The Pictures:-

To see who was on the walk click on the following picture:-

To view all Stan's pictures taken on the walk click 'HERE' then on the first picture to view in full screen. Click small arrow on right to continue.

To view Andrew's pictures taken on the walk click 'HERE' then view as above.

The Walk:-

Walk leader - Andrew Whittaker. Ably supported by brother David

Number on walk - 27 once Chris joined us in Hoghton Bottoms.

Distance - A little short of 10 miles.

Weather - A nice day but very wet/muddy underfoot in places.

Following several days of wet weather we set off on a dry, bright and pleasant early Spring day. The results of the prior rain made the walk very muddy in many places. There were 26 folks and 4 dogs at the start, after about half a mile Chris Seddon energetically jogged along to join us.

 We headed West along Throstle Brow with Pleasington Golf to the left, then down towards the River Darwen. Unfortunately the originally planned route took us over a bridge across the river which had collapsed, so when reaching the river and the remains of the bridge we then looped around Hoghton Bottoms by following the river North to the next bridge and then South towards the railway.

 Before reaching the railway we headed Westerly around the northern edge of the grounds of Hoghton Tower, crossing over the main driveway to the Tower on the way round.

 We then took a Westerly loop around Hoghton and Brindle. We stopped for lunch sitting on a bridge over a stream in view of Brindle Lodge. A pleasant location which gave members of the group plenty of time to blame the walk leader for choosing a route with too much mud!

We then headed North and crossed the A675 to head NE along paths and lanes which took us past the one time Lancashire Police training centre at Stanley Grange.

 Then SE towards the railway line which we crossed twice before heading North to rejoin the loop we had followed on the way out around Hoghton Bottoms and then  along Throstle Nest Brow and back to the Butlers Arms.

 Thanks to all those who came on the walk, apart from the mud everyone seemed to enjoy it - I will research an even muddier route next time I lead a walk!

Andrew.

Thanks Andrew for leading the walk and for sending me this report along with your pictures. Much appreciated.

Stan