Mist Over Pendle

BARROWFORD  6 Miles ?

Walkers :- John W, John R, Danny,   Paddy,  Anthony 
                   Jim D and Martin

With dark grey skies and the threat of rain in the air we pulled into a car park opposite the delightful "Pendle Heritage Centre," buildings.  It took a little while to get ready as the conditions warranted "Full"  waterproofs. (Just in case) . Once suitably dressed we set off through the surprisingly charming little town. It was not far along the main street before we turned right at a junction and started what was to be a steady and at times steep climb up into the surrounding countryside.   Within minutes we had climbed out of the valley and away from the built up area. Wonderful views had been promised but with all this drizzly mist ?

Progress was necessarily slow as the slope was steep, the ground was remarkably soft and after our last encounter (see Martin and the ditch in Eccleston walk) we were taking extra care over the wet and slippery stiles.

Here we are negotiating one such stile after stopping for coffee in the shelter of the half-ruined barn.

Onwards and upwards and the sky seemed to be lifting as we approached the top of the ridge. Not so ! As we topped the ridge, great views were glimpsed before us but as we climbed over a drystone wall to turn left the wind picked up and the rain began to lash down.

The rain did not last and we soon reached the highest point of our walk. Here a right turn took us "Through" a drystone wall  (Wet actually !) and the path led us steadily down hill. It was steep and slippery so once again we were on our guard. As we descended the clouds began to lift and Pendle (With misty head wear) appeared beyond further ridges. Our surroundings were an almost magical, picture book ideal of a country valley. And there is Pendle. Like a whale breeching amongst the great, green waves,

Our careful progress was to be rewarded as we arrived at a very pretty hamlet which provided us with an equally pretty and comfortable dining spot on the banks of a small river. (Pendle Water.)

As we sat munching a rather snooty young lady clip-clopped past on a large horse, a bunch of raggle-taggle youths shouted a cheery hello as they walked past and just before we left a couple of walkers asked if parking was allowed nearby.  We magnanimously gave them our permission !!!

Off again and soon we were passing a beautifully tinted stand of trees. Here we paused for photo before leaving the road and edging past a large "Hereford" beast of unidentifiable sex. (Are there trans gender bovines ?) 

 Another photo stop as we come across an unexpectedly steep (but mercifully short)  climb away from the river valley

 At this point our two illustrious leaders had their customary "civilised" discussion about the way forward.  Between them the way forward was decided.
From here on the path WAS downhill all the way. With plenty of blue sky now above us and the view changed from enchanting countryside to terrific townscape we sat to gaze at the urban sprawl before us. This lacked the bucolic beauty of our earlier views but still had a mesmeric affect as we simply sat and gazed. 

We were now rapidly approaching the end of our walk but as we crossed the last couple of fields we came across a sheep in distress. It was on it's back and couldn't right itself , A very dangerous situation for a sheep. BUT....Big John came to the rescue and helped it back on it's feet.  He was most aggrieved when the sheep ran off without a word of thanks. I think he may have said some unkind words to it and I could swear I heard the sheep mutter "...and ewe "

 And so back into Barrowford.  It took several questionings of locals before we found our way  into the superb Victorian park on the other side of Pendle Water. In here the path led us to the Heritage Centre where we stopped for several minutes watching Salmon (or sea trout ?) leaping the weir.

 The enticing cafe at the heritage centre "sucked" us in and after  downing welcome "Brews" we left to cross the road and prepare to leave for home,  BUT NOT BEFORE consuming some of John R's home made ginger cake, SUPERB ! especially as he assured us it was made by his own fair hands. I suspect that when his "Boss" reads this the truth will out. (We will inspect his scars on our next walk.)
Not a bad walk by John's standards but be warned he will return to his principal of RANDOM RAMBLING !