The Pictures:-

                                                                                Start of Walk                                                                                                                    Walk leader - Yours truly - Stan

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

The Walk:-

Walk leader - Stan Bradshaw

Distance - 12.4 miles

Number on walk - 20

Weather - Perfect dry Spring day

This was the first of the slightly longer Tuesday walks and it was encouraging to see 20 members mustering at the start. No doubt the promise of good weather and this being a new area to several of our newer members was a factor in this respect.

The path we took made its way up through bilberries in the lower section, then over rough, rocky ground to the top of Clougha Pike.  From there we continued along over Grit Fell to join a well graded estate road, which we followed in a southerly direction to a shooting hut. This being too good an opportunity to miss we borrowed the wooden benches from the hut and set them up outside for an early lunch break.

These benches are no doubt there for the benefit of eminent bottoms belonging to the ‘Duke’s’ shooting parties, who would in the shooting season take luncheon there, complete with table cloths, napkins and good quality wine. We merely plonked our common LDWA bums on them and ate ‘us butties’ accompanied by a flask of coffee. Hey, sat out there in the sun, I bet we enjoyed our break every bit as much as they would do.

With the hut restored to how we found it, we dropped down to Grizedale Bridge, then followed the Tarnbrook Wyre to Abbeystead. How lovely the countryside looked in its new greenery, bathed in warm sunshine, with sheep and young lambs happily grazing away.

Having lost all our height it was now time to start gaining it again, as we headed up through fields to Christ Church, known locally as the ‘The Shepherd's Church’. Not only does the church have a commanding position over Over Wyresdale, it has a loo at the back which our ladies took advantage of, before continuing up through fields to Meeting House Farm and a Quaker cemetery, where we rested our bones, stretched out in the dry grass, for afternoon coffee.

They all looked so comfortable, it seemed a shame to disturb everyone, but we had to move on. Upwards at first past Lower Moor Head and Lee Tenement, then downhill through Hare Appletree Farm and Low Pleasant to Rigg Lane, which we followed back to our cars.

The reaction at the end indicated most had really enjoyed the walk, the weather and the lovely countyside.

Thanks to all who came along, many happy returns to Clare who will be having a landmark birthday this week, whilst away on a surprise holiday. Finally I hope Julie has now shaken off the malaise that was troubling her on the walk.

 Stan