Wednesday September 18th. Rocking Up and Down. 13 miles. Leader: Andy Griffin.

Seven walkers joined me at Todmorden Sports Centre car-park on the near 13 mile walk which was a clock wise circuit of the Upper Calder Valley to Hebden Bridge via Hole Bottom, Whirlaw, Great Rock, Blachshaw Head and the Colden Valley. Returning along the Rochdale Canal towpath to Todmorden. 

We stopped for two breaks, the first at Great Rock, and then lunch at the Stubbing Wharf pub in Hebden Bridge. The last section was walked at a quick pace to get back for 3.15pm. Everyone enjoyed the walk, and Calderdale looked lovely in the early Autumn sunshine,

Andy Griffin

Fife Coastal Path Trip. September 6 - 11.

Members of East and West Lancs spent 4 days walking 62 miles of the Fife Coastal Path. Below is a photographic record of our adventure.

Day 1. Kincardine to Admiralty Park, Rosyth. 17 miles.

Day 2. Admiralty Park to Burntisland. 16 miles.

Day 3. Burntisland to Buckhaven. 15 miles.

Day 4.Buckhaven to Elie. 14 miles.

Sunday September 8th. Dovestones 10 Reservoirs Circular. 21 miles. Leader: Ann Finnigan.

Dovestone 10 Reservoirs Walk. We actually passed by 12 reservoirs in total... great value for money!

It began with a climb, a long one, but on a good path. The further we climbed, the more drizzle we had, but nobody was down- hearted. Our first stop was at Chew reservoir, followed by a flat but muddy walk across the top of the hill. Then began the descent to 4 reservoirs in the adjacent valley. Lunch was had at the last of these.

A walk through a housing estate took us back to the hills and a further 6 reservoirs.

A final break at Carrbrook, which then led us around a hill back to Dovestone and our cars. Home safely and fairly dry... what more could you ask for? Here's to the next one.

Ann.

Wednesday September 4th. Beacon Bosh. 13.5 miles. Leader: Steve Martin.

Temp 18 Degrees Max

The second part of the two part Beacon Bash started at 10am on the car park at Beacon Country Park, Beacon Lane, Upholland  WN8 7RU.  W.C. available but café closed until 10am. In Attendance there where twelve LDWA members including myself.

The walk started with 60% chance of rain at around 12 o’clock.  Starting off along the now disused golf course, we ascended the Beacon point (172m) built by Sir William Ashurst in 1798 to which the area is named after.  The group traversed a difficult slippery PRW and a damaged  wooden foot bridge to Long Hey’s Lane.  We then turn left and descended the steep lane, turning left across fields to Hillock Lane, Higher Lane and finally Cobbs Brow Lane. The paths muddy in places; slippery down steep, short descents. After a short 150m walk along the busy lane we took a PRW on the right, back across the field to the wood and followed the stream down towards Newburgh.  However, then path was blocked by a fallen tree, which we traversed around.   Once through the wood, we took a drinks break in a Christmas Tree plantation.  It was then onwards to Newburgh.

Once down to the main road (Ash Brow A5209) we took a right turn and after a short distance took the PRW on the left down to the Leeds Liverpool canal. After a short stop (and a few photo’s) in Parbold, we picked up speed along the canal to Apply Bridge where we had lunch at around 12.30hrs.  Just as forecast the heavens opened and most took shelter under the road bridge.  Unfortunately for the group, the decision was made to move before the rained stopped.

It was then a sharp right at the PRW sign on Apply Lane South after crossing the River Douglas, which we then followed along the Douglas before bearing left across the field to the woods and up to Lees Lane.  After a left turn on Lees Lane we then went right at Cross House farm following another PRW.  Due to the rain over the summer, the path hadn’t had time to dry out and was exceedingly muddy; exasperate by the down pour at lunch time.  It was that wet, a Heron had thought it was a good place to fish. We traversed the original PRW on higher ground avoiding the quagmire and stream below.   Once we reached Back Lane we took a left then a right up Stone Hall Lane (more of a path these days).  After the steep climb and no further signs of rain, waterproofs were doffed and we were hit by a welcoming cool breeze.  On reaching Stone House, a slight right took us onto Crow Lane where to turned right.  After a short distance a PRW was taken, descending to Roby Mill. The path weaved its way through very wet, marshy areas, flanked by 2m high balsam, some of us wishing we hadn’t removed our waterproofs so early.  Getting over the stile at the end of the path was more krypton factor test than straight forward step over due to broken pallets being placed over abundant mud beneath.

Once at Roby Mill a left turn to the next PRW on the right, we took the path down past the ‘crocodile and gorillas’ onto Walthew Lane following the broad path some distance to Lafford Lane enjoying a short drinks and sweet stop on the way.  Once reached, a sharp right took us passed Jollies Dean Farm to another PRW on the left up to College Road. Turning left brought us to St Joseph’s College gates were a little history of the college and a bit of trivia was given.   Just passed the gates, Stoney Brow Lane on the right took us up to Mill Lane, straight over and through the hedgerow and across the field took us back to the car park.  A 13 mile, very enjoyable walk, (we had all forgotten the rain by then) with great views.

Five of us had a very welcoming coffee and cake at the café where plans were set for another great walk.

Stephen Martin

Walk leader

Sunday September 1st. Here comes the Currant Bun. 16 miles. Leader: John Shorrt. 

14 walkers and 1 dog (Luna)

Fourteen walkers set off from Sabden for a hilly sixteen mile walk. 

The route followed some sections of the Pendle Way, passing through White Hough and Higherford before the lunch stop at Barley.  We then took the steepest route up to the top of Pendle Hill before crossing the moors back to Sabden. 

It was an excellent walk with very nice people.

John.