The Meanderthals: July 2017

WADDINGTON 7 Miles

WALKERS :- Paddy, Anthony, Vic, Martin, Danny
John R, John W, James, Tony (visitor)

A year ago Tony N came from Spain to join us on a walk. IT RAINED ! This year Tony N came again from Spain to join us a on a walk, IT RAINED ! Next year he ain't comin' ! ! ! (Well... maybe we'll let 'im.)

After parking, in a very convenient roadside car park at the far side of the lovely village of Waddington, we walked back through village and it's multitude of old and most handsome buildings.

Here we passed an old telephone booth which like others we have seen had been fitted with a "Defibrillator". An excellent use for a redundant piece of street furniture.

At the top of the high street we veered right to pass a number of houses with superbly maintained and planted gardens. Amongst the buildings we passed were the very pretty "Almshouses" surrounding their own beautiful central garden and alongside their own chapel. James told us they were endowed by the former owner of Browsholme Hall.

The garden and the Almshouses

Here we see Danny at the gates to the Almshouses. Checking out availability for future reference ?

We left Waddington behind us and set off across the fields towards West Bradford. In the misty distance can be seen the buildings of Clitheroe's cement works and beyond that the dim bulk of Pendle Hill. Very shortly we arrived in the equally pretty if somewhat smaller village of West Bradford.

We took coffee amid the flowers where the local dignitaries had elected to place a most generous length of "Bench".

Up till now the day had been dry if decidedly grey. This was not to last.

We were now following the banks of the River Ribble where bridges took us over several small side streams whose brown flood waters were rushing to join the already powerfully turbulent rush of waters foaming down the valley.

The smooth waters of the river break over stepping stones now hidden in the depths. Note the bench just visible on the far bank. We will see it again later.

Although darkly grey the day was warm and at least one walker had shed the sweat inducing waterproofs. A mistake ? The rain began to spatter down upon us and was to get steadily heavier for the next hour or so.

Godfrey the Gamp !

Further along the river bank we walked through a group of large beasts who, totally unperturbed by our passage , watched with limpid eyes and remained "grounded" placidly chewing their cud. I think they were "Limousins".

With the increasingly heavy rain making walking uncomfortable we opted to take an early lunch break as soon as a half decent stopping place was found. We had arrived at the point where Anthony had planned to lead us away from the river bank and up onto higher land. Here two large trees offered us a degree of shelter and we stopped and settled beneath them.

As we sat "dripping" the decision was taken not to walk away from the river into land which looked as if it might be quite exposed but to follow the river to the next bridge and return along the opposite bank. The downpour continued and Paddy sadly announced a "Broken Brolly" The rest of the group were characteristically unsympathetic.

A trusted friend callously cast aside ?

No - just a broken brolly.... or was it ?

Although we all had full waterproofs the continuous rain was beginning to find the weaknesses in our defences and hoods were pulled out and used to come to the aid of soggy dripping hats.
The rain had now reached silly heights (HEIGHTS ? it's coming DOWN Mr writer.) and we stopped to watch a veritable waterfall running down the side of a tree. The following photo is NOT clear as the heavy rain obscured the lens,

We followed Vic up this short flight of steps past the "Niagara" tree when "Lo and Behold" the sun broke out and the rain stopped. YIPEE !

The ground beneath or feet , however, remained determinedly damp.

The steps led to a path which in turn took us to the road. We took a right turn then right again and soon arrived at a bridge over the river.

Although clouds now obscured the sun a fresh breeze was breaking them up and large patches of blue were appearing. Over the bridge we dropped off the road through a puddley stile to follow the river bank for some hundred yards or so,

The puddley stile - more like a foot bath.

Back on the road then a short steep climb to a stile taking us into field high above the river bank and leading to a dense patch of woodland.

Tony, our visitor from Spain chats to the Hibernian branch of the Meanderthals.

On entering the wood a well trodden and straight path led us steadily downwards whilst affording interesting glimpses of the river far below us. One of the trees we passed had an impressively large canker growing round it.

It almost seemed to echo the shape of the rucksacks the group were wearing. The arrow straight path eventually took us down, out of the wood and back onto the banks of the river.

We now stopped briefly for a "Comfort" break

(behind the tree dear reader - behind the tree !)

Whilst Danny showed us his class by drinking straight out of his flask - NO CUP - I ask you !

We continued along the river bank as the path became rather rocky and close to the water.

Do you remember the bench mentioned as being barely visible on the opposite bank. Well here it is again being occupied.

Looks like we've been photo-bombed by a passing stranger. ( Fourth from the left at the back)

In front of the group Danny volunteered to cross the river on the stepping stones. I lie dear reader. Danny is not that daft . Only two of the stepping stones showed their heads above water and even they were extremely dodgy.

The awful weather conditions had not been conducive to nature watching (eyes down watch the muddy terrain.)

but there was one picture worth taking.

"Quack Quack" X 40

Nature however, invariable shows it's hand during our walks and it is not the first time we have come across a battle between a tree and a stile. so far -- trees 2 stiles 0

Valiant Vic's Vigorous Vaulting. or something.

Almost at journey's end as we approached the bridge near West Bradford.

You may not have noticed but as the day nears it's end .......WE HAVE SHADOWS !

Over the bridge .. upon which we encountered a strange mystical beast. Whatever is it ? Answers on a postcard please.

Over the bridge and down to the river bank for the last time.

Nearing Waddington we plunged down a steep embankment then up the other side. No photos, the cameraman was busy trying to stay on his feet. As we entered Waddington we had a last look back to see Pendle at last looking clear in the now bright light of the late afternoon.

Well done Anthony a good walk in spite of the very trying weather.

(You've forgotten to mention the shandy. Oh dear so I have................ Martin's shandy was once again much appreciated by everyone !)

More photos :-