Tuesday 10 January 2023   A Witton Wander

Walk Leader - Neil Harwood

Number on walk - 11

Distance - scheduled to be 11 miles but shortened to around 7 miles

Weather -WET.

There is not much to report about this walk as the winter gave us everything it could! It was wet and rained for most of the day, but the main problem was the sheer amount of water underfoot. It should have been a good walk for winter, but I had not bargained for the amount of rain in the previous few days.
Eleven hardy, or is that fool hardy, members met in Witton park. There was some talk of canceling but we are the LDWA and certainly not on my walk. So through Witton park and up to the woods on Billinge Hill. I had decided to miss out the viewpoint at the top of Billinge Hill as it has little view these days due to trees although the historical plaque still remain commemorating the local court held here in 1429.
Therefore, it was straight to Wainwrights viewpoint with no view today. I was then made aware that one walker's boot had fallen apart but it was blowing a gale with driving rain so we quickly retreated down the hill to effect repairs. Tape and a shoelace later we carried on to the road. At this point five walkers decided to head back the quick way along the road including the boot. Sensible in the circumstances.
The smaller group of six carried on to Alum Scar, the site of a quarry and chemical works dating back to the early 1600. At this point I decided to miss the two mile leg out to Samlesbury Bottoms and we followed the Witton Way down to Houghton Bottoms. It was still raining and the River Darwen was very full as we crossed over the footbridge. It was my intention then to complete the loop to Hoghton Towers, Riley Green and back through the River Darwen gorge back to Hoghton Bottoms but after a short lunch in which we all got colder and wetter we headed back to Witton via Pleasington using the shortest route possible and as many roads as possible. The walk was no longer fun if it ever was that day. But I think it showed that you need to be able to adapt your planned walk to suit the circumstances and bear in mind that winter walking should always be treated with caution.
Bring on Spring!