterfall’s face, and just for that one, stretched white moment becomes lace.

As we left Ilkley on the Dales Way, Ilkley Moor was still shrouded in mist, but it was clear when we arrived just after lunch, giving us fine views across Wharfedale to the Embsay railway, Bolton Abbey and beyond.

Some awkward wall stiles resulted in some awkward styles for getting over them. Michael rose to the challenge of entering a culvert after reading the warning, “Abandon hope all ye who enter here!” and Angela climbed the “Noon Stone”.  See photos!

Thanks to everyone who supported the walk.

Ken

Click here for Ken's photos.

Click here for Howard's photos.

Pictures below from Hilary

Wednesday September 14th. Marsden Meander. 10 miles. Leader: Mike Lee.

A group of eleven walkers assembled in the mist at Marsden Station. However, the weather forecast was for the mist to clear by noon, so we set off confident in the knowledge that the most spectacular views would come in the afternoon after the mist had burned off. Twelve o’ clock came and went, as did one o’ clock, and the mist was still there obscuring any distant views. The sun finally broke through about 2 pm, by which time we had walked in the mist along the canal to Tunnel End, negotiated a very wet path to March Haigh Reservoir, walked along Standedge on the Pennine Way and descended across Thieves Clough Bridge to the Carriage House pub - all in the mist.

The sun came out just in time for our second ascent of the day up to the quarry on Pule Hill housing the first of Simon Armitage’s stanza stones, “Snow”. There is also a viewpoint with a milestone informing all that it is precisely forty five and a quarter miles to Ilkley, home of the final stanza stone. Only Alma and Dave had been in the quarry before, on the first leg of the Stanza Stones Trail.

From the quarry we climbed to the wooden cross war memorial on the end of Pule Hill overlooking Marsden. At last we had some of the views we had hoped to have earlier in the day. Then leaving the cross behind us, we descended to the bottom of the Wessenden Valley and, ignoring a “footpath closed” sign, continued into Marsden to end the walk.

Thanks to all who came.

Mike.

Thank you to Don for the pictures below.

Wednesday September 7th. A Breath of Fresh Air. 16 miles. Leader: Norman Thomas

Just 3 days after my birthday, we had 21 walkers and 4 dogs on this, the 7^th year of the walk.  The sun shone all day, very hot indeed.  For the walkers who did not make it, you missed a real cracker, fun, sun and smiles all day and a lorra lorra laughs!

We set a good pace towards Lancaster and had a break at the village of Aldcliffe, joining the canal towpath for 3 ½ miles for lunch at the locks at Galgate then over the fields through a huge corn jungle, onwards to Cockerham village.  We enjoyed an afternoon break at the Black Knights parachute club where we watched the Skydivers, a wonderful sight.

Onwards to Cockerham’s ruined abbey then to see Plover Scar lighthouse, we talked to the workmen about to repair it, as it had been damaged by a passing ship, and then finally to Glasson and Conder Green. 

A big big thank you to all you wonderful walkers, not forgetting my bestest pal Stanley-Ray.

Thank you all.

Stormin Norman

Click here for Howard's Pictures.

A Breath of Fresh Air, 7^th September 2016

Norman’s got this thing about lighthouses. If there’s even the slightest chance of including one in a walk it’s a dead cert that he’ll incorporate it somehow. This has led to many a sorry tale of navigation gone wrong, too many miles etc.

But today we decided to humour him, he’d just had his birthday y’see and advancing years are taking their toll on the old bugger.

‘A Breath of Fresh Air’ is a route that Norman devised when he was a young whippersnapper of 70, Each year, around his birthday, he leads this walk in the (vain) hope that fellow members of the East Lancs LDWA will buy him lots of beer at the apres. Fortunately the members are wise to his ways and he always ends up having to put his hand in his pocket. It’s tough being a retired plumber.

After a quick pre-flight check and photo call we left Conder Green’s Pay & Display Car Park (which was free ‘cos the ticket machine was jammed) and walked north along a disused railway track

The sun shone strongly and lashings of ginger beer sun cream were (was?) being applied to bare bits of flesh in an attempt to avoid nasty sunburn.

At Aldcliffe a call for elevenses went out, it was only 3 miles or so into the walk but it was hot and I don’t think anyone objected to such an early stop. A convenient wall provided seating, trees provided a little but much needed shade.

Suitably rested, fed and watered, Norman once again sped off – now heading south along the western bank of the Lancaster Canal.

After four miles of fast-ish flatness our leader decided it was time for his troops to lunch at a lovely lock-side spot, just south of Galgate. This was a very leisurely affair – there was plenty of time to catch up with all the current LDWA scandal and gossip…..but I’m sworn to secrecy – so no boddice ripping tales will pass my lips. Well not until the dust has settled.

Our route left the canal towpath and we headed towards St Michael and All Angels Church in Cockeram, a fine bulding if ever there was one. I’ve been this way on other walks and have always wanted a peek inside. Bits of the building date back to 1589, there’s little doubt that parts are considerably older. Today a service was being conducted so once again my plan for a quick church explore was foiled. Curses.

A couple of miles further and another stop beckoned, this time for cold drinks and ice creams – very welcome in such high temperatures. The venue for this much needed stop was the airfield at Cockerham, home of the Black Knights Parachute Team. As with previous visits to the airfield, the team were in action – and what a glorious day to be pushed out of an aeroplane at 15,000 ft.

Leaving the airfield by the tradesmen’s entrance we were marched towards the coast – and a fine example of salt marsh.

The next point of interest, Cockersand Abbey, looks nothing like an abbey – it looks more a little chapel / church, a fine build nonetheless.

Just visible from the abbey is Plover Scar Lighthouse, set off the coast, in the River Lune estuary. Although the lighthouse is small and isn’t normally manned, there’s apparently it offers some very basic accommodation and a fireplace – presumably in case lighthouse staff were marooned because of bad weather.

The lighthouse suffered a bit of a prang earlier this year, a passing vessel barged into it causing some damage to the cast iron structure. It still works as a lighthouse but is currently undergoing repairs by a specialist welding company.

Northwards now, heading towards the fleshpots of Glasson Dock, world famous for it’s docks. Although still officially a working sea port, it seems to be more suited to leisure craft these days – it has quite an extensive marina.

So that was that. A flat 16 mile walk in excellent company, stories told, beer drunk….and then we all went home for tea.

Thanks to Norman for leading the walk and everyone else who walked the route – you all made it a grand day out.

Thanks!

John Jocys

Click here for John's Pictures.