DUNSOP BRIDGE

MIDDLE EARTH 6 Miles

WALKERS :- Danny, Martin, Anthony, Frank,

                        John W, Mick, Vic, Dave.

After parking in the centre of the kingdom we set off down the entrance drive to Thorneyholme Hall.

We crossed the bridge and were momentarily led astray by the interesting statues in the grounds.

Are you "Thinking"  about it Dave ?

"You're getting 'otter. "

We retraced our steps just a short distance before following the riverside path as it led us upstream. The wild garlic scented the air and naughty nettles made those of us wearing shorts wonder  -  "Why ?".

With the Hodder to our left we crossed a couple of large fields before realising that it was time for our obligatory coffee break.

From here we dropped down towards the river, passing as we did, the aqueduct taking water from Stocks Reservoir.

keeping close to the river we were now looking for the footbridge to take us over to the other side.

The bridge, when we reached it, proved to be rather exciting, even a little unnerving as it wobbled and swung with our passage. 

Once over the river our path angled gently away as it rose towards a group of buildings along the Dunsop Bridge/Slaidburn road. 

As soon as we reached the road we left it again to follow a farm track through the fields towards a small wood hidden within which was a long disused quarry. We first needed to cross a small stream which tumbled it's way beside us.

Danny arrived first at this little bridge and was surprised to find, laying on it, a rather good pair of small binoculars.  (Olympus)

A short walk through the next field and we were at the quarry where lots of seating spots were on offer for lunchtime.

Before leaving Vic assumed a posture atop a grassy bank. Ah well !  Suppose I had better photograph him !

Off once again. This time heading back towards the river and another "Wibbly Wobbly" bridge.

The field now rose steadily away from the river until we reached the tarmacked road leading to Giddy Bridge (why such a name ?) and giving glimpses of the rather spectacular Knowlmere Manor, As we reached Giddy Bridge a calmly confident sheep paused before us to pose with it's lamb and seemed quite unperturbed by our presence.

From the bridge we left the road and started a steady climb upwards towards the rougher land we had to cross.

The going, though quite strenuous, was across easy terrain. We passed some farm buildings where an ancient Massey Ferguson tractor held our attention for a short time.

I have, at this point,  to say there is more than one meaning (colloquially) to the term "Agricultural".

Upwards and onwards until we left the well tended pastures and began to follow a series of stone markers crossing this little bit of moorland.

............here we were greeted by an upland breed of sheep - a Herdwick. 

Occasional deep gullies took a little negotiating although one was neatly  covered by a simple sort of Clapper Bridge.

Although hardly a challenging wilderness the next mile or so needed caution for our elderly mob. Good solid stiles were greeted with relief.

Time for a brief rest...............

.....and perhaps a timely warning not to take the countryside for granted.

or leave bright litter around (  may NOT be litter !)

A final short but rough stretch and we once more were walking on well grazed and relatively level grassland. As we left the "roughness" we came across an instruction which would have been helpful some time previously.

Final Coffee break

It now only remained to follow the river upstream back to Dunsop Bridge before finishing what had been a delightful walk.

A couple of comments :-

As we walked we were treated to sightings of numerous wild birds including the ubiquitous Mallards, Curlews, Lapwings, Pheasant, Sand/House Martins, Pied Wagtails, Oyster Catchers and many other large and small birds.

We amused ourselves by giving some large trees a good "painless" thumping. They were Sequoia... Giant Redwoods sometimes known as Cork Bark trees.

THE END