Winter Hangs On
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| Sunday February 21st. The advertised walk 'Hollingworth Heights' was cancelled due to bad weather. Look out for the re-run later in the year. Wednesday February 24th. Two Rivers of Adlington.(Yarrow and Douglas) Start 10.0am finish 3.50pm. 13.1 miles. 22 walkers and 1 dog assembled at the Bay Horse Adlington to trace the source of both rivers. We set off along 'Adlington Way' passing Slades farm and Chorley golf club house known locally as "Hall o' the Hill"(the original hall dates back to the 15th century). The path across the golf course should have given us a splended view of the hills but not today! After passing through a small hamlet of restored stone cottages we approached Limbrick and the Black Horse Inn, site of the oldest inn in England first registered in 1577. Behind the pub was the first sighting of the Yarrow which we followed along a green valley to reach Anglezarke reservoir passing over the dam to Yarrow reservoir. The track was followed to Leadmines Clough passing a meeting of waters where the Yarrow meets a large tributory. It was then over Alance bridge to where our first break of the day was taken on the hillside overlooking the war memorial. A couple encountered here thought we were a fun group to be with, no accounting for taste then! Ascending from here to the remains of Higher Hempshaw farm we looped around the source of the Yarrow. The path continued over a footbridge to take us past a memorial stone and a group of over friendly horses. We passed Moses Cocker farm on the Belmont Rd and ascended a very stony and icy path to our lunch break at the pigeon tower. The wind chill kept this to a limited stop. Circling around the pike we passed over the Douglas and its tributaries, the actual source being further to our left up Winter hill towards the mast. From Pike cottage we descended to Ormstans farm and walked past the Klondyke, site of an old earthenware drainage pipe factory. Here the Douglas was in a deep gulley to our right, with two llamas who liked Viv's custard creams to our left! After passing Rivington High School we went over Jepsons bridge onto an unauthorised path to where the Douglas enters Rivington reservoir. Certainly this was a well walked path and well worth taking. The sun greeted our return via the reservoirs of Rivington passing Go Ape on the way (no volunteers) to the Bay Horse,and a well earned drink. We were also reunited with an unfortunate member who had to abort the walk. Thanks and well done to Reg; also the members from Yorkshire and Cheshire who came despite the forecast. NB. For members who did the THIRLMERE WAY there were sightings today to remind you of this great walk. First Time on Longridge Fell Sunday March 7th 2010 Leader : Tony Clark. Deputy : Stephen Clark Attendees : 31 persons and one and a half dogs! Mileage : Let’s just say it was over 20!!! If we have a more enjoyable walk than this in 2010 we can all count ourselves extremely lucky. As always Tony put on a belter! On his walk from Chipping last year he mentioned that he had never been up Longridge Fell so this outing was to put that little omission from his conquests to rights. And what an attendance – 31 people and that with some of our regulars missing. It was bitterly cold as we amassed at the Chipping car park but we soon warmed up climbing Jeffrey Hill and then our first ascent of Longridge Fell. We dropped down into Ribchester and had lunch by the stone wall overlooking the river. From here we travelled along the Ribble Way to the delightful village green at Hurst Green for another refreshment stop. We were blessed with beautiful sunshine all day, still a frost in the shade but some of us even made it to shirt sleeve order. It was gorgeous. The snowdrops were captivating and the early season lambs a delight. Heading back in to Chipping we had to traverse the slippy stepping stones of the peculiarly named Bailey’s Hipping. Well we have a better name for it now – Jeanette’s Jump. Because this is where our lady debutant decided she was going to show off and lie down full length in the freezing cold river! Thankfully she was OK but wet and we politely didn’t mention the squelching noises she made all the way to the end of the walk! Throw into the mix the quite incredible Stonyhurst College and you see what a good walk it was It was a superb day out. The reference above to “one and a half dogs” refers to Ruth’s Dylan – the full dog – and Mary’s “Heidi” – the not quite a full dog! Heidi, a Yorkie/ Jack Russell cross is a real star. She was proudly wearing her “Breath of Fresh Air” badge at the start and those little legs must have been very tired by the time we finished. Well done and thanks Tony on behalf of everyone – even the several “deviations from the planned route” were enjoyable. |
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