We just keep going.....


Beautiful countryside Break Time Down the Dale Norman's talking again! Quiet Crossroads Ready for Church?
Buckden Circular.Wednesday 12th August.

Ten walkers,including two members from Leeds set out from Buckden on a bright and breezy day.For two miles the walk followed the Dalesway,alongside the river Wharfe to Starbotton.Progress was slowed by a herd of cows and many calves who also wanted to use the path! June was sent to negotiate with them as Norman said they were Yorkshire cows.This worked and they vacated the path.

From Starbottom we took the Walden Road (path) rising steeply and giving wonderful views over Wharfedale.Eventually the path levelled out and we continued the slow climb to reach the cairn marking the junction with the path from Kettlewell.From here we walked steeply up to reach the gate and turned to reach the Memorial to the Polish Airman lost in 1942 when their plane crashed in heavy snow.There were flowers from a recent service and a letter from Joe,theonly survivor,now aged 87,recording his present thoughts .We noted later in the village tearooms that Joe later crashed in Germany,spent two years in a concentration camp and survived the infamous death march in 1945.

We then crossed over the wall and along to the Trig point on the summit.A grouse shoting party eyed us with intent but continued to shot at the unfortunate grouse.Views over the surrounding hills and dales were stunning and brought home how remote and unspoilt this area is.We descended down initially an excellent path and then crossed some rather boggy marsh to have lunch in the shelter of a small hill.By this time the sun was strong but the breeze also was strong.

After lunch we descended to Cray and then contoured along to Hubberholme.The view down Wharfedale from the grassy path above Hubberholme Woods was very clear and made it apparent what a beautiful Dale this is.A brief visit to the church in Hubberholme was highlighted by Norman walking arm in arm with June down the aisle.Norman again took centre stage on the bridge as he related the sad story of the Landlord at the Bull Inn refusing to let a previous walking party eat their food on his premises. The walk ended by following the Dalesway back to Buckden along the river.

The party then split into those going to the Buck Inn and those going to the West Winds Tearooms.This brought to an end a splendid day out.



Orphans, Priests and Lunatics. Sunday September 6th.



Following a week of wet weather, I didn't expect that many people would want to come on this walk. However, 28 other brave souls turned up to accompany me. Amazing! Surprisingly we did enjoy periods of sunshine and only light rain fell near the end of the walk.

From Spring Wood CP we descended to the River Calder, saw our first Heron, then up Whalley Nab, from where we enjoyed some expansive views back towards Whalley. Following Moor Lane for a while, we then left the lane on a footpath which took us past Dean Clough Reservoir and via Wilpshire Golf Club to Blackburn Orphanage. After a short history lesson about the Orphanage, we continued towards Salesbury Church, by which time everyone was ready for a brew stop. We had our brew stop at Salesbury Cricket Club, alongside the pitch, with plenty of seating for everyone.

Refreshed, we pressed on via Copster Green across the fields to Ribchester Bridge, joining the Ribble Way for about half a mile, then across several fields and woods, arriving finally at Hurst Green for lunch. Hurst Green has plenty of forms to sit on, clean toilets an Ice Cream Vendor and two Pubs, so is ideal for a lunch stop!

From Hurst Green we made the short journey to Stoneyhurst College and enjoyed the majesty of the buildings and the impressive driveway. Another short history lesson followed, linking back to the "priests" theme, we then took a short detour to view an excellent piece of woodcarving at a nearby farm, before dropping back south to the River Ribble. Before rejoining the Ribble Way, we had the Red Arrows fly over us, and that took quite a bit of organising!! Half a mile later we crossed the Ribble on Dinckley Footbridge and had our afternoon brew stop by the side of the river.

The final leg of the walk saw us crossing more fields and streams before arriving at Brockhall Village. Here was the redeveloped site of a former large Institution for the insane. (Lunatics as they were once known) The final history lesson was given, before we set off for Whalley Arches and Spring Wood Car Park

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Finally, thanks must be given to Paul Allen for his help in recceing the walk and John Bullen for agreeing to take the photographs of the event.
Approaching Stonyhurst Dinckley Bridge Impressive Facade Lunchtime Sculpture Farm Start of the walk