Sunday May 23rd,  A Hike to Horton. 19 miles. Leader: Andy Griffin.

The Hike to Horton was a 19 mile walk starting from Settle. Six walkers joined me on the walk along with Poppy the dog. The route from Settle followed the Ribble Way to Horton in Ribblesdale for seven miles. The highlight of this section is Stainforth Foss and didn't disappoint after the recent rain.

After a morning break in Horton we took the longer ascent of Pen-y-ghent passing Hull Pot rather than the shorter direct route taking the Three Peaks route. The first rain of the day started during the climb but fortunately it didn't last long. I've never known the summit not to be windy. We huddled behind the summit wall out of the wind for our lofty lunch stop. The scramble down Peny-ghent was taken carefully after the earlier rain.

We didn't encounter many people walking in the opposite direction and we're soon off the hill. Our route took a direct route across moorland into Stainforth from where we climbed past Catrigg Force and Winskill to get to the dramatic limestone landscapes of Langcliffe and Attermire Scars, followed by Warrendale Knotts.

The final descent down Coronation Hill into Settle was slippy in the drizzle but luckily the torrential rain came along after the walk was finished. I'd like to thank my fellow walkers on the day and Robert Black for joining me on the recce two weeks before. It was great to be back out walking again,

Andy

Thanks to Andy and Jeanette for the photos.

Wednesday May 19th. A Short trip to Japan. 13 miles. Leader: Roger Jackson.

Twelve walkers and one brave dog ( Poppy the Powerful) set off from the Brewhouse car park at 10.00 am. The weather forecast was for a sunny day with a little cloud was so I wasn't quite sure why we were walking in full waterproofs in the pouring rain which turned to hail as we got a little higher (this unlucky leader was already on big minus points ).

Leaving the estate we headed over a field then crossing Belmont road and up Horrocks Fold, over the top of the quarries, and eventually after a slight deviation, because of the shooting range being active, up onto Horrock's Moor. We then turned left across Smithill's Moor towards the Winter Hill Mast, incorporating a small diversion to Norman's famous 'Bolton Beach' . The weather was now improving allowing us fine views for our morning coffee stop just next to the mast itself.

We then continued on dropping down to Two Lads cairn, then to Pike Cottage where we showed tremendous willpower in walking straight past the café, to eventually reach our lunch stop, in the sunshine, by the lake in the picturesque Japanese Gardens.

Onward to the top of Rivington Pike and a team photo, then straight across the rather muddy Rivington Moor returning to Winter Hill. Then left onto the main track to descend down to Belmont Road and down the track to Longworth Clough where we had our afternoon coffee stop next to Eagley Brook.

Next continued down the clough passing Dunscar Golf Club then right on main road up to the Brewhouse Pub for 4.10 pm and finish off a good day with a pint in the Beer Garden.

Thanks to all who joined me , I think I was fairly kind.

Cheers

Roger

Sunday May 16th. From Tower to Hill. 23 miles. Leader: Hilary Scott

I was just too good to this group. We met in Brinscall under lowering cloud and a distinctly average forecast ahead for the day. In the event we had lots of brightness and sunshine, much warmer than the forecast and it didn't rain until we were all safely back in our cars! Plus, treats along the way!

Ten walkers plus one dog set off along the old railway track over to Abbey Village. Here, we walked through the village and into the woods at Roddlesworth. Up and over towards Sunnyhurst woods, carefully descending Donkey Brew. Into the woods and then a long steep climb up to Darwen Tower which has a new Art Installation just underneath. Back down the hill and along to Vaughan's cafe where some bought hot drinks and the toilets were open. 

Back into the woods again, a visit to the PNFS East Lancs sign and then over to Catherine Edge towards Winter Hill. The seagulls in Belmont Reservoir were in fine voice today. Alf dog left us at Lotties for a well earned Sunday afternoon snooze. It was a long track up to the top of Winter Hill but the views were good, it was quite busy up there with people enjoying them. Lunch was on some handy blocks.

We descended to Pike Cottage where the lure of a sweet treat was too much for some and ice creams were purchased. Down through the Terraced gardens where toilets were available at Rivington Barn (I told you I was good to this group) Through the Arboretum with some wonderful trees in bloom and onwards past Upper Rivington Reservoir. 

Onto Anglezarke Reservoir with a quick drinks stop at some picnic benches and then onwards to White Coppice. Here we joined the Goit path all the way back to Brinscall. Just over 23 miles with 3000' of ascent. 

The clouds were getting darker and darker as we got back and within a few minutes of getting in the cars the heavens well and truly opened. By the time I got home some local roads were flooded but we just escaped the deluge.

I was just too good to this group.

Thanks to those who came.

Hilary Scott

Wednesday May 5th. Haigh Hall Hop. 14.5 miles. Leaders: Dave and Alma Walsh.

Ten of us set off from the large car park at Aspull. The weather forecast was good compared to the two previous days of rain. This was the first walk we had lead in over 12 months, our previous one being one of the first to be cancelled last year.

 

We walked past Aspull rugby club & followed a path, & over some fields to Borsdane Wood. We walked the full length of the wood with the sun coming through the tree line & with bluebells aplenty. At the bottom of the wood we climbed up a path which took us to Hindley Hall Golf Club. After waiting for three golfers to tee off, it was safe for us to proceed.

 

Leaving the golf course we made our way to Top Lock on the Leeds Liverpool canal & had our morning break outside a closed down pub. We then followed the canal South towards Wigan before turning off to follow a disused railway line which led us to the grounds of Haigh Hall.

 

We walked through the wooded grounds over the canal & had lunch on some picnic tables near the miniature railway. We left Haigh Hall & followed a quiet road back to the canal. We continued along the canal before crossing it just after a row of cottages & started to head back in an Easterly direction.

 

On reaching the edge of Haigh Hall again we left the canal & had an afternoon drinks stop in front of the main hall. From here it was an easy walk back passing the windmill to the cars at Aspull.

 

Thanks to all who attended, Dave & Alma

 

Thanks to Dave for the pictures below

Sunday May 2nd. Coast, Crag and Canal. 19.5 miles. Leader: Arthur Newton.

Weekend walking is back with the ‘Coast, Crag and Canal’ Sunday walk. Four walkers set-off promptly at 9.00am from HestBank along the Lancashire Coastal way towards Warton Crag – a little rain and a lot of good spirits. Great views from the top of the Crag before setting off for Carnforth and a ‘Brief Encounter’.

Lunch at the Lancaster Canal Turn and one or two ‘hick-ups’ of closed canal footpaths before heading off for the tranquillity of Lunsfield Quarry. Out of the quarry woodland through the fields of Nether Kellet and across the M6 to Slyne with Hest; where Peter did his bit for keeping the country side tidy and acquired a discarded mahogany mirror frame.

Final three miles along an old cart track to Bare and through Happy Mount Park in glorious sunshine and onto Morecambe promenade. Past the boxing heavy-weight World Champion’s house and return to the cars after 19.5 miles at 5.00pm.

Many thanks to Hilary, Peter and Robert for the good humour and a grand days walking.

Arthur Newton