WALKERS :- Harry, Martin, John R,
James, Anthony, John
After an initially hesitant start we arrived in Slaidburn and parked up by the river. We quickly "Togged" up and were on our way. The weather forecast was not good but we were soon happily tramping across the fields towards our first goal, a little humpbacked bridge were coffee was to be taken.
No rain so far !
A clear track weaved its way through the fields towards our second goal which could now be seen on the near horizon. A large Tudor House the home, long ago, of Sir Stephen de Hammerton who was beheaded for his part in the "Pilgrimage of Grace". A protest against Henry VIII and amongst other things his dissolution of the monasteries .
No rain as yet !
Once past the Tudor house a gentle but steady climb took us towards a wood at the top of the hill. As we approached it we veered to the left and passed through a gate before dropping steeply down to the dam holding back the rather diminished waters of stocks reservoir
No rain yet !
After a delayed start lunchtime was upon us and as we walked along the edges of the reservoir we were consciously looking for a suitable dining spot . There was little in the way of shelter so instead we opted for a viewpoint over the half-empty "Lake".
Not Raining Yet !
Lunch consumed and once again on the track. This time heading for our third goal the "Rescued Church". The open terrain on the side of the reservoir ended as we entered quite a thick and tangly wood much to "Shepherd" John's approval. "Proper walking this." he averred. (Superfit septuagenarians can be something of a problem.)
This led us to a tarmacked road which we followed as far as the tiny St James church which had been moved and rebuilt when the valley was flooded for the reservoir. It now doubles as an information centre.
Here after reading several information panels placed around the beautifully looked after tiny interior we were entertained by Anthony on the little church's harmonium.
Rain ? Not yet !
Immediately after leaving the church the road led steeply upwards and as we tramped our way up we recalled the day when we had to push our cars through the snow in order to get to the top. Quite a scarey moment that had been as we struggled to end our days walk.
Now we almost missed the footpath sign which for some reason was on the WRONG side of the road and was old and nearly blended in with the surrounding foliage. This pointed us to a tiny path through a narrow wood from which we debouched by way of rather a tricky stile next to a trickling rivulet.
Rain ? NO !
We now passed two farms - Brook House and Rain Gill both obviously sited next to waterways and both leading us into remarkably pretty area which led to the choice of title for this piece. We almost seemed to be in a remote and secretly charmed land. Delightful !
BUT ! at last what we had expected arrived..... RAIN !
Our route had now been sloping downwards for perhaps a half a mile through this gentle. "faraway" land. Then we arrived at a bridge over "Barn Gill"
after which the land quickly and boggily sloped upwards to eventually take us back to Hammerton Hall and onwards to Slaidburn.
The RAIN was now relentless and steadily getting heavier !
And so to a wet and tired (some of us !) ending to an interesting and enjoyable walk.
Though wet on the outside we were still happy to wet ourselves inside, courtesy of Martins generous largesse.
...and so off we drove home in HEAVY RAIN ! ! !
Immediately after leaving the church the road led steeply upwards and as we tramped our way up we recalled the day when we had to push our cars through the snow in order to get to the top. Quite a scarey moment that had been as we struggled to end our days walk.
Now we almost missed the footpath sign which for some reason was on the WRONG side of the road and was old and nearly blended in with the surrounding foliage. This pointed us to a tiny path through a narrow wood from which we debouched by way of rather a tricky stile next to a trickling rivulet.
Rain ? NO !
We now passed two farms - Brook House and Rain Gill both obviously sited next to waterways and both leading us into remarkably pretty area which led to the choice of title for this piece. We almost seemed to be in a remote and secretly charmed land. Delightful !
BUT ! at last what we had expected arrived..... RAIN !
Our route had now been sloping downwards for perhaps a half a mile through this gentle. "faraway" land. Then we arrived at a bridge over "Barn Gill"
after which the land quickly and boggily sloped upwards to eventually take us back to Hammerton Hall and onwards to Slaidburn.
The RAIN was now relentless and steadily getting heavier !
And so to a wet and tired (some of us !) ending to an interesting and enjoyable walk.
Though wet on the outside we were still happy to wet ourselves inside, courtesy of Martins generous largesse.
...and so off we drove home in HEAVY RAIN ! ! !
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