5.5 Miles
Walkers :- Mick C, Harry, Martin,
Vic, John W, Anthony.
After a little confusion about which turn to take after passing Clitheroe we eventually arrived at a small and rather scruffy roadside car park some distance North of Grindleton. Here we briefly chatted to a farmer trying to fix his digger. The tank type tracks had fallen off.
"You're called Neanderthals" he asked
"No. Meanderthals " we answered.
"Looking at you lot
I think Neanderthals is right word" he smiled.
We left to begin our walk. About half a mile back down the road and then we left it to climb up towards the Trig Point visible at the top of the near horizon.
The views around us, already magnificent, got better and better as we steadily rose through the fields.
A notice on the gate post told us of cows with calves. We steered well clear of them but then the cows steered well clear of us. Honour satisfied on both sides.
Quite soon we arrived at the top of Beacon Hill and multiple hollows and dips around the Trig Point provided excellent seating for us to take coffee.
Spot the difference ! (below)
The clue is in the colour.
The view from Beacon Hill was of at least three quarters of the horizon and included the Three Peaks of the Yorkshire Dales (Ingleborough, Penyghent, Whernside) , Pendle and Longridge Fell and dimly, through the blue haze of the day, the West Lancashire fells (Winter Hill etc.) No wonder it had been chosen historically as a "Beacon"
We couldn't linger for ever admiring the view and left in search of the curiously named "Shivering Ginnel" a path at the edge of Grindleton Forest confined between stone walls.
Entering "Shivering Ginnel"
Still shivering !
A view back to the Trig. Point.
Sadly some could no longer enjoy the beauty of this area.
The ginnel continued for some distance before it arrived at a track which crossed it at right angles.
We turned right to follow this new track which almost immediately began a steep climb up through a thickly wooded area, steep enough to make us pause periodically to take a breath. (We are old fellas you must remember).
Within the shelter of the trees we were irritated by pesky flies. Here you see us applying insect repellent to our "attractive" bits. Attractive to insects I hasten to add !
The path continued its steep climb before reaching a stile beyond which we entered a clearing at the top end of the forest. The path still led upwards before levelling out and presenting yet another superb panorama of Lancashire at it's best. LUNCHTIME!
Not the best photo and Vic seems to have buried himself in the bracken (far right)
Harry using his binoculars to better admire the view before us.
Anthony points to the way forward once lunch is over.
Danny reminds us that lunch IS over and it's time to move on.
From here the path continued briefly towards a small cairn before dropping steeply down through thickly growing bracken back towards the edge of the forest,.
The path from here was very clear and we quickly dropped down through the thick bracken to rejoin the edge of the forest.
From here the path became something of a "kneewrecker" (for at least one of the party) as it sloped roughly down for the next mile or so.
Your writer is not sure whether rabbits re-use certain "toilet" areas but if not this particular rabbit had serious intestinal problems !
As we dropped down the path widened and became better surfaced and easier to walk upon - still going downwards though...….
……. but here it offered an always welcome resting and drinks spot.
What a delight to be a man of leisure.
As we plodded on we came across evidence of a past with somewhat more economically productive usage of this forest area.
Rather magnificent gateposts leading now, it seemed, to nowhere in particular. But there was a warning upon them.
Just a little further down the track we encountered "Levis Well". now derelict but once well constructed. Perhaps offering a water supply to previous inhabitants and workers.
Daniel. You must learn to tie your shoes properly
the first time !
The broad track would now lead us back to the road but a short cut saw us plunging once more into woodland.
It was only a matter of minutes before the woodland ended and we broke out into farmland.
The farmyard we passed through was like many before, littered with abandoned and rusting vehicles and equipment.
Only a short distance to walk now and as ever on the walk the horizon and the view was dominated by Pendle Hill.
One final farmyard to pass through and then we were back on the road to where the cars were parked.
There's Danny about to pass out . . . oops. Sorry. Pass through !
Mick finds a mushroom. "Not big enough to share Mick, You keep it"
And we encountered a giant snake..... No we didn't !!
Just a random photo !
Back onto the road and a final short slog upwards before we arrived at the cars and Martin's forever welcome shandies.
To the very end this delightful walk offered us views of the sometimes little appreciated beauty of Lancashire. As we topped the final brow of the road, however, we were reminded that our neighbour, Yorkshire ,has much to offer as well.
There in the distance is Ingleborough in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
A lovely walk full of views of those "Blue Remembered Hills" (A E Housman) And finally - Anyone know what this is ? Found on the walk - It clicks !
THE END
(JW's son-in-law informed him that the mystery object was a dog training device.)
(JW's son-in-law informed him that the mystery object was a dog training device.)
p.s. OFF WITH HIS HEAD !
No comments:
Post a Comment