December Delights


Wednesday December 21st. Ribchester Rumble. 14 miles. Leader: Roger Jackson.

 

A party of 20 set off from the former Roman settlement of Ribchester for this pre-Christmas walk , on a wet and cloudy day.  Walking past the Roman Museum we followed the River Ribble initially along a lane which later became a track. Passing Osbaldeston Hall , on the far side of the river , and Hothersall Hall , we then turned right inland across a series of muddy fields and challenging stiles to reach our short mid-morning coffee stop in a small grassy hollow next to Boyces Brook. 

Continuing on over more muddy fields (and interesting stiles) we eventually reached our lunch stop of Hurst Green where we found some welcome shelter.

After lunch in improving weather we joined the Ribble Way , heading back to Ribchester , arriving back just before dark just in time for a quick drink in the White Bull Pub before heading home.

Roger 

 

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Sunday December 18th. Stormin Norman's 20th Christmas Cracker 2016. 16 miles. Leader: Norman Thomas.

 

There were 52 walkers (the Leigh girls joined us at lunch time).  Weather was perfect, wonderfully sunny, everybody in good spirits and ready to go.

Because of the many walkers I changed the route again, I decided to keep mainly to tracks if possible.  We made our way through Rivington woods, up to Wilderswood and decided to leave out Two Lads Hill and made our way to the Pike with wonderful views.  Onwards through the Japanese Gardens, Rivington Village and then to a small wood with a decorated Christmas Tree where we broke into song with ‘Winter Wonderland’ and ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’ followed by a minutes silence for absent friends no longer with us; thank you. 

 We made our way to our lunch stop at The Bay Horse in Adlington where we enjoyed Hot Pot, well done Karl and his team, A1 again, thanks.  Onwards down to the canal for a couple of miles, onto Blackrod, through the golf course over the motorway and into Lower Horwich, towards the Castle and then back to base.

Did we enjoy it, oh no we didn’t, oh yes we did!!  I thought one of the best in 20 years.  A big big thanks to all the walkers for making it a stormin day.

Thanks a million

Stormin Norman

Click here to see and hear the East Lancs choir of 2016.

Click here for Peter's pictures.

Click here for Howard's Pictures.

Thank you to Viv for the pictures below.

Thank you to Mark for the pictures below.

 

Wednesday December 7th. Park Life. 14 miles. Leaders: Dave and Alma Walsh.

 

We named this walk Park Life as the route is mainly through a procession of parks. Before we set off I asked the walkers to make a note of the number of parks & their names as they would be 'tested' later.
 
We set off (14 gentlemen, 1 lady & 1 dog) from the start at Moses Gate Country Park crossing the Irwell, through the woods & then back over the Irwell to follow an 'up & down' path through woods which ran roughly parallel to the Bolton to Manchester railway line. Over a road & through an industrial estate we reached another path which led us to our coffee break stop in Clifton Country Park.
 
Continuing along the Irwell after passing under the M62 we crossed another bridge still continuing eastwards towards Salford. The parks were coming thick & fast, Prestwich Forest Park, Forest Bank Park, Drinkwater Park & Waterdale Park.
 
We had lunch in one of the parks, hard to tell where one ended & the next one started, where minced pies were dished out. We then headed North West through Phillips Park & recrossed the M62 to pass Sedgley Park Rugby Union ground.
 
Following Phillips Park road we dropped onto the Irwell Sculpture Trail, recrossed the Irwell again & followed the disused canal to the Meccano Bridge at Nob End. A further stint along the canal took us back to the cars at Moses Gate.
 
Ian managed to name all the 8 parks & took the prize. Bernard also named the 8 plus another which we didn't think existed so as he had named nine we put him into second place. Bernard subsequently came up with documentary evidence that Kearsley Park does in fact exist. We bowed to his superior knowledge. He should be known as 'The Master of the Parks'
 
Good to see John Crook again.
 
Dave Walsh
 
 

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