June Jaunts in the sunshine


Wednesday June 27th. Lunesdale Limp. 12 miles. Leader: Norman Thomas.

 

Twenty walkers turned up today. The weather was very hot indeed, the 10pm evening news said it had been the hottest day of the year.


We made our way from Hornby by tarmac to Lyon Bridge then across the fields to Melling, onwards then to Wrayton and lunch at Wennington where some of our walkers paddled their feet in the river.


After lunch we made our way to Hindburn Bridge and onwards to Wray. We had an afternoon stop at the Wray Garden Centre café for cold drinks and ice lollies then back to Hornby.


At the end I told the walkers I had some health problems, everybody rallied round to support me.

Thanks a million, East Lancs, as ever for your support and helpfulness.


Thank you,

Norman

 

 

 

 

Sunday June 24th. Ramsbottom Round. 20 miles. Leaders: Dave and Alma Walsh.

This walk was put on to coincide with the opening of Peel Tower by club members Viv Lee & Barbara Shelton to raise funds for the Motor Neurone Society. The plan was to reach the tower around 3pm to take advantage of the tea & cakes they were selling. We were also told the flag would be flying at the top of the tower  the day.

19 of us set in bright sunshine, Sue to join us at Edenfield. We crossed the M66 & made out way to Grants Tower. From there quiet lanes took us to Harden Moor. We crossed the Moor & reached the main road at the Owd Betts pub.

A short walk along the road, a track was reached & we followed this to the top of Knowl Hill. Down the hill we joined a service road & followed this for a while before taking our morning break.

We then continued & joined the Rossendale Way. From there a tracked was followed to take us into Edenfield. Crossing the main road we reached Irwell Vale railway station & had lunch. Most of us sat in the shade to escape the strong sunshine for a while. Michael entertained us with a song called Jacobs Ladder via his mobile phone after Ray had mentioned that we climbed Jacobs Ladder earlier in the walk (Michael knows some obscure songs) & then did a quick rendition of his hero Bob Dylan.

Onwards into Helmshore & from there we climbed up on to Holcombe Moor. When we reached the Cross, word was sent through to Peel Tower to get the kettle on. For the first time we were close enough to see the flag flying on top of the tower.

A brisk trade was already going on when we reached the tower & we joined the queue for teas, coffees & a great selection of cakes.
Some took the opportunity to go to the top of the tower. It was great to see some more of our members here.

From the Tower we headed North before turning to make our way to Holcombe Brook. From there we continued through Woodhey Woods back to the cars at Nuttall Park.

Thanks very much to all who joined us, including the Bury Ramblers who attended & some faces we haven't seen for some time to support this worthy cause. Also to Hilary for taking all the photos & to those who bought the walk badges with the proceeds going to the charity.


Dave & Alma

 

NB. The MNDA raised over £800 from donations and the sale of refreshments and expect to receive more funds from the Tower ascents. Thanks from them to all who purchased drinks/cakes/badges. The photograph below shows some of their volunteers on the day including East Lancs members Viv and Barbara.

 

 

 

Wednesday June 6th. A Ribble Round. 15 miles. Leader: Bernard Hedley

   

 

17 members and Maude the dog set off from Sawley on a lovely spring day, with the promise of sunshine for the day ahead.

We crossed the Ribble at Sawley Bridge and headed up by the Friends Meeting House towards Hill House Barn. We reached Foxley Bank via Heys Farm, where Mahatma Ghandi famously stayed during his visit to Lancashire in 1931 to acquaint himself with conditions in the cotton spinning industry. We joined the Ribble Way at Foxley and walked downstream towards Clitheroe. We stopped for morning coffee at Grindleton Bridge and then walked down to Brungerly Bridge, where we took our leave of the Ribble Way for the day. It was a good morning on the river for the nature lovers in the group with a wide variety of breeding birds on show.

We walked through the grounds of Waddow Hall, which is a UK outdoor centre for the Girl Guides, and which brought back fond memories for members of the party who had spent time there as brownies and guides. We then took an unavoidable stretch of tarmac up to the picturesque village of Waddington, where we enjoyed lunch in the sun in the beautifully maintained memorial gardens. The gardeners in the group were taking plenty of inspiration there.

After a leisurely morning’s walking and a relaxing lunch, it was time for the more strenuous part of the day. We left Waddington by the widows’ hospital and headed towards Drake House, fording the stream there and which happily was very low. Then we made the long pull up to Simpsey Hill, onwards to Higher Asker Hill, then skirting the base of Beacon Hill – although the more enthusiastic members decided to climb up to the trig point – and were rewarded with even more stunning views. We had grand views of Pendle Hill all day and Ingleborough and Pen-y-ghent were prominent in the distance.

After that, it was marble rolling time downhill all the way back to the Friends Meeting House at Sawley and the cars.

We walked about 15 miles in the wall to wall sunshine and most of the party repaired to the nearby Spread Eagle Inn to enjoy the refreshments on offer.

Thanks to all who attended and made it another grand day with the East Lancs, and special thanks to Hilary for acting as official photographer for the day.

Bernard