New Year, New Resolutions.


Wednesday January 29th. Singing and Ringing to Thievely Pike. Plodder Walk. 10.5 miles. Leader: Mike Lee.

 

Eighteen walkers, plus Maude and Fudge, met alongside Clowbridge Reservoir on a dull, windy, but dry morning for an excursion up Thievely Pike.

 

After a slightly delayed start due to some members having encountered traffic chaos, we set out through the Dunnockshaw Community Woodland towards Crown Point and the Singing Ringing Tree. It was whilst we were on the high ground at Crown Point that the sun broke through the clouds, lighting up the hills around Thievely Pike.

 

The leader had planned to view the Singing Ringing Tree from a distance, but the group had other ideas and literally voted with their feet to visit the tree. We were rewarded by the tree singing and ringing in the strong wind more loudly than most of us had heard it before.

 

Leaving the tree behind, we walked the full length of the woodland and onto Deerplay Moor. Fortunately, the strong wind was to our backs as we ascended the long track up to the summit of Thievely Pike. I suppose that made the deep mud on the track a bit more tolerable.

 

The high wind made the summit of Thievely Pike an inhospitable lunch stop, so we dropped to the more sheltered conditions of Deerplay hamlet before stopping.

 

After lunch stretches of the Rossendale Way and the Round the Hills Walk took us back to Clowbridge Reservoir, with just the briefest of rain showers on the way.

 

Thanks to everyone that came.

 

Mike Lee

 

P.S. The unplanned excursion to the Singing Ringing Tree accounts for the extra half mile on the advertised distance!

 

 

Wednesday January 22nd. A Beach (not Bolton) and a 16th Century Ale House. 12.5 miles. Leader: Chris Langabeer.

 

12.5 miles. Weather; misty, but no rain


25 walkers left the Black Horse car park slightly later that planned due to road closures in the area. The route took us along the Leeds Liverpool Canal for one mile before the first mud of the day was encountered approaching the Hamlet of Holland Fold.


After crossing the M61 and reaching Anglezarke Reservoir, another area of mud was encountered.( no problem for experienced mud walkers) From here we walked between Anglezarke and Upper Rivington reservoirs to then walk on good tracks. To pass by Dean Wood Bird Sanctuary, Willcocks Farm, then turn onto the Moors and pass the ruins of farm houses named; Old Rachel’s.Higher Hempshaws and Simms, where lunch was taken.

While lunch was being taken, loud cries were heard, we then saw the local hunt meeting heading over the hills.


After lunch we headed uphill, passing Holts Flat Wood. Eventually reaching a group of standing stone named the Pike Stones, which is described as a chambered long cairn on the OS maps, more details can be found at historicengland.org.uk.

From here it was mainly downhill to again reach Anglezarke Reservoir. Then after a short climb the highlight of the day was reached; Healey Beach, unfortunately the tide was in so not much of the Beach was visible.


After everyone was suitably impressed, we continued along Healey Fold Lane. On reaching Charnock Back Lane I decided to save everyone from more mud so we continued down hill on the road to reach our cars. Unfortunately the Black Horse was closed, so 11 of us had a pleasant drink in the Yew Tree.


Thanks to all for coming, especially the 2 people from Chester.

I did order better weather, but as Del Boy used say Que Sera Sera

 

Chris

 

See below for a map of the route taken.

 

 

Sunday January 19th. Preston Guild Wheel. 22 miles. Leader: Hilary Scott.

 

19 walkers and two dogs gathered together on a cold frosty morning ready to walk the Preston Guild Wheel. Leaving the car park we picked up the Wheel and passed frosty fields to wend our way to Cottam. Here morning coffee was taken by a cafe with the opportunity to get hot drinks etc. Off across some fields and quiet lanes to reach a very noisy section alongside Blackpool Road.

It was a relief to turn off this stretch and reach the River Ribble which was to be our companion for the next few miles. Unfortunately a mist had descended and we didn't get the views that had accompanied the recce of this walk. Passing the dock basin - which was only just visible and along to Miller and Avenham Parks and lunch at the cafe there. Badges of the Guild Wheel were available for anyone wanting one. 

Along to London Road where two walkers and a dog left us, sore feet being an issue! Off to Brockholes Nature Reserve where you turn to leave the river and visibility improved. Up to the crematorium and a quick sweetie/drinks stop before the final stretch along lovely woodland and quiet lanes. There was no mud, no stiles and just a couple of gates to open. This meant that we made excellent time and were back for 4pm, well within daylight hours. Various GPS devices marked the route as being 22 miles long though the official mileage is 21. Maybe the short walk from the car park did it! Everyone agreed that the walk was a change and ideal for winter walking.

Thanks to all who came.

Hilary

 

 

 

Wednesday January 8th. Little Cracker Safari. 12 miles. Leader: Norman Thomas.

 

12 miles, 26 walkers and 2 well behaved dogs

We started from Curleys, I gave a short talk about the walk and welcomed my granddaughter Claire who was on her first East Lancs walk and also celebrating her birthday.  We travelled up and over the old tip which has been grassed and planted with trees.  On to Matchmoor Lane then to the side of the Quarry and up to Adams Hill with good views. Onwards over Burnt Edge with more lovely views then down through the side of Montcliffe Quarry to Curleys for lunch at 12:30 prompt where the manager Woody welcomed us.  The service and the food was superb, thanks to Woody and all the staff, you did us proud again.

After lunch we made our way through Wilderswood.  I pointed out where Rockhaven Castle had been and explained why it is no longer there.  Onwards again up to the Pike and then down through Tigers Clough and back to base.  I really enjoyed the walk and I think most walkers did as well.  The weather was near perfect for the time of year.  Thank you all, you were well behaved and good fun, that is what it is all about and a bit of banter.

Happy walking, Norman

PS: Thanks to Chris and little June for helping recce the walk

 

Pictures below from Jane.

Pictures below from Hilary.

 

For more information about Rockhaven Castle click on the link below

 

ROCKHAVEN_CASTLE__

 

Sunday January 5th. Spanners Round. 20 miles. Leader: Steve Clark.

 

22 of us gathered to walk Spanner’s Round at Jumbles carpark for an 8:30am start.  I’d judged that the extra half hour head start would give a greater chance of finishing before night fall at the other end of the day.  It would also allow for “eventualities”.  We welcomed three newcomers to the club: Kirsten and Peter, and Kim’s friend Pat.  The weather, whilst still, was one of dark clouds with some fine drizzle from time to time.  We saw a few breaks of blue skies but these were short lived.  Most of the stiles crossed were treacherous and required care to be taken in crossing them.

 

Setting off we walked the lengths of Jumbles and then Wayho reservoirs before touching on Turton and Entwistle res.  Here we walked the loop in the route before having coffee, as is the tradition, on the slope below Wayho Farm.  From here going over Broadhead conditions under foot were wet and muddy.  On the ascent to Hog Lowe Pike one of our members required a pit stop in order to change into a fresh pair of socks after losing a boot in part of the swamp. The trig point on the Pike was in clag. 

 

Pat took a tumble descending into the Hasligden Grane valley and was lucky enough to be okay but decided to cut the walk at this point.  Armed with a map and accompanied by Kim, they made their way down to Clough Head visitor centre.  They made it home safely.  We continued to climb up to the chimney at Musbury Heights for lunch.

 

The walk now turned for home, walking the two beautiful blind valleys of Musbury Brook and Alden Brook to arrive at the “naughty” corner of the Two Crosses Walk.  Again it was pretty wet underfoot.  Pilgrims Cross to Peel Tower was dispatched in what was now a heavier drizzle and a brief stop taken at the tower.  Down into Redisher Wood and I think most will be grateful when steps are built to make this path safer, part funded by the club.  Kirsten and Peter left us by arrangement at Hawkshaw as did Tony, who left at the bridge below the dam at Jumbles making it 17 returning to the carpark.  We completed the walk just as the dark was gathering around us but still lit by the red glow of the sunset.

 

The mean distance as recorded by GPS was 20 miles, with Nick getting precisely 20.00 miles.  Ascent was recorded as a little over 3,000’.  Thanks to all who came along and made a great day of it.

 

Steve 

 

Pictures below from Jane.

 

 

Pictures below from Hilary.