A group of 13 of us set off from Botany Bay on a very grey drizzly morning.  Botany Bay was originally known as Canal Mill and was built in 1855 when the Lancashire cotton industry was at the forefront of cotton manufacturing,

Due to all the rain the route had been adapted to avoid the worst of the mud but not wanting people to feel deprived there was still some to squelch through.

We set off to climb up Healey Nab (a Royal Hunting ground in the middle ages).  This was probably the muddiest part of the walk and was quite hard going. Having reached the top we followed the bridle track down to Kays farm.  This stony track is also known as Heapey Fold Lane and is reputed to follow the line of the old Roman Road towards Mellor Signal Station. To avoid a particularly flooded stile we continued on tarmac and followed Back Lane along to the Yew Tree pub and the end of Anglezarke.  Here we caught up with quite a large flock of sheep who were being moved very slowly by 2 men on quad bikes and 2 dogs along the road.  No idea where they were heading but we were glad we weren’t in one of the cars stuck behind them. We left the sheep to climb the path up the side of “The Steps” (the overflow) from Yarrow.  Just to confirm how much rain there has been there was actually water rushing down the overflow which is quite a rare sight. Continuing along the track to the minor road we crossed Alance Bridge and then left the dryness of the road just before Wilcocks farm to head across the moor towards the infant river Yarrow.

We stopped for a short lunch break here.  There were several convenient stones to sit on and it was sheltered although the persistent drizzle didn’t encourage us to linger long!

A short squelch up the path to Simms we joined the track to Lead Mine Clough.  Lead was mined here from 1690 to 1830 although the yield was always small. A short stop at the airman’s memorial to catch our breath and we continued on to join Moor road at  Jepsons Gate. This we followed down past Manor House and Siddow Fold before heading through the wood and across fields towards White Coppice Farm.Avoiding an impossibly muddy bit of footpath we continued on the road as far as Causeway Farm.  This did allow us to spot the friendly emu (or was it a rhea) in the garden of Causeway Farm.  Not your average farm pet!!The final part of the walk was along the fishing lodge to bring us out on Higher House Lane.  It was then all road back to the cars at Botany Bay.

Despite the best efforts of the weather it was a nice walk and enjoyed by all.  It was a shame we didn’t get to see the views but never mind we will just have to try it again sometime and hope for a clear day!!

To see  who came on the walk please press the photo below

To see the other photos please click Here