NEWTON - SLAIDBURN - NEWTON
6 Miles
Walkers- JohnW (leader), John R, Martin, Danny, Mike, Jim and Anthony.
We left Newton in Bowland at 10.30 but not without difficulties. An invitingly cropped pathway between houses led us over a stile and up a steeply sloping field. We realised that our path was heading the wrong way and returned to the village were some friendly locals invited us to take the path through their lovely garden and guided us on our way. By now 11 0'clock was almost upon us and at the top corner of a field, a seat, just through a gate in a small wood, invited us to sit and drink - so we did.
The wood was obviously recently planted and did not appear on our maps and this fact was to lead to some confusion. A footpath sign told us to take a path INSIDE the wood but the real path was closely parallel but OUTSIDE the wood, A short sojourn through wood soon showed us the "error of our ways" - literally ! and once again we were on our way now crossing a beautifully buttercupped field, (Which Danny recognised immediately.)
Errors hopefully now behind us we strode confidently forward, Through a small wood and then a left turn towards a line of distant fells which for once non of us could name. (on returning home a check of maps revealed that they were Beatrix and Burn fells.) We were now walking across open fields through scattered groups of sheep and with a feeling of wide open spaces with distant panoramas on all sides. Over another stile and onto a track which led us towards the intriguingly named "Pain Hill Farm" The footpath paid scant attention to this group of buildings but quickly turned away and aimed itself at a large spread of buildings on the near horizon.
At this point we left (deliberately) the route downloaded into the GPS and followed a path which John had considered as he had been planning. This took a small detour and encompassed Parrock Head Farm. The sheer magnificence of the buildings, walls and particularly the stiles spoke volumes of the money which had been lavished on it , A delightfully garrulous local told us that the farm belonged to Tony Moore part of the family owning the John Moores stores and catalogue business, He added that no trouble or expense had been spared and he knew this as he had done much of the work." He's into Limousins" he explained. "Limousins ?" See below !
These are a very handsome breed of beef cattle originating in the Limoge area of France. Along with their french cousins the Charolais they have been a welcome addition to the "National Herds". This helpful gentlemen even apologised for the condition of the stile we used to leave the farm. "Another job I have to do." he said. The field we emerged into looked suspiciously like a hay field with lush grass and a healthy scattering of Wildflowers. We crossed it in single file ! and after weaving through the buildings of the next farm found ourselves on the road to Slaidburn but not before passing the 17th century Ellerbeck Hall.
Not many minutes later we were admiring the many old stone buildings that we passed as we entered Slaidburn. One of them caused Danny to wonder about the "Health and safety
issues surrounding a trip up the "Apples and Pears" not to mention the possibility of damp "jimjams" at a rainy bedtime.
There was so much to see and admire as we ambled through this attractive little hamlet that it took us quite a while to reach the riverside where we planned to have lunch. Not least was a horse trough or "Fountain" dedicated to Queen Victoria which was full of coins tossed in, presumably, by passing visitors. Lunchtime is, invariable, a pleasant session accompanied by lots of laughter and chatter.
Simply
"Love"
Danny's
Jodhpurs
The Fit (Foolish ?) guys tried to prove something.
What ?
"Working on the Chain
gang"
"Because you're mine.
I walk the line."
Our path now followed the banks of the Hodder as it wound it's way to the distant confluence with the Ribble .............."in Mitton's Domain,"........as we all know. Don't we ? A brief departure from the bank as we passed by the faux medieval towers of Dunnow Hall
and so across to the other side of the river where our path led quite quickly back to Newton and yet another welcome glass of shandy. before arriving however a minor miracle occurred as Anthony demonstrated "WALKIN' on WATER" in his waterproof socks. Yes dear reader WATERPROOF SOCKS !!!
This walk had so much more to offer than the writer feels able to mention. Perhaps others will fill in the gaps. (Danny's or Anthony's photos? or even Jim's.)
