Devil's Footprints, July 15th


Walk Leaders:    Doreen and Gareth

No on walk:       7

Distance:           12.7 miles

Weather:            Hot, dry and sunny

With the prospect of a good day ahead, seven of us left Sabden to find the Devil's footprints left behind when he started throwing stones around in the Pendle area. Passing The Whins we made our way uphill to the Nick O' Pendle and continued on upwards. Turning right now and heading south east for a short time we approached our objective which is to be found at GR SD??? ???Apart from me and Gareth no one in our little party had been there before.

After taking a few pics we continued across the moor on a little used path and after a short coffee stop we crossed Drover Height and Saddlers Height before descending on the Pendle Way and making our way to Barley where a running event was just coming to a close with the last runners arriving at the car park. Lunch was a bit later on though and so we went through Narrowgates to Thorneyholme where we had a bit of fun assisting a farmer and his two helpers in an attempt to round up some sheep who were a bit reluctant to get into the transport awaiting them! We weren't successful though and had to leave them to it.

As we approached Clarion House, our lunch stop, I told them about the group having made a substantial donation of £2000 to them in order to improve the house and which they spent on improving the verandah. A plaque is on a wall in the verandah. We stayed for about 30 minutes (no rush today) before setting off again with the short pull up to Newchurch where we showed them the God's eye on the church tower and the Nuttall's grave in the church yard. Some of the men paid a visit inside the church whilst Sue and I had a shady sit down.

Leaving Newchurch on the Pendle Way we climbed easily to Tyndale Farm and the road junction at Haddings Lane before dropping down to Lowerhouses and Sabden Fold.The final two miles passed Stainscomb with its haunted house reputation and Rattan Clough  descending the lane to Sabden and our cars which we reached about 2.35 pm. We had had a good day with plenty of banter and time to look around at things of interest. Thanks to everyone who came along on what was quite short notice of this walk.

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