Autumn Adventures


Alma gets a hug Bernard and Norman enjoy the day Lonely moor Lovely Lune valley
Johns weekend away at Kirkby Lonsdale. October 30th & 31st.



Nine of us checked in at the recently refurbished Royal Hotel on Friday afternoon & enjoyed a lovely evening meal at the Avanti Restaurant.



The Walk: Saturday 30th October.

17 miles. Leaders John Haworth & Viv Lee



A dodgy weather forecast proved unfounded & we set off from the Royal Hotel in bright & dry conditions. Leaving the town behind us we crossed the Lune via Devils Bridge & on through Wood Close Caravan Park & around the golf course.



A stiff climb ensued up to Brownthwaite Pike & then to the remote Bullpoint Farm which is the local pot holing centre.

A quick break was taken by a waterfall where each walker was supplied with a piece of Bettys birthday cake.



Heading North East now with fine views of the Howgills we made our way to Barbondale through woods along Barbon Beck & past Barbondale Manor.



After a quick lunch break we made our along High Road to Rigmaden Park Farm & church.We then headed South on our return through Chapel Hill to Kearswick. Back along the river we stopped to admire "Ruskins View" before returning to the Royal for a well earned pint.



Thanks to John & Viv for leading & well done to Neil for completing the walk so soon after his operation.

Westmorland Wander. Weds Nov 3rd. 10.00am from Endmoor



14 persons and one dog 12.65 miles (according to John’s GPS)



Leader : Jim Ogden





Have you ever seen Norman Thomas stuck for words? No neither have we. But it happened in the pub at the end of this walk. He was asked how many points our illustrious leader Jim had lost during the course of the day and what for. Momentarily he was completely at a loss (oh how we wish that would happen more often!) and the reason was because this walk was superb. In The Lakes it rained all day. In Lancashire it poured down all day. Here were we in a little enclave between the two not getting wet.

The starting point Endmoor is a delightful little village just off Junction 36 of the M6 towards Kendal. Initially we headed north to Birkrigg Park and then west to Halfpenny and north again over the little tester of The Helm (185m) with its stunning views of Kendal and Morecambe Bay thence to Oxenholme. Signs for “The Bakery” at the railway station were too enticing to resist and all I can say after tasting their wares is that it is worth the rail fare just to buy their bread.

On we pressed to the hidden gem village of Natland. After lunch seated around the village green, a little peek at the church of St Marks seemed in order. Two workman were fitting a new stained glass, leaded window by the traditional method and it was a delight to see them at work. The “priest in charge” (the term “Vicar” is being phased out apparently) Angela Whittaker, once of Darwen, arrived as we were marvelling at the splendour of the church and gave us a bit of a guided tour.

We had to press on and off we headed down the River Kent, in wonderful full spate after the previous day’s heavy rain, to Sedgwick and the impressive Hall there. Here we traced the line of the old Lancaster/Kendal canal from where it is now submerged by pastureland to where it is still a canal and is crossed by the Westmorland Way. Arriving back at the start via Stainton we went off to the Crooklands Hotel for the “debrief”!!



Well done Jim – this was a wonderful walk, heightened by autumnal colours at their very best.



This walk also marked the return to action of “Superman” Neil Smith. Welcome back Neil.
Above the Kent Aye aye Cap'n Craftsmen at work Natland Church Row, row row your boat....... Smiles and Autumn colours Start at Endmoor The Kent again