SLIP SLIDIN' AROUND

BRINDLE 5 Miles

Walkers :-  Anthony, Jim D, Paddy, Mick, Frank,
                   Mike, John W, Danny, Vic, John B. (New)

 4 regulars missing but we had a surprising 10 walkers

With an enigmatic weather forecast which leaned towards the pessimistic we set off from Anthony's and drove out past Hoghton Tower to the small village of Brindle. Here we parked at the Village Hall and climbed the short hill back up to the church of St James. The secret location of the key had been "leaked" to us and we were soon inside this ancient church with it's abundance of stained glass. 

With the sunlight streaming through the door behind us a board spelt out an apt message for the day.

The beautifully carved cover of the baptismal font was greatly admired  (Anthony knows it's name !) and our explorations revealed much of interest. Not least, to one simple minded character, a collection of "Eggs".

 Paddy takes a close interest in one of the wall hangings.

While others admired the stained glass 

(notice the sun is still shining)

Leaving the key in it's "Secret" hiding place we left St James church and set off on our walk proper.

The sun gave a final bow as we walked down the lane and past the car park again. It now began to rain heavily and there were even hailstones thrown in for good measure.

As the lane took a sharp right, a less than inviting stile took us into a muddy, sodden field. This, unfortunately, was to be the theme for most of the day.

We crossed a couple of wet fields and entered, for a short distance, another country lane. before turning down a farm track towards "Lady Hall" farm,

Have we already introduced the idea of "Wetness" ?

Arriving at "Lady Hall" a dry Dutch Barn looked an excellent place for the morning coffee break. On asking permission to use it we were given a very friendly greeting and the offer of "Hot Water" (if needed) and the use of an outdoor but very civilised toilet.

 Here we are talking to the very charming owner. 

The barn was indeed and excellent spot for coffee break.

With some unusual "live" stock.

Thirsts quenched we continued our wet progress across the next field before dropping down into a narrow wood (according to the map). Now we had to cross a swiftly gurgling stream with the unusual name of "Whave's Brook". As we had to use a bridge to cross it we took the opportunity to take the, by now, obligatory "Bridge" photo.

 Blue is obviously this season's colour.

Over the brook and up a short bank and the path quickly led us through the continuing wood to the towpath of the Leeds/Liverpool canal.

A magnificent but sadly rather derelict mill lined the far bank. This was now obviously used in part as mooring spots for some of the narrow boats using the canal.

Leaving the mill buildings behind we continued along the towpath until we realised that one of our number was missing.   "Nosey" Vic had crossed the bridge (seen in the distance behind us) to find out more about the mill's history. What he found was most interesting.

At the next bridge we had planned to leave the canal and return to the fields. As we gathered on the bridge Vic told us what he had discovered. In a previous life the mill, at Withnell Fold, had manufactured "Bank Notes". Rather surprising !

A rather tall and slippery stile took us away from the bridge and back into the fields. Those tackling it first warned those that were to follow that it was tricky and slippery. Indeed it was. As John W got to the top he proceeded to take to the air in a less than graceful dive and hit the ground with a resounding "Thump" which was apparently recorded on the instruments at "Jodrell Bank".  **

"Oh how are the mighty fallen" or "Pride comes before a fall " 'cos there's certainly non after.

His friends were most solicitous and their concerns were greatly appreciated. Once John had ascertained that there was no damage (apart from that to his pride) the walk continued down a steep slope towards a small but swollen stream and the equally small footbridge which crossed it. This crossing was not to occur, however,  as between the group and the bridge lay a very swampy field. As we tried to walk across it those of us with the more "Comfortable" frames found ourselves sinking deep into the marshy mire. The bold and nimble Danny found that by leaping from tussock to tussock with great speed he could get to the bridge.  The rest, though,  looking at his  lithe frame, declined to follow.    So...back to the canal for a little longer. John was VERY CAREFUL  recrossing the stile.

The next bridge, as well as being our revised departure point, also afforded a sheltered spot for lunch.

C'mon Frank we're ready for off again.

Another challenging stile and a very slippery descent lay before us as we left the canal and slithered down to a small bridge recrossing the stream we had crossed earlier.

From here a stiff climb through still wet fields and then a moment of confusion when we crossed yet another slippery stile before realising that this took us to the wrong side of the hedge and we had to return, Hmph !! Out of the fields and onto a dryish farm track which led us to the small hamlet at the "Top o' th' Lane" . This held a spot in John B's heart (new Boy) as being  one of the haunts of his youth. He did mention THREE girls which seems a bit "GREEDY" to the rest of us.

There was obviously a good community spirit in this tiny settlement as you can see from the next two photos.

Now, once again we took to the fields which were if anything wetter than ever.
As we walked or rather splashed our way back to Brindle a vista to our left caught our attention. Briefly highlighted by the sun (not caught on camera was) was a panorama of Preston with the Deepdale Stadium of Preston North End prominent.

And so back to the cars but not before Vic had another "Nosey" chat to a passing bear.

 "What;s yer name ?" said Vic. The bear declined to answer. 

Back at the cars, in an ego fuelled moment, John awarded himself the "Walker of the Week" cup. Well..... did anyone do anything more dramatic than his Olympic style High Dive ? 

SHEEP NEWS !

The sheep we saw appear to be a dark (melanistic) variant of Herdwick. Typically a Lake District breed. The nearest other breed visually is the Welsh Mountain but they normally have black faces. Cross breeding can make identification difficult.  Now ain't that fascinating ? Answers on a postcard please.

** those of you of a scientific bent would of course have spotted the gross "Howler".  Jodrell Bank could not have recorded John's fall. It is situated on the Cheshire plain were the underlying salt dampens any vibrations so enabling it to be interference free.