LONDONDERRY AIR

FERNYHALGH  A SHORT...........Walk  5 Miles
 December 3rd
 
Walkers :- James, Anthony, Martin, Harry
                   Mike, John R , John W.

With a frightening forecast of ferocious floods and westerly winds whipping whopping waves from the puniest of puddles our bold band of barmy buddies set of on our weekly walk 

(I think that's enough alliteration for one report, thank you John)   

The walk was practically on our doorstep. Hardly a stone's throw away and a mere five minutes after setting off we were decamping in Ladyewell Lane. Most of the walk would be familiar to the majority of us (Literally from Childhood) and it didn't need a map to show us our route. 

The promised rain did not really materialise 'though the air itself was decidedly damp and there was plenty of evidence of previous rain wherever we trod.

A short distance down the lane we stopped at a field full of sheep in case "The Shepherds" services were needed.

 

On this occasion the sheep were content to graze and John's ministrations were not required but a little further on we came across evidence that our ovine expert had passed this way before.

We stopped briefly at the "Wishing Well" that is to say the "Shrine at Ladyewell" where a gentleman known to several members came out to chat.  He mentioned a case of "Prostrate trouble" (?)  we were entirely sympathetic.

                           Here we are at Fernyhalgh. Feeling blue it would seem.

 Our away now led us down the damp lane towards "Squire Anderton's Wood" where we had played as youngsters. Harry even showed us the tree upon which he had leaned (lent ?) his bike. (mmmmm.....so Harry does know how to ride a bike !!)

 

A left turn led us towards the strong and decorative gates of Haighton House now a Scottish enclave being the home of top Football manager David Moyes. 

 

This Parkland used to be an "Adventure playground" for the children of the 50's but is now beautifully tended but decidedly "Private" estate. As we passed through it Harry showed us the tunnel under the road where as a boy he used crawl through to play at being Robin Hood. In spite of encouragement he deemed it inadvisable to demonstrate this exciting game  now that he was a person of rather more mature years.

 Before leaving the estate we stopped for coffee close to the house itself.

   Then... Heigh Ho ! Heigh Ho ! Across the bridge we go.

                       No self-respecting Troll would eat this lot for supper !

Just across the Bridge a sharp right turn took us steeply (and Muddily) away from the valley and eventually onto a lane which passed "Clock House Farm" the owners of which were once known to James.

                 Clock House Farm with James looking somewhat proprietorial

The path we now had to follow was as straight as a die through several squelchy fields until we reached the roads around Cow Hill.

turning left to continue our circular route we dropped down into the valley (Savick Brook) which we had left a short while before and soon arrived at "Londonderry Bridge ". Sadly there was no "Danny Boy" to serenade us. Rather early for lunch but as this was to be only a short walk we decided to take it here.

 This is typical of John. Completely ignoring the days dress code...I mean RED ..ugh !

From the bridge a well mown path took us round the back of "Londonderry Cottage" but soon it deteriorated into little more than a narrow stream bed tightly bounded by overhanging hedges.  After a hundred metres or so this opened out onto another tarmacked  road where a small reclamation yard filled the air with diesel fumes. Londonderry Air perhaps ? This led us on to D'Urton Lane. A narrow, twisty and busy road which Anthony had quite rightly warned us was very hazardous.  "Single file and cautious" was the order of the day.

     On this actually quite dangerous road Anthony had very sensibly donned "Hi-viz "

Our journey, amazingly rainless (A Ladyewell miracle ?) ended in the usual fashion - Thanks Martin and the leader deemed John R to be walker of the day for his great restraint throughout the walk. Never once disappearing over the horizon. 

My apologies for not reaching "Infinity and Beyond" as promised. Maybe next time !