A group of 20 of us and 2 dogs set off from the car park off Rivington lane.  The forecast wasn’t exactly for wall to wall sunshine but we were hopeful that (as the weather forecasters had said) the expected rain would manage to stay away until 2.30pm. Wrong – but more on that later!

The initial route (in sunshine) headed up the track past Rivington and Blackrod High School, then past Ormstons farm, round the edge of Wilderswood, up across Wilder’s Moor to eventually reach the mast (which was partly hidden in low cloud) at the top of Winter Hill.  By this time the sun had gone and there was a definite feeling of moisture in the air.  Passing  Scotsman’s Stump -  a memorial to George Henderson a Scottish merchant who was “barbarously murdered “ in 1838 – we headed off down the long, rather badly rutted, track towards the A675. Soon the drizzle got heavier and we all decided that we were going to need waterproofs on.

Crossing the A675 we followed part of the “Amble” route through a rather boggy field, slid down a very muddy slope and continued past the Ornamental reservoir.  The annoying drizzle had now stopped and we had lunch beside the footpath below Lower Whittaker.

Waterproofs safely back in rucksacks we set off again along the end of Belmont Reservoir, through Belmont and followed the path up to Horden Stoops. Yet again the drizzly rain meant waterproofs back on, very annoying as it also obscured the good views which should be visible on a nice August day!

From Horden Stoops we followed the paths via Higher Hempshores to recross Rivington Road.  Then we contoured below Winter Hill to arrive back at the woods near Rivington Hall Barn.  It was then a final mile or two along the well walked tracks through Rivington woods to arrive back at our cars at 2.40pm. 

Despite the weather forgetting it was supposed to be summer and the slightly boggy ground (which isn’t supposed to be boggy in August) it was a good walk.  As always the company was excellent – thank you all for joining me.

Sue

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

To see all the other photos please press Here and then slideshow