The Meanderthals: BUFFALOS & DEATH VALLEY !

BARTON to INGLEWHITE 7 Miles

WALKERS :- Mike, Danny, Vic, Martin, James, John W.

With today's walk "advertised" as flat, unchallenging and ultimately "Dull" we parked the cars in an amazingly large lay-bye (for a country lane) and set off on a walk which actually proved to be, at times, very interesting, quite challenging and NOT in the least dull.

Jepps Lane, in which we had parked, continued for some way crossing as it did the M6 motorway.

"He's at it again." Thinks Martin - "But what exactly is it he's at ?"

As Jepps Lane gave way to a farm track we came across the first evidence of the waterlogged nature of the terrain ahead of us.

"Double, Double, Looks like trouble"

Once on to farm tracks proper it quickly became obvious that we were crossing farmland that was prosperous and well tended. Large, modern and well maintained gates coupled with sturdy , clean stiles were the norm.

Always on the look out for interesting, dry and comfortable coffee spots we could hardly resist this pile of logs.

Coffee and a snack.

Thirsts quenched we continued along the track to arrive at the large group of buildings "Park Head" farm perhaps better known as the cheese manufacturer at Carron Lodge.....

Here we came across our first surprise. Inside one of the buildings we passed were a jostling group of large beasts with big horns. "What are those ? " was the question asked of a passing worker. BUFFALO ! came the astonishing reply. Quite obvious when we looked again just entirely unexpected.

Wow ! Of course. if you make "Buffalo Cheese" you need Buffalo (Buffaloes ?).
"What are they like to handle ?"
"Difficult. If they don't want to do something - they won't."

Hope those bars are strong. These are the animals that kill more people in Africa than any other species. (including Lions)
Oops ! Cardinal Error, These are not African Buffalo but their domesticated Asian cousins. Still wouldn't fancy walking through a field of them.

We continued through this very large complex of buildings , meeting as we did the owner who was known to those of us who bowled for Whittingham Club. After chatting briefly he pointed us in the direction of the footpath which would lead us to Latus Hall Farm. The path went through the "Back Yard" of the farm which like many farms was littered with old rusting equipment. We crossed a small bridge and emerged into a very boggy field then on to another field full of apparently over-ripe wheat.

It was at this point we discovered that Danny had come with ulterior motives. He was "Foraging." the poncey name for what we as kids called "Blackberrying" an ancient and worthy and worthwhile rustic pastime.

We walked on through Latus Hall Farm which seemed to have been developed into a group of extremely "Des-Res's".

On reaching the highway shortly afterwards, a left turn would continue our walk or a right turn would take us quickly into the tiny hamlet of Inglewhite. We turned right.

A seat in the middle of the tiny, triangular village green was an ideal spot for lunch .

As we sat, a delightful lady came out of one of the houses to take photos of the "Lovely People" on the green. DID SHE MEAN US ? Apparently she did !!!.

And here she is.

Lunch over we set off to go back past the point at which we had joined the road. First however we paid our respects to the village cross.

Not far beyond our entrance point the road took a sharp right turn but our path lay straight ahead across the fields. The Gate was locked and the stile to one side of it proved not a little challenging ( !!! )

Once past these obstacles we felt a little confused but soon had ourselves back on track until we came to an overgrown bridge around which secateurs had to be used to enable us to get across.

Here's Vic chopping away with the secateurs. There's a bridge in there somewhere.

Once across the bridge we had a couple more fields to negotiate and a farm to pass before arriving once more at a highway. First, however, we had to cross this raging torrent of a ford. NOTHING daunts a Meanderthal !!!

We only took to the road for a few minutes before once again following farm tracks towards our final destination.

Just as we had arrived at the side of the road, however, was a motoring mirror which your writer approached.

"Mirror, Mirror on the road.

Is this John about to be mowed"

(Down, by a large tractor)

Past Fisher's Farm and then Jack Nook Farm and across another sodden field and we arrived at the motorway. We were ready for a break and were looking for a place to sit with our flasks. The vicinity of the motorway was FAR TOO NOISY !

Up over the footbridge

Then down the other side.

Once over the motorway the obvious choice was a tree filled hollow not many yards away. This sheltering fold found us a little reluctant to leave it was so pleasant sitting in the warm afternoon sun. But...upwards and onwards.

"High on a hill........... "

In another hollow across the field "Death" confronted us ........... in the form of a group of mysteriously dead trees. We immediately christened it "Death Valley" (It was in another hollow)

From here we followed the edge of the busy motorway over a couple of stiles

across a final large field , through a gate and onto Jepps Lane close to where the cars where parked. Martin's Shandy once more and a final presentation by Mike of the "Walker of the Week" trophy to John W for delivering a good walk when a DULL one was promised.

THE END

Unused photos :-