Nippy Novemberambulations

A YORKSHIRE YOMP. SUNDAY NOVEMBER 29TH.

The aptly named walk ‘A Yorkshire Yomp’ nearly became the ‘Lancashire Yomp’ as the wind nearly blew us back over the ‘border’. Plenty of good views, fantastic waterfalls and the usual wit and banter made the 18 miles worthwhile.

The forecast was dire but 7 other keen walkers turned up to brave the elements (and there I was hoping I could sneak off home for a well-earned duvet day!).

Set off initially on the Hebden route before climbing up onto Midgeley Moor. The wind and rain arrived with a vengeance and it was pretty soggy underfoot. Morning stop was at Pecket Well (dry), continuing onto the war memorial and down to Walshaw. Sunshine and wind buffeted us to our lunch stop at Holme Bridge. Alma and I did manage a bit of ‘paragliding’ with the good old wind propping us up. The weather deteriorated during lunch as heavy rain/wind came in so the group did a slight detour down the scenic valley of Hebden Dale to Gibson Mill (avoiding open moor and the Pennine Way). We then meandered along the river to Midgehole and then climbed up to the picturesque village of Heptonstall. The weather improved and we were rewarded with good views as we descended down to Hebden Bridge and finished on the canal to Mytholmroyd.

Thanks to Ken, Alma, Brenda, Ian, Ron, Dave and ‘young’ Frank for making the effort and turning up on a not so dismal day. Fairweather walker springs to mind for some members in East Lancs!

Julie Spencer

Please click on the link below for the pictures of this walk.

A Yorkshire Yomp

Cribbed off No 1, Wednesday November 25th

Leaders Dave & Alma Walsh, 13 miles

18 walkers & 2 dogs encouraged by the prospect of a rare dry day set off walking through Borsdane Wood which was busy with walkers & their canine companions.

At the end of the wood a turn up a narrow track took us to the road which we crossed to enter Hindley Hall Golf course. Through the golf course we reached the Leeds Liverpool Canal & followed it for a mile & a half before having our morning break.

Heading away from the canal down Hall Lane, we then turned north with the River Douglas to our left before rejoining the canal further along. When we reached Wigan Golf Course we crossed the canal & turned back on ourselves for half a mile before turning off & up through some fields where lunch was taken.

Through more fields & quiet roads we reached Haigh Hall where a further short stop was taken. Shortly after leaving the Hall we passed a splendid windmill where Number 1 (ie Norman) gave us an explaination of why the Windmill was originally built - to pump water from down the hill to a brewery in Haigh.

We then continued through some somewhat muddy fields back to the cars. A good few of us had a drink in the Gerrard Arms before setting off for home.

Thanks to everyone who joined us on the walk, the weather for staying dry & to Number 1 for allowing us to lead a walk (which he reckoned was 90% his anyway) on his patch.

Dave & Alma Walsh

Ken's Kitchen (Replacement Walk), 18 miles, Sunday November 15th

There’s always one isn’t there? In this case there were two. I’m not counting me because I had to be there as walk leader (serves you right for volunteering! Who said that?). Usually, when I lead a walk, I’m hoping a reasonable number will come to support it. Not today! I was hoping nobody would come, and then I could’ve gone home!

So me and two keen LDWA walkers (aka idiots) set off from Binn Green car park accompanied by Abigail, Britain's first winter storm.

We were soon walking in the sheltered area along the Huddersfield Narrow Canal at Low Arthurs, and had to persuade all the walkers (both) that we hadn’t walked far enough to go to Tesco’s for a cuppa. Beaten and bloodied, (those trekking poles are lethal) we followed the canal past Uppermill and the rain stopped for a while. Soon after leaving the canal, we found Tame Water, which wasn’t tame at all!

Upon reaching Delph we had a short break and then carried on following Tame Water before crossing Denshaw Road and starting the climb up to Standedge, passing Dowry Reservoir.

Unfortunately the cloud descended and the wind was tremendous. I thought Alma was going hang gliding using her coat as a hang glider at one point. I had a pre-determined spot for lunch which offered some shelter from the wind, but the natives were revolting and refused to stop! I had to assert my authority as leader (after I caught up with them) and we had lunch at the next collection of rocks.

We lost height soon after lunch, descending to Diggle and skirting Broadstones Hill, then it was back up to high ground with good views now, before dropping to Long Lane and back to our cars.

Thanks to Alma and Julie for supporting the walk.

Ken Noble

Click on the link below for photos of the day

Ken's Kitchen

The Pendle and Ribble Round, Sunday November 1st

After a scary photo and a group photo, 23 walkers a 1 dog left misty Whalley with the promise of blue skies to come. The promise was kept, and as we got nearer the Nick O’Pendle, jackets were being taken off and sleeves rolled up.

So after following the Red Rose 100 route all the way to the Nick O’Pendle, we soon left it to go more directly to the summit and our first break. There was no sign of any witch activity from the previous night, just lots of people.

Leaving Pendle Hill, once again on the Red Rose 100 route, we dropped steeply down to cross the Barley/Downham road and follow field paths to Downham where toilets were available. Some wanted to top here and have lunch, but since we’d only just had a break and we weren’t half way, I had to persuade them to carry on to Chatburn.

While we were having lunch, a bit of cloud started to form and the temperature dropped slightly. Soon we were on the Ribble Way which wasn’t as muddy as I thought it would be after the rain of the previous few days. We followed it to Edisford Bridge and another short stop, and on to Fishes and Peggy Hill Farm where we left the Ribble to eventually pass Calderstones Hospital and then under the A59 and Whalley Viaduct back to Whalley Abbey.

Thanks to Julie for being the sweep.

Ken Noble

Photos from Ken