WALKERS:- Anthony, Paddy, Danny, Lawrence, Jim D
Harry, Mick, John W, Martin, John R.
After last weeks cancellation (Who could forget storm "Doris" ?) our intrepid explorers were determined to set forth into the wilds of the Lancashire Countryside. Perhaps "Wilds" is a little too strong a word as we parked in the extremely civilised car park of Whitechapel Village Hall.
We were soon booted up and on our walk back down the road along which we had just driven. We very shortly arrived at the church and as is our wont we stepped aside to visit it.
Lawrence's comment that the header tank for the toilet
We next passed the infamous "Cross Keys" pub which in the past had been a decidedly "Rustic" hostelry which was so un-salubrious as to earn the local nickname "The Dorchester".
It was in the process of being turned into a rather swish "Holiday Complex".
Only a little further and we left the highway and began the gentle climb up the "Southern Slopes" of Beacon Fell.
Storm "Doris" had of course left a legacy and we were soon seeing warning signs of a wet walk to come.
According to map our path would take us past "Waterfalls". As we passed through the first farmyard we enquired about these waterfalls. Their replies were somewhat dismissive of this water feature !!
We left this farmyard to the barking of an excited but friendly dog whose pen we had to pass.
The narrow gate gave out onto open fields which were, for the moment, relatively dry and allowed a wide panorama of the countryside to the south of us. St Walburges Spire stood out on the skyline.
For some reason our entire intrepid band chose to ignore the next stile. This is very bad form !
.......and then we arrived at "Swallow Falls"...ahem... we had to "swallow" hard not to come out with a stream of derogatory comments. "I get more out of our bathroom shower" was one comment.
It was rather pretty but as our next photo shows it wasn't very big.
The sun was shining and the waterfall was in a sheltered spot so we decided to rest here awhile and have our coffee break.
A broad gravelly path led us away from "The Torrent" and onto the highway leading in turn to the tiny but very pretty hamlet of Crombleholme.
The highway continued past the hamlet but we left it almost as soon as we were past the buildings. A private road (footpath permitted) took us through a fishing and holiday complex (Wood Fold) which was a delightful mixture of old and new buildings.
At this point we temporarily lost our way.Three factors contributed to this.
1. Our glorious leader became confused. (neither a rare nor unusual occurrence.)
2. We were at the edge of two map pages both of which were only faintly printed
3. One of the footpath arrows had come loose and pointed to the right instead of straight ahead
So.... confusion reigned.
The offending, loose. dangling footpath arrow !
A friendly local put us back on the right track (Twice !)
Back into open fields which this time WERE very wet and heavy and it was a steady, mud-sucking plod to reach the next section of highway.
Our arrival at the next stretch of highroad was greeted by a wild flurry of wind-blown sleet. This only lasted briefly and we were now actually in grounds of Beacon Fell Country Park. The road led us into the park to a point at which we turned aside to find the quarry car park. Here, as the sleet and rain eased off we looked for a place to have lunch ......... and found one.
Lunchtime and Harry seems to be demonstrating some Morris dance moves.
John R and Paddy suggest a visit to Parlick (dimly seen top left) someone (Lawrence) commented...
"Off you go then !"
The wet conditions underfoot continued as we approached the "Trig" point on Beacon Fell.
Double Trouble Doubled !!
Our friends abandon the path. Wonder Why ?
A photo of a lovely pillar spoiled by a group of old F***s
Now at the Zenith of our walk we turned downhill through the woods with the encouragement of a dry cafe with Hot Chocolate and coffees at the end of the track. The wood held several sculptures....
One of these two is famous for it's wisdom...ahem !
Very appropriate. Having slithered all day we find ..
A SNAKE
The woods soon ended and we followed the track down towards the visitor Centre (and CAFE) at the main car park on Beacon Fell.
A brief stop here for those who chose to do so to have a drink whilst others found themselves fascinated by the visitors to the bird feeders outside. Away from the centre and leaving the confines of the country park we wended our way through a plantation of young trees which not being on the map were slightly confusing.
After the young woodland the path dropped steeply down to the road. So steep was it that we had to tread very cautiously and hang onto the branches of several handy holly bushes (Owch ! Ouch ! Owch !) to slowly negotiate this small but tricky descent.
Back on Terra-a-bit-firma we followed the road for about half a mile before once again taking to field tracks. Our steps continued to be dogged by the mud but not for long as we soon arrive at our last tiny stretch of road.
And so our walk ended in the Whitechapel Car Park where we were soon divested of wet togs and on our way. A varied and sometimes tiring walk owing to the conditions.
Odd Photos:-
Odd Photos:-
Rooted to the spot !
Setting off in the wrong direction.
Harry stepping out in stile ?
No comments:
Post a Comment