RAWTENSTALL

HUFF 'n PUFF 'n STUFF 5/6 miles

WALKERS :-  Vic, John W, John R, Mick
                        Anthony. Martin, Mike.

Do not be misled by  this week's title, The "Huffing and Puffing"  did not emanate from the walkers but rather from our chosen transport -- as you will see.

We parked near the E.L.R (?) terminal and after a short wait for the second car we set off to follow the River Irwell as it wound it's way from Rawtenstall to Ramsbottom.

Best foot forward !

If you haven't already guessed this footpath provides a "transport" clue.

The path led gently and positively downwards as it followed the river, passing as it did some quite delightfully artistic ironwork.

An iron gate with artwork reminding us of the areas history. (another Clue.)

Throughout the walk the footpath changed from rough woodland tracks to well constructed urban footpath and every variant in between.

A rather "super duper" section of our footpaths.

Just before we left the urban area of Rawtenstall we came across what was perhaps an aptly named hostelry.

Two types of "Old Cobblers" ?

Just after we passed the group of buildings in the last photo the path became decidedly "Rural" but not before we passed a charming little area with somewhat "Neanderthal" style picnic tables. It seemed impossible NOT to stop for a drinks break,.

If you haven't already guessed I must now reveal our form of return transport as our paths crossed at this point in our walk.

"Why have we stopped here ?"

"Something's coming. What is it ?"

"Of course !   "Huffing and Puffing " past is a steam locomotive."

Once the train had past we continued our walk which went through an industrial estate before returning to closely follow the banks of the Irwell.

Ahead of us is the dual carriage way leading back towards the M65

The river to our right sadly showed NO evidence of fish or any other life forms. There was no weed to be seen.

As our path followed the course of the Irwell we passed under several bridges and went backwards and forwards across the rail tracks.

Just after passing one bridge we came across an abandoned football field which seemed to have belonged to a once prosperous amateur club. It looked sadly forlorn. 

The changing rooms were in ruins.

The grass on the pitch was a "Little" long. 

…...and the spectators would be most uncomfortable.

We were soon once again crossing to the other side of the rails. This time through an underpass.

Once through the underpass we continued along the river at one point climbing away from the banks only to drop back again through a wood. As usual John R was in the vanguard.

The rustle of leaves...or.... Russell leaves...us in his wake.

We soon came to an underpass again but this time we had company. The ponies were quite determined that this was their "out of the sun" spot and they  were not to be budged.

Lunchtime..... and we had arrived at the hamlet of Irwell Vale. A stop on the Bury to Rawtenstall line.

Arriving at the little rail stop a picnic table beckons.

We settle down alongside the track.

Yes,  there we are.

……. tuckin' in !

Lunchtime finished we turned away from the rails and make our way through the tiny, pretty hamlet of Irwell Vale.  Crossing over the Irwell on a rather modern bridge and passing a delightful corner house,

…. we walked along a wonderful terraced street. A local resident (even though he hailed from Belfast) informed us that the terraced houses we were admiring ranged in cost from about £180,000 for a single to £400,000 for a larger double fronted one. Definitely not "Affordable Housing" then.

Once through this area of Des. Res's. we took to a decidedly "woody" path where the hot, dry weather has caused an almost autumnal leaf fall.

With a dried up stream to our right...

… and a river tumbling over a weir to our left.

Bridge Photo.. BRIDGE PHOTO !!!  Well there has to be one of course so here it is as we cross over the river once again.

All sorts of bridges and tunnels littered our path and here is one simply carrying a pipe across the river. It was quite a revelation to see drift wood entangled within it.  A frightening glimpse at the power of a flooded river. The bridge must be some twenty feet above the rivers present level.

Our path continued on it's way and at one point we came across some stepping stones in the path and remembered that last time we came this way they were very useful . Not now in this hot dry spell.

But there was to be a wet stretch - only a short one though as water oozed out of the banking.

A warning not to disturb the Alpacas.  Very trendy livestock these.

And there they are.

I think that perhaps this next object in our path was possibly the oddest structure I have seen on our walks.  This is a GIANT picture frame.    REALLY ?    YES !

"Pretty as a picture ?"...…….. think not.

Is that better ?...….  well...erm…… NO !

Further along the path and here is Mick treading carefully around one of the wet stretches we mentioned earlier.

Nearing the end of our walk now and Mike finds something he knows about.

Pretty as a picture ? … Oh yes.. definitely.

Just a couple of fields now before we arrived in Ramsbottom where we were to find the station and take the steam train back to Rawtenstall. Our walk still continued to hold interest, however, as the field was lined with ancient "Vaccary" stones. These large slabs of stone were used for holding cattle long before our ancient hedges were planted.

 We have come across them before near  Wycollar  country park

As we arrived on the outskirts of Ramsbottom we encountered a huge shed like building which on looking into we discovered was a recycling unit... a very large and modern one. I hate to think what the residents of the little side streets thought when that was planned and built right next to them.

Just around the corner from this "Bohemoth" we crossed the river for the last time before  reaching our final "walking" destination. Ramsbottom Station.

The above notice rather contradicted one we had seen further back down the line telling us that from the 1st July the train would be pulled by diesel.  Because of the dry nature of the surrounding vegetation perhaps ?

Once on the platform, hot and thirsty, we enquired of a little lady (sounds patronising but she WAS a "little" lady) if there was a café. "No." she said "But I will make you drinks"  and she did.

Here she is taking our orders.

and here she is bringing them to us.

She asked us for a pound each which went to the city of Wells.  The city of Wells ? .. Odd that.... until we realised that the "City of Wells" was one of the restored locomotives.

This incredibly friendly and "Chatty" lady told us she lived locally but was originally from Malaysia.

The platform had been  restored and furnished "In Period"

.

The train, not being run by Northern Rail, duly arrived on time and we climbed aboard.

……...to be greeted by another splendid character - the guard who could only be described as "Cheerfully Chipper ". 

He asked us were we all concessions (Old F---s !)  "Oh yes" we chorused. He then asked. in an inviting manner, if we were all members of the "Ramblers". Someone said "Yes"  and the rest of us wickedly kept our mouths shut. ….. "Mea Culpa,  Mea Culpa,  Mea Maxima Culpa !"

This comfortable train soon had us whisked back to Rawtenstall passing as it did all the bits of the walk we had just done.

Mick's head is not in a parlous state. The photo was taken trough the glass partition.

We left the train and crossed the, by now, busy roads to our nearby parked cars were we once again enjoyed Martin's cool shandies under the shadow (not literally on this sunny day) of a rather magnificent Victorian Classical building

An exceptionally pleasant walk. Well done Anthony/

THE END