Botany Bay, Dec 19th
Botany Bay 19th December 2017
Walk leader: Sue L
No on walk: 20 plus 2dogs
Distance: 10.6 miles
Weather: Very grey and overcast but mild (for the time of year)
I was not sure how many would turn up with less than a week to Christmas. Obviously I was not alone in thinking a walk was far preferable to Christmas shopping as I was very pleased to see 19 people waiting for me at Botany Bay.
I had tried to minimise the amount of muddy fields we would go through so the route followed tracks and lanes where possible.
Setting off along the towpath we soon turned up the road through Little Knowley then on tracks and paths past Higher Healey to reach the top of Healey Nab. A quick stop here to regroup and make sure nobody had wandered off on one of the many cycle paths which now criss cross the Nab.
We then walked along Heapey Fold Lane, past Grey Heights wood and Kays Farm to join Back lane which we followed to Lane Ends (imaginative name!). Crossing the end of Anglezark we climbed up to join the track along the side of Yarrow Reservoir. Heading up towards Lead Mines Clough we made for the Airmens memorial which made a good lunch stop. Unfortunately, the very murky conditions meant we couldn’t fully enjoy the view but with a bit of imagination we could just make out the Pigeon Tower in Rivington Gardens and at least it wasn’t windy or cold!
Suitably refreshed we made our way to White Coppice via Jepsons Gate, Moor Road and the old path along the Goit. On leaving White Coppice we were very pleased to see workman and volunteers putting the finishing touched to a new board walk on the notoriously muddy bit of footpath from White Coppice to the Lodges. We can now put this bit of footpath back on the walks agenda!
Retracing our steps along the road and canal towpath we arrived back at the cars at 2.15pm having walked 10.6 miles.
Despite the rather grey weather it was a good walk. Thanks to everyone who came and joined me.
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