April Fools and snow


Sunday April 29th. Bronte Round. 24.5 miles. Leader: Steve Clark.

 

Setting off from Hebden Bridge we were soon getting warm travelling up the valley to Hardcastle Crags.  At Walshaw we came out from the shelter of the valley and up on the moors and the north east wind made it feel quite chilly at times.  Then the sun would come out to play briefly and warm us a little.  Coffee was taken at 6 miles, on meeting the minor road at Grain Water bridge where some of the group choose to walk a little up the hill to come before also stopping for a coffee.

 

Altogether again we made our way over Top of Stairs and along Stair Lane, then down and eventually into Haworth.  Here we collected Sue who joined us for the remainder of the walk.  The consensus was to find somewhere a little further along the route to stop for lunch.  Off we headed to Ian’s suggestion of Bronte Bridge and at 13 miles stopped in the shelter afforded by the valley there.

 

Setting off again we climbed to meet the Pennine Way at Top Withins, then down walking past the reservoirs of Walshaw Dean.  Finding our way to the Pack Horse pub proved a little tricky with the possibility of a new right of way or an altered right of way but once at the Pack Horse we dropped down to the valley behind it to navigate to our third stop of the day at Blake Dean.  We now followed a slightly different route back along Hardcastle Crags and through to Hebden Bridge.  A small party stopped to sample the ales at Calan’s micropub.  The remainder of the group returned directly carpark to finish at 17:45.  We were 18 walkers and one dog.  24.5 miles and 1,072 metres of ascent were recorded.  Thanks to all who joined the walk.

 

Steve

 

Click here for Steve's pictures

 

 

Wednesday April 25th. Brock and Roll. 14 miles. Leaders: Dave and Alma Walsh.

 

 

The journey time to the start had been speeded up by the recent opening of the new bypass at Broughton which cut out the long delays usually encountered at the busy crossroads. 

 

Seventeen of us plus Maude left the free car park (toilets provided with hot water & paper towels - a rare luxury) & set off up a track towards Beacon Fell Country Park. The weather was cool & with rain showers predicted for the afternoon everyone was well wrapped up. Bernard the Brave however was dressed in shorts. We climbed to the trig point & then followed a path to the other side of the park & went down a steep slippy grass/mud bank.

 

We then followed the road down hill to Brockmill & took advantage of the seating & picnic benches for an early coffee stop. We then followed the River Brock to Walmsley Bridge where we left the river & headed North East over farmer's fields & stopped for lunch in a little wood. Continuing on in the same direction our leader "took one for the team" being sucked into the mud on a particularly bad track. We then continued passing Bleasdale Tower & reached Brooks Barn.

 

A tarmac section & muddy fields took us to Bleasdale School & then on to Blindhurst Farm. Just south of the farm we stopped for a drink & sweetie stop while Viv & Barbara rescued a hedgehog which was trapped under a cattle grid. From there we made our way back to Beacon Fell & followed the same track back to the car park at Carwags.

 

Bernards' decision to wear shorts had paid off as it remained dry all day & we even had sunshine.

 

Thanks to all who attended, sorry about all the wonky stiles. Not a peek from Maude on the way home, fast asleep on the back seat.

 

Dave & Alma.

 

Thank you to Dave for the pictures below.

 

Pictures below from Hilary.

 

 

 

Wednesday April 4th. Not the Arndale You Know. 14 miles. Leader: Don Watson.

 
Twelve walkers and Maude the dog met at Silverdale Parish Church on a very wet morning to take in the usually splendid views and paths of the AONB. But alas, the dirty dozen set off in the direction of The Pepperpot, a monument built to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria, situated on the top of King William's Hill. The rain was still pouring as we descended through Eaves Wood and onward through Holgates Caravan Site to Arnside Tower which was a Pele Tower built in the late fourteenth century to protect Cumbrian folk from raiding Scotts.
 
From there we walked through sodden fields to Hazelslack Tower  where we gathered to ascend the path up to Fairy Steps and meet Neil who was waiting to join party for the latter part of the walk. The dirty dozen were now the baker's dozen!
 
We then walked through the woods to the sleepy village of Storth where we sat round the war memorial and enjoyed lunch in the sunshine.
 
We then walked down to Sandside where we joined the disused railway bed and walked along the path for a couple of miles into Arnside. From here we would follow the coastal path through New Barns Caravan Site and the cliff path to Far Arnside and through Holgates Caravan Site down to The Cove and over The Lots to Silverdale Village and our cars
.
Thank you to those who travelled the distance to join me on the walk and hope that despite the mixed weather the walk around Silverdale and Arnside was enjoyed.
 
Don
 

 

Monday April 2nd. Little Ray of Sunshine. 17 miles. Leader: Norman Thomas.

What can I say?  I woke at 7:00am and it was raining cats and dogs!  I had my breakfast, looked out of the window and it was snowing very very hard.  By 8:30am it had put a lot of snow down.  I decided to walk up to the start point, it was not good, the roads were very bad.  When I arrived there were 17 brave souls waiting for me. 

I decided to completely alter the route and keep it low level.  We followed the Amble route out to lunch at White Coppice.  Betty and myself had driven over the day before to make sure the café would be open, we were told it would be open 11-5 because of the bank holiday.  I’d promised our group they could look forward to bacon butties, sausage rolls, egg sandwiches, hot drinks etc.  Oh no, when we arrived the café was closed due to heavy snow!  I had to explain to the walkers I was very sorry indeed.

For the afternoon we kept to the low level apart from Healey Nab, onwards to Rivington and the Castle then back to base.  We had a new lady from Preston on the walk, she said she enjoyed it and would walk with us again, brilliant news.  Rocket Rod was with us but decided not to get his rocket out today!  Well done Ron and all the other walkers.

Happy Walking

Norman

Click here to read Martin's blog.