Bluebells and sunshine in May


Wednesday May 23rd. A visit to old friends (or is it!!!) 15 miles. Leader: John Thompson.

 

14 walkers set out on a very warm and sometimes windy day from Marles wood up to Bradley wood, then down and across Ribchester bridge. Along the Ribble Way then left to Lower Dutton and Gallows Lane (no hanging about here!).

Onto Duddel wood and morning break and then to Starling brook and up to Bailey Hall , Merricks Hall and Hurst Green for an early lunch. 

Onwards down to Lambing Clough and back to the Ribble Way and Ribchester Bridge, up to lower Cadshaw (where the secateurs came out). Then to Bolton Hall, Park Gate, Dinckley Grange ( afternoon break ) then making our way to Aspinalls, Cravens, then to a boarded up and bent Dinckley foot bridge.

Along the river back to the car park (via a nice little climb) after which some visited the Ribchester Arms

15 miles total.

Thanks to Nick for his help ( and we all hope you get better very soon)

Thanks to all who came.

Hope you had a good time with your udder friends Alma.

See you soon

John

 

 

Sunday May 20th. In search of Slaters ice cream. 20 miles. Leader: Ken Noble.

On a beautifully sunny morning, 17 walkers left Foulridge on the Leeds/Liverpool Canal to search for Slater's ice cream. The bad news is, they didn't find any! Usually this is followed by good news, and that was that they found Wallings ice cream, which was delicious!
After a stretch on the canal to warm up the legs, we started the ascent up Weets Hill where we had our morning break.
Then we descended to the outskirts of Blacko on our way to Barley and the lunch stop. Here, Hazel joined us. She'd been to a wedding the day before. No, not THAT wedding.
Soon, we found ourselves climbing again, past the Ogden Reservoirs and over the tail of Pendle Hill on our way to the well earned ice creams.
Into Barrowford and back to the Leeds/Liverpool Canal. When we reached the mile tunnel, I was led astray by Hazel who took us on an old railway track back to Foulridge.
A small group had a cuppa at the Cargo Cafe before setting off home.

Thanks to everyone for supporting the walk.

Ken.

 

 

Click here to see Ken's pictures of the day.

 

 

Sunday May 13th. The 3 Peaks of Yorkshire - The Long Way Round. 29.5 miles. 6000' ascent. Leader: Michael Bushby.

 

On reflection, I want to rename the walk 3 Peak(s)y Blinders. Once the cloud had blown eastwards, it was an absolutely glorious day and the 15 walkers - down to 14 after summit 2, sadly, due to poorly feet - enjoyed a cracking day in the White Rose county.

In order to get in extra mileage as training for the Kent 100, and also to avoid conforming to the standard route from Horton, we set off from Ingleton with the church clock on 8. (This start point adds about 5 miles to the normal circuit). The Fell Lane track brought back distant bad memories of the Yoredale 100 for some as the rather strung-out group ascended through cloud and reached Ingleborough's summit for Peak 1.

By the time we reached Horton for our first stop, the sky had cleared and Pen-y-Ghent's marvellous profile loomed ahead. We took the Brackenbottom route up and while looking ahead at the steep southern end with a bit of trepidation I realised that the lower slopes are quite a pull, too. The weather conditions matched the hill's translated name - wind - but the sky was pretty much cloudless so the views from Peak 2 and for the rest of the day were fantastic.

The long stretch to Ribblehead was made easier by having a recently upgraded path underfoot, so we maintained a good pace through the afternoon to reach the ice cream van by the engineering marvel that is the Viaduct. There were comments of approval from the group that the Whernside climb was steady and gentle rather than sharp and brutal, so we gained Peak 3 in pretty good nick. From there, it was a case of set the compass on a SW bearing and avoid the bogs, steeply down Twistleton Scar End, then triumphantly stride back into Ingleton. The church clock was smack on 7. And let it be noted that my mileage was also bob on accurate! A challenging, but very fulfilling walk.

Thanks to Ralph for the local knowledge, since I hadn't reccied the walk, and congratulations to Tim, for whom this was the 35th - THIRTY FIFTH!! - time he's done the 3 Peaks.

Michael.

 

Photos to follow.

Wednesday May 9th. Moss Bank Meander. 12.5 miles. Leader: Lynn Rossiney

 

16 walkers set off from Moss Bank Park c.p. on my first walk for East Lancs.

Luckily the weather was a lot cooler than the bank holiday weekend but rain was forecast for later.

Across the park we went through Smithills Estate where the popular old Coaching House was along through to Horrocks Fold. Once across Belmont Road we continued down to Dunscar Golf club and had a morning break at the bridge at Longworth Clough. Onwards through the Clough which is usually muddy, was reasonably dry with the good weather.

Crossing Belmont road again we climbed up to Winter Hill then over to Rivington Pike for lunch.

Over to the two lads we descended through Walker Fold Estate to Barrow Bridge village, and entered Moss Bank Park where I pointed out the Rock Gardens which have reopened after years of closure.

Without any sign of rain we finished off with a drink in the Doffcocker.

Thanks to everyone who came along.

Lynn.