It's getting colder now...


Red Rose Way Part 8 – Hornby to Arnside. Wednesday Oct 20th 2010.

16 persons

Leaders : Chris Langabeer, Ian Pickup

Map Reader Extraordinaire – Bill Taylor



What a finish to our trek across the old county of Lancashire. Uppermill at Oldham to Arnside on the coast, 117 miles, done over eight sections and each one of them memorable in its own right. We can’t thanks Chris Langabeer and Ian Pickup and their assistants, Norman Thomas and Bill Taylor, enough for putting this event on for the club. (Have I got the reporting structure right there boys?)



We met at Arnside at 9.00am with an early morning frost covering the ground but the Autumn sun beating down. It was cold but we soon warmed up and the views took your mind off anything else. Ingleborough dominated the far skyline as we crossed by Cragg Lot to the delightful and little known Tewitfield Locks, where the Lancaster Canal is abruptly terminated by the M6. After lunching here we headed off between the Yealand hamlets, Conyers, Redmayne and Storrs, into Silverdale by Leighton Moss and on round Arnside Park to the Promenade.



There was much handshaking and congratulations at the end of a superb walk and we celebrated over a pint in The Albion. Here Jacqui and Ken were seduced by the menu and we left them to their culinary delights as seven of us hardy – and thirsty – souls headed for the Kings Arms at Burton-in-Kendal for an overnighter. Everyone take note if you want a superb place to stay near but not in The Lakes;Neil and Ann’s pub is perfect – great food, superb beer and cracking atmosphere.



So the Red Rose Way is added to the list of Routes Conquered and we look forward to the challenge that Chris, Ian, Bill and Norman have set for us next year – The Bowland Round. We can’t wait!

Pendle Halloween Walk. Sunday October 31st. 9.00am from Downham.

47 walkers with 4 dogs. 14 miles.




Joint event between West Lancs and East Lancs

Nobly and efficiently led by JEFF PARR of the West Lancs.



Well it was a typically misty, pleasantly warm October morning as the 47 participants from both the West and East Lancs groups eagerly gathered for the Annual Halloween walk which this year set off from Downham. Fancy dress was the order of the day and a good number of people made some effort with a rather spendid array of hats, noses and capes. The two little elves had made a special effort with their costumes and endeavoured to entertain walkers with their mischievous behaviour throughout the day. Hilary brought sweeties for us all and dished them out before we departed, quite wisely as she had no wish to cart them up the hill.



The first part of the walk took us up Pendle Hill, the steep way. It was definitely everyman for himself at the morning brew stop of the scout shelter as there was no way we could all fit in there. Suitably refreshed it was on to the trig and across the hill toward Newchurch where Jeff kindly made time for people to visit the famous 'Witches Galore' souvenir shop. Time was marching on and so it was decided that a small change of plan would allow us to stop off at Clarion House for lunch where good old pint pots of any hot drink you like were served for a very small sum of money. By this time we really needed to walk off a few calories, so off we went up hill, down hill, across moorland, through woodland stopping off briefly at Twiston for a water stop before making the final leg of the walk back through pastureland to Downham.



It was a shame the mist was rather stubborn and that people not familiar with the area didn't get to see the stunning views which are well worth the effort required to do the climb up Pendle.



It was a smashing day and Jeff, ably assisted at the rear (so to speak) by Dave, altered the original route plan to accommodate both the size of the group and the lovely stop offs. This meant we actually only covered just under 14 miles but I don't think it mattered at all as everyone could enjoy the day for what it was - a good fun day out!



Thank you very much indeed to Jeff, Enid, Dave and everyone at the West Lancs for making this such a memorable event and we all hope we’ll be able to do it again soon.



Hazel
Base of Pendle Before the turn to Newchurch Gathering at Downham Lovely autumn colours Lunch at The Clarion Near Barley Those mischievous elves Zig zagging up Pendle