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Spring Walk June 2007, The Forrest of Bowland
07/6/2007-11/6/2007
Thursday 7th,
Travel day. The weather started with light rain which cleared as we travelled north. We called in at Knutsford services for a pit stop and refreshments, there were no new hills to map this year though!
We stopped at Worston to go for a walk up and around Pendle Hill. The route was Little Mearley Hall, Angram Green, Burst Clough, Pile of Stones, up to the summit of Pendle Hill. At the top it was overcast but dry although windy. As always the sun came out more as we descended. The route down was from the trig point at Big End down the Pendle way to Pendle House, Pendle Side, Barley Lane, Great Coppy, Pendle Hill End Bridge, Hecklin Farm, Lane Head, Clay House, Gerna, Hookcliffe, Radbrook, Worsaw End, Worsaw End House, back into Worston stopping at the Calves Head for light refreshment. To late for meals, but beer and sandwiches good.
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During the walk several types of birds were seen all of the feathered type.
After shopping at Tesco’s for breakfast supplies we went on to the Hostel at Slaidburn. Evening meal was taken at the Hark the Bounty just across the road from the Hostel. Food and Beer to be recommended to all.
Those present on the walk were Paul, Dick, Richard, Andy, Steve, Dave, Ian and Graham. Martin joined us later as he had to work during the day. 9.5 miles walked.
Friday 8th
The weather started overcast but got sunny and hot later.
A circular route from the Hostel was planned with all taking part. The route was as follows leaving Slaidburn via Holmehead Bridge, River Hodder, Hammerton Hall, Higher Laithe, Down to Stocks Reservoir by Valve Tower and along the shore. Then across the Causeway to the picnic site, for elevenses. After a short break we carried on through Gisburn Forest to Bottoms Beck, up around Hindley Head to pick up Bailey Lane which took us to Tosside for lunch.
As we neared Tosside our hearts were in our mouths, the pub looked like a building site. When we arrived at the front of the pub, (The Dog and Partridge), and went through the door, all was well as they were doing food and had beer. The food was excellent and although the beer ran out (we did not drink that much) it was gorgeous.
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We met Pete Thompson who was up to do the 3 Peaks for lunch.
After lunch we continued via Crow Trees but the Inn was closed, (just as well as we had some trouble finding the path to Throstle Nest). Then on to New Laithe, Cracoe Hill, Little Beck, Shays, Meadow Top, Standridge, where we met another friendly farmer with his dogs running free, Pikefield Plantation, Lower High Field, Mellows and back into Slaidburn and the Hostel.
Later, once we had washed and changed, it was decided to return to the Hark the Bounty as it had been so good the night before also it was the only pub in the village. Friday night was fish night, again excellent meals and beer.
We heard of a nesting pair of Eagle owl’s but did not see them. 14.5 miles walked.
Saturday 9th
The weather started fine and sunny. It clouded over later looking like rain, but cleared back to sun.
All drove to Tower Lodge apart from Martin who went for a bike ride.
Today’s route was from Tower Lodge up the Wyre Way to Tarn Brook, up Tarnsyke Clough past Coppy Heads, Luncheon Huts on to Dunkenshaw Fell. Here most took a direct route across to Ward’s Stone. Dick and Ian went the long way staying on paths via Grizedale Head and Cabin Fell to Ward’s Stone as they had various aches but would have been better off taking the direct route. At Ward’s Stone they met Richard who with Dick was going to drive the cars back, the rest walking all the way to Slaidburn.
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We all took the same route after Ward’s Stone, past Queens Chair, Mounds, Grey Crag, and Brown Skye to the trig point on Wolfhole Crag. At Brown Skye a man was exercising a pair of falcons one was a Periguine/Lanaker cross the other a Jess/Periguine/Salker cross.
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Those walking back to Slaidburn carried on past Greenhole Spring to the Hornby Road (Track) an old Roman Road until the House of Croasdale, then via Croasdale House, Shay House, Townhead and back into Slaidburn getting back about 19:00.
Dick, Ian and Richard retraced their steps to cross Woodyards via Brennand Great Hill, Rain Gauge, Millers House, High Tower Plantation, White Moor back down to Tower Lodge and the cars. This should have been an easier option as it was shorter but the paths were not defined across the peat and heather. At one time Dick tried body surfing, a soft landing on the heather though.
We had all been lucky as it was quite dry up top. It would have been a much harder walk in the wet.
Again after a shower we returned to the Hark the Bounty for sustenance, (what a shame). Later when we returned the twitcher's were looking for the owls we could hear hooting. 16 miles walked.
Sunday 10th
The weather was again hot and sunny.
All went on the walk starting from Slaidburn Hostel we followed the River Hodder to Great Dunnow then across to Easington, Padiham Barn, up Far Brown Hill, past The Wife (pile of stones), down the side of Mount Pleasant, Simpshey Hill, Simpshey, Cob House, White Hall, Green Lane, Green Banks, Lane Side, down to the river Ribble, along the Ribble until Bradford Bridge, then up to Waddington School and into Waddington to the Lower Buck Inn for lunch.
After lunch the route was via Hospital Wood, Freazer Wood, Mill Farm, Guttock Clough Farm, and Moorcock Inn then up the road until Walloper Well, then down to Padiham Barn and the reverse of the walk out back to the Hostel
Dick, Richard and Martin stayed in Waddington going to the Higher Buck Inn where the landlord arranged a taxi later for them.
Evening sustenance was again taken in the Hark the Bounty. 16.5 miles walked.
Monday 11th
Again fine and sunny.
Paul, Andy, Graham, Ian and Martin went to see the end of the test match at Old Trafford, Manchester so shot off just after breakfast. As the hostel was self catering only we had to do our own breakfasts but the system worked well, all being fed and watered before leaving for each day’s adventure.
Dick, Richard, Dave and Steve went for a walk around Clitheroe taking in the castle and part of the river Ribble before taking an early lunch at The Calves Head at Worston then on to home.
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