Sunday April 20th - Saturday April 26th. A Trip to Melrose.

Monday April 21st. Hiltonshill Old Toll House to Melrose. 15 miles, 2400' ascent.

Tuesday April 22nd. Galashields to Tweed bridge. 14.5 miles, 2800' ascent.

Wednesday April 23rd. Day off.

Thursday April 24th. Melrose Circular, 14.5 miles, 1700' ascent.

Friday April 25th. Tweed Bridge to Glen Cafe. 13.5 miles, 1900' ascent.

Thanks to Howard for the photos below.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/4KxEN8SPFsfSEuibA

Wednesday April 23rd. A shortened Pendle and Ribble Round. 15 miles. Leader: Gordon Stone.

A select bunch of six members undertook a truncated version of the Pendle and Ribble Round, the full route being somewhat lengthy for a midweek walk. 

It was very busy as we parked near the English Martyrs Church where it looked like there may have been a service or other event due to take place later in the morning. The weather was glorious as we headed out to pick up the Ribble Valley Jubilee Trail which was also the route of the 2015 Red Rose 100 heading to our morning break near the Nick Of Pendle with wonderful views across Sabden Brook. There was also a magnificent patch of bluebells to be seen. As always, despite the sunshine, we did encounter a chilly wind on Pendleton Moor and Barley Moor en route to the summit of Pendle Hill. The descent to Downham returned the warmth to our bodies for our lunch break where some of us took advantage of the ice cream shop. The second half is generally flatter but does have a gradual climb then short sharp descent on the slopes of Warsaw Hill.

After a short break at Chatburn for the customary jelly babies and liquorice allsorts, we headed for the Ribble part of the walk before cutting through the Sculpture Park to finish our walk in the centre of Clitheroe just before 5pm, where we had a choice of bus, train or (for one who wanted additional mileage) more walking to return to Whalley.

It was a good day out with excellent weather covering 15 miles with nearly 2100 feet of ascent. And almost no mud!

Sunday April 20th. Pendle’s Hidden Gem. 21 miles. Leader: Peter Smith.

Excellent mixed group for this one, five LDWA groups represented and blessed with perfect weather!

Setting out from Barrowford and heading for the hidden valley via Noggarth Top, stunning views of Pendle Hill and down the wonderful Sabden Valley were taken in.

Continuing above the valley to Cant Clough Res’ for our morning break sitting above Sabden Village.
Crossing the Nick of Pendle road and following the valley to Portfield near Whalley, here we turned around and headed back on the opposite side of Sabden Valley passing through Read and Huntroyd Estates with sightings of magnificent trees bursting into life, bluebells, colourful gorse and a lovely view of a deer.

We were privileged to have been given permission to have our lunch at the local tennis club of Read & Simonstone!
After more fields were negotiated and panoramic views looking up the valley, a visit to Rig of England trig, afternoon ice cream in Noggarth Cafe Tea Garden, it was then downhill for the final few miles back into Barrowford.

21m and the leader expressed his pleasure in leading and thanked everyone for supporting!

Peter.

Wednesday April 16th. Mini Philips Park Circular. 13 miles. Leader: Phil Chapman. 

13 walkers braved 13 miles but we weren't unlucky with the weather. It started by threatening to Rain all day but we were Lucky. It had changed its mind. Phew.

The Walk started by a circular of Swan Lake then we made our way through the woods and Stoneclough towards Clifton Country Park for our Coffee Break along the Clifton Marina.

From there we walked along the River Irwell crossing it at the Prestwich Forest Bridge into Drinkwater Park. So far so good. Doubled back along the Irwell to Waterdale and finally our Lunch destination at Philips Park.

Bit too chilly to sit too long so off we went past the Whitefield Jewish Cemetery and made our way down to the Outwood Trail. Can be a bit monotonous walking along there so we were glad to come off and walk to Ringley Church for our fabled "Sweetie Stop".

After which we finally made our way along the Bolton Bury Canal passing Nob End to finish back at Moses Gate Country Park. We were so so lucky with the weather it barely rained at all making us all Very Happy Hikers.

Phil

Sunday April 13th. Liverpool Circular. 12 miles. Leader: Steve and Noreen Martin.

The forecast was for overcast skies with the possibility of the odd shower and a high of 11 degrees.  The day started overcast but brightened up around midday, with no showers. 14 members and two dogs set off around Liverpool Waters to visit the new IOM ferry terminal, view the new Bramley Moore stadium, new home to Everton FC and get some great pictures of the Three Graces. Upon returning to the Three Graces a guest joined us, who was here from Iran.

We then set off on a circular walk around the southern part of Liverpool,towards the Royal Albert Dock stopping for a short and fascinating talk at Captain Walker statue. After quick comfort break at the Albert Dock we followed the River Mersey upstream, taking in the sites the river had to offer, before climbing the ‘Dockers Steps’ up to Elswick St where the sitcom Bread was filmed. It was then back down the hill to the old festive gardens were with a lunch break at the Chinese and Japanese gardens. 

We then headed up Lark Lane for toilet stop and ice cream in Sefton Park.  After a lap of the boating lake and Palm House, it was a short walk to Princess Park, where a donkey called Judy is buried. It was then onto the two houses Ringo Starr lived in as a child before a visit to St James Cemetery and Liverpool Anglican Cathedral prior to dropping down to Liverpool One and 30 St James St, the home of the White Star Line, were the walk finished.

A great inner city walk, well attended, with interesting places along the 14mile route.

Steve

Wednesday April 9th. Watershed Landscape. 11 miles. Leader: Barbara Shelton.

The South Pennines Watershed Landscape is the upland habitat where rainwater is divided east from west, North Sea from Irish Sea, Lancashire from Yorkshire. There is an ongoing project involving many partner organisations, to conserve the built and natural environment.

A dozen of us set off from Ogden Reservoir near Newhey and headed for the moors in fine, if a little windy, weather. After a short stretch on the Rochdale Way we continued north east to reach Windy Hill and its café in an old lorry trailer – which was shut, despite promises! We had a break anyway, but I took some stick over that!! Swinging south on the Pennine Way, the route took us over to the Huddersfield road via White Hill and its trig point, glimpsing Readycon Dean Reservoir along the way.

The next objective was Dowry Reservoir, where we stopped for lunch overlooking the sparkling waters. New Years Bridge Reservoir followed soon after, before we skirted Denshaw and headed for Rooden Reservoir then Piethorne, Kitcliffe and Ogden reservoirs to bring us back to the car park. Everybody said they enjoyed the walk, which was 11 miles long, and our boots were clean after what can often be rather boggy moorland, so we weren’t the Dirty Dozen on this occasion!!

Barbara Shelton

Sunday April 6th. Barley - Barlick. 14.5 miles. Leader : Iain Connell.

Yet another sunny April day with very little cloud. Letcliff Country Park is small but frequented mainly by dog-walkers, so it was unusual to find a non-LDWA walk group brewing up. Ten of us marched up the hill on the Pennine Bridleway. The track at the end of Lister Well Road was passable, but I still took some photos of the almost-dry gunge and the surface damage. By the time we got to Newchurch in Pendle (great views of the Hill), the sewage works had inspired some unscheduled stops.

Barley park was packed. A dog barked while another twice moved. On the way back to Barnoldswick, we missed one Sculpture Trail but passed two enormous heads (they loom out of the mist on dull days) at a location which the map says is Duck Pond. After two and a half thousand feet of ascent, it was down again to Barlick’s outskirts. it’s a bit of a trudge back up to the Park. It used to house a WWI tank, but Blacko Tower’s still a folly.

Iain

Cleveland Way. March 31st - April 3rd.

Monday March 31st. Filey to Scarborough. 11 miles.

Tuesday April 1st. Scarborough to Robin Hood's Bay, 15 miles.

Wednesday April 2nd. Robin Hood's Bay to Runswick Bay, 15 miles.

Thursday April 3rd. Runswick Bay to Saltburn By The Sea. 13 miles.