Autumn is here


Wednesday October 23rd. A loaf and five fishes. 12 miles. Leader: Norman Thomas.

 

Eighteen walkers and two well behaved dogs, we picked a good day, the weather was superb, wall to wall sunshine!  The views of the mountains could not have been better.

After leading the walk clockwise I decided to do it in reverse.  We started by going along old byeways and tracks to take us to sugar loaf hill, several of the hardy group went up it.  Onwards then past the caves, past the giant’s toe nail boulder and onwards to Catrigg Falls and Stainforth village then down to the Ribble and the Foss.  We stopped for lunch there and looked for salmon leaping up the Foss, only one was spotted by eagle eye Nick!  Never mind, the weather made up for the disappointment.

Following the Ribble Way we travelled on to Stackhouses hamlet and crossed the bridge over the Ribble, looking at the new eel ladder which Viv spotted and knew what it was for.  She gladly took a whole pound off me for winning the bet!

Then onwards through fields and lanes to Langcliff village where we met a lady painting all the iron railings in the village.  I met her many weeks before on the recce – if it doesn’t move paint it (green)!!  Then up over to Settle for a wonderful pint in The Talbot to finish a great days walking.  Thanks to all the walkers and we did a moderate speed which suited me.

Happy walking

Norman

 

 

Sunday October 20th. Moorland Heights Clog. 19 miles. Leader: Barbara Shelton.

 

The Moorland Heights Clog is one of a suite of three walks, the primary one being the Hyndburn Clog (33 miles). They were devised by the Hyndburn Ramblers Association, and details are available on the LDWA website.

At 19 miles and over 2,700 ft of ascent with some tough terrain (and dodgy stiles), the Moorland Heights Clog is not to be underestimated. Sixteen of us set off from Rising Bridge on a sunny morning, with two people even sporting shorts! Our route took us broadly west to Belthorn village, via Green Howarth golf club, Jackhouse Reservoir nature reserve and Red Shell Lane using field paths, farm tracks and lanes. We quickly got the idea that it was going to be a muddy one, and amazingly nobody mentioned losing brownie points once!

We had a brief interlude of rain at Belthorn, and walked past the community-owned pub, the Dog Inn -  sadly it was too early for the lunch stop! We headed for Pickup Bank where we were all ready for the lunch break at Chapel Wood picnic site. Passing the lovely chapel at Pickup Bank, which was closed today but had been open on the recce, we skirted Great Hill and headed for Haslingden Grane. There was then a huge loop taking us away from the reservoirs to pass Hog Lowe Pike, Causeway Height and Rushy Leach (afternoon break here) before finding ourselves at the old quarry and chimney overlooking the reservoirs. The route went down and under the tramway which was used to get the stone down from the quarry above. Unfortunately one of the party badly twisted her ankle here, a reflection of the very tricky terrain we had been dealing with all day, and was escorted to the main road for a lift.

From the Grane Road we headed up once again towards Thirteen Stone Hill which we contoured round to reach farm tracks and lanes and a final field path to get back to the start.

Thanks to all for coming along, being so cheerful and respecting my moderate pace – it meant we didn’t get strung out and made leading so much easier.

Barbara Shelton

 

 

Wednesday October 16th. Haigh Hall Stroll. 10 miles. Leader: Norman Thomas.

 

The Magnificent Seven and Norman

Seven men and Norman take on the Haigh Hall Stroll – nearly 10 miles.  Despite the weather forecast just 8 of us start the walk at 10:00am, all males, no females.  The first time in 30 years leading very good walks that I’ve had no female walkers. 

We started off through Borsdane Woods, it rained a little but after 1 ½ miles we were out of the woods and the weather changed.  It turned into a very nice autumn walk, no more rain and the temperature was good for the time of year.

We made our way over Hindley golf course, onto the path at the side of the canal then to Haigh Hall and gardens where we had lunch in the old courtyard.  Roger J said he hoped no one was listening to our conversation as we discussed WCs from all over the world!  The different sumps and bowls, it was just up my street!  I was flushed with it!

After lunch we made our way past the old windmill that used to supply water to Haigh Brewery that is no longer there.  Onwards to an area that on the recce was badly flooded and it was still flooding.  It just shows it is so important to recce a walk near to the time you are doing it – I have done this walk many times and never had a problem.  We made a detour and ended up on a little bit of tarmac.  Overall it was a good happy walk ending in the Gerard Arms pub.

Thanks all and a big thanks to Ian and Chris for doing the recce with me.

Tarmac Tommy

 

 

Wednesday October 9th, 'Alf of the Whippet Way. 15 miles. Leader: Caroline Tennant.

On a rather damp morning 9 humans and 1 woof dog met at Anglezarke car park.  The walk covered a section, approximately half, of the little know path The Whippet Way Along the River Yarrow.  We were accompanied by Alf, who is approximately half of a Whippet.  With the walker register completed, we set off around Anglezarke Reservoir. 

 

We climbed up over the Healey Nab Memorial wood and through some very boggy fields and woods.  Some fancy footwork took us over a stile in the middle of a very muddy, very big, puddle.  The rain eased off as we came into Chorley and we got to Astley park.  Here we had morning break, making use of the park facilities.  None of us were brave enough for the zip wire though, not even Alf.  We passed Astley Hall and dropped down into Great Wood and made our way into Yarrow Valley Park.  We passed over my favourite stile – the human side marked 2WD, the dog side marked 4WD.  Though it wasn’t just for dogs, we found 2 horses on the path.

 

Passing a quarry, we entered a fenced path that was more like a river, mid-calf for us, but poor Alf was up to his arm pits.  Boots were emptied and we made our way along the River Yarrow.  Normally a pretty little river, but following all the recent rain it was churned up, brown and at full force.  On reaching the Visitor Centre we stopped for lunch.  Before setting off there was a common theme of removing boots and wringing out socks.  An emergency spare pair of socks even received its first use. 

 

Through Yarrow Valley with its much noisier than usual weir and then into the woods and on through to Duxbury via the inappropriately named Drybones Wood.  A very brief visit to the Leeds Liverpool Canal before a section of boggy and flooded paths via Limbrick.  On the approach back to Anglezarke we had to cross the wettest stile known.  As walk leader I didn’t feel I could legitimately lead people off the official path to take my normal route up the hill and over the wall.  At the point I was knee deep in water, half the group aimed at the hill, as did Alf the traitor dog.  I shall know for next time.  Finally, we made it back round the reservoir and to the car park.  I believe I may have won the prize for most consistently wet underfoot conditions of 2019.

 

Thanks to everyone that turned up on a very soggy morning, for not complaining about being taken through bogs and getting wet feet and being constantly cheerful throughout.  Even though I forgot to dish out the fruit pastilles.

Caroline.

 

 

Click here for Caroline's Pictures.

 

Sunday October 6th. Whalley Wander. 18 miles. Leaders: Dave and Alma Walsh.


Fortunately the rain had stopped as the 15 walkers gathered for the off in Spring Wood Car park. The Leader warned "There will be mud" & he was proved right.

We set off uphill via the golf course & then followed a muddy path towards Wiswell. Turning we climbed up to the Wireless Station before making our way over pleasant fields to Sabden for our morning break & toilet stop. A couple of the walkers made use of the swings & Zip wire in the play area.

Heading West from Sabden we crossed a stream via a wooden bridge & found ourselves ankle deep in mud. We battled bravely through it to a farm, over a stile & then as we climbed the hill the mud abated. The terrain eased & at Sabden Hall we turned & made our way to Churn Clough reservoir for lunch.

Dropping down to Sabden, Sue left us here & the rest of us continued to Read where we found bales of hay disguised as liquorice allsorts. Passing the garden centre we crossed the main road & had a quick afternoon break by the River Calder. Burnley fanatic Michael again treated us to the Burnley anthem "The Best Dreams begin with B" which made it's debut on his Burnley Way walk a few weeks earlier.

It was then an easy walk back into Whalley & via the Weir on the river to the cars.

Thanks to all who attended, Dave & Alma

Pictures below by Dave

 

Pictures below by Hilary