A Meanderthal in the Making?

JW age 11! (Got it right this time! A better looking guy!)

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The River Derwent

A cascading weir in the River Derwent at Hoghton Bottoms

More pictures from Hoghton

'Morning Coffee' corner

Weavers' Cottages on the Witton Weavers' Way. These were in use as recently 1971

The railway viaduct carrying the Preston - Blackburn line over the River Derwent

Hoghton Bottoms

The gatehouse on the driveway to Hoghton Tower

The drive is one mile long!

Hoghton - Feniscowles

Hoghton Tower

This was an excellent walk in almost perfect weather! Starting from the B5256 at Riley Green, we left the main road at the Royal Oak pub. The route took us along what was the original driveway to Hoghton Tower. We crossed the current main drive, pausing by the gatehouse for the view up to the tower.

We continued through a picturesque autumnal woodland, pausing for 'morning coffee' before proceeding down to Hoghton Bottoms. We joined the River Derwent at the most magnificent railway viaduct taking the Preston - Blackburn line over the gorge through which the river flowed.

We followed the Derwent, pausing briefly to view a cascading weir. Lunch was taken whilst basking in glorious sunshine before arriving at Feniscowles.  Here our route took us through the derelict grounds of a former paper mill. This was not somewhere where you would expect a fleeting young deer to cross your path - but it did! Blink and you missed it!

Our route then took us over the Leeds Liverpool canal and under the M65 motorway. This was where 'Swampy' and his 'eco warrior' friends tried to prevent the extension of the motorway between Burnley and Preston in 1997.

We continued through Stanworth Farm and Ollerton Fold and after a brief stop for 'afternoon tea', we rejoined the canal and a field track returning to where we had parked. (Total: 7 miles)

Morning Coffee site

We're off again!

We're off again, - out of town,

Weather's good, the sun shines down.

Check who's here, for some can't come,

Other activities share their fun.

A "sporty pair" we cannot bring,

Their season now is in full swing.

Cricket? Tennis? You may ask,

No!  A roll on the green across the grass.

Jobs at home and holiday too,

So you see ....we miss a few.

That leaves five of us today,

In the car and on our way.

To Arkholme  then and we've been told

A thankful village we'll behold.

Boots are on, the route's quite clear,

A steady speed ... well in first gear!

Through the fields and up the hill,

Then coffee time to have our fill.

Interesting things we often find,

The path's been moved ... but never mind.

The sun shines on throughout the day,

"Its boiling hot!" a voice did say.

Sunglasses and the hats are out,

We're thirsty too, there is no doubt. 

A thankful day in a thankful place,

A few miles walked and back at base.

You'll miss these days if you're in France

With glasses of wine and perhaps a dance!

(Martin)

What's this! A Meanderthal with a gun??

Click to play the video!

Bollocks!

A ewe and a ram about to do 'what comes naturally'!

Arkholme - a 'Thankful Village'

This week's walk started and ended in the picturesque village of Arkholme, on the north side of the River Lune to the east of Lancaster. Arkholme is a 'Thankful Village' - one which suffered no losses in the Great War. All 59 men returned safely!

In very promising weather conditions we set off from the centre of the village and walked north-west up a hill with no name between Craven View Farm and Kitchlow Farm, taking a coffee stop on the way.

We continued on to Cinder Hill and eventually to Gunnerthwaite farm, pausing for lunch on the way. We continued in a clockwise direction with a superb view of Ingleborough in the mist.

Returning to the village we explored the cul-de-sac (above) which leads to the Church of St John the Baptist and the River Lune.

Another pic from the Sedgwick walk

The end of the watered section of the Lancaster Canal between Crooklands and Stainforth

"In vacant or in pensive mood"

Harry

Sedgwick & Hincaster

For this week's walk, we welcomed Paddy back to the fold after his enforced absence whilst caring for his carer!

Four of us set off from the centre of Sedgwick, famed for its former gunpowder factory. This area was a limestone producing area and gunpowder was used to mine the limestone. The limestone was transferred by the Lancaster Canal to Lancaster and Preston. The canal also carried coal from Preston to Kendal.

Sedgwick - The bridge in the distance was an aqueduct that carried the Lancaster canal over the road

The Dressers Arms

The re-building of the Dressers Arms restaurant at Wheelton. The pub takes its name from the stone dressers who worked in a nearby quarry.