Walk Report

Well, at the end of this walk someone said. "I enjoyed that in a perverse kind of way!" It was us against the elements. 13 walkers gathered at Ladybridge including 3 people who have not walked with us before. Setting off we made our way down to the rushing Middlebrook and onto Lostock train station where 2 more walkers joined us. They had abandoned their planned recce due to flood warnings in the area. Moving on, across Regents Park golf course, up to High Rid and onto the first bad mud of the day. There was also a newly fallen tree to negotiate our way round. Onwards and upwards through Old Links golf course and to the first stop at Walker Fold. Some took advantage of the coffee van there, very welcome. The weather had been fine up to now but this changed as we climbed up onto Winter Hill. The clag was down and the rain started. I don't think it stopped for the rest of the day with varying degrees of intensity. Down the Rocky path to Belmont Road and into Longworth Clough. The mud was really bad here and the stream was overflowing in places. We found a spot for a quick lunch and carried on along the valley towards and through Dunscar Golf Club. Here, we made a diversion to drop 2 of the new walkers at the Brewhouse for a taxi home, the conditions proving too much of a challenge. Back up to Horrocks Fold and through Smithills Farm with a look at the wallabies and donkeys. A quick sweetie stop at Smithills Hall (the coffee van had given up and closed early) and along to Moss Bank Park, Doffcocker and return to Ladybridge. Thanks to all who came and braved it all and well done to Denise for completing your first LDWA walk, you can cope with anything after that! A few of us went for a curry afterwards, lovely and warm and a real treat after the conditions of the day. Hilary.

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