Meandanthonys walk Brock Bottoms 7 Miles

                  Danny's new boots. No more wet feet.

Leaving the car park at Brock Bottoms we turned right to cross the bridge over the river brock, passing the substantial entrance pillars of Brock Cottage Farm.

Climbing out of the valley up White Lee Lane, under the now sparse canopy of foliage, after the strong winds of the past week.

On reaching the T junction at the top of the lane we turned right, then after a short distance crossed a stile on our left. Keeping to the well defined path we headed uphill to Beacon Fell Country Park.

On reaching a tarmacked road we turned right. After about 100 yds we reached the visitor centre. Everything was closed but there were quite a few families and dog walkers around, all enjoying the fine weather. We made use of a vacant picnic table for our morning brew.

After brew we set off uphill through the wood following the sculpture trail.

After reaching the trig point, we set off down on the opposite side of the fell heading towards Sugars farm. On reaching the tarmacked road we crossed a stile on the opposite side and followed a well defined path leading to the farm. On reaching the farm we turned left along the farm track to the road, turned right then left at the first junction.

Which brought us to, what used to be Bleasdale Post Office, but has now been converted into a large modern house.

Crossing the bridge we climbed uphill out of the valley following a road with well manicured hedges. The road descended steeply towards Jack Andertons Bridge, but before reaching the bridge we turned left over a stile.

The path led us along the edge of a wood, with the river down in the valley below us.

I climbed down a bank to investigate if there was a safe way across a small ravine. I could hear ladies voices coming from up above me. One of the ladies popped her head over the opposite bank and screamed. I thought you was a gnome she said. Cheeky blighter. They were a bit lost, and asked us directions.

As we approached a stile we spotted a young deer heading towards us. On seeing us it turned back, but then hesitantly came back towards us but then again retreated. We stayed still so as not to pose a threat, but obviously we were not convincing, for the deer leapt over the fence and sped away.

After crossing another stile into the wood, the path descended steeply to the river where we crossed a bridge which led to Wadacre Scout Camp

Alas the sight and sound of excited young people could neither be seen nor heard. Another victim of corona virus.

We continued on passed the archery pens towards the main camp on top of the hill. But first we had to climb a long flight of well constructed steps. Anthony would have run up these in his youth but those days are long gone. At the top of the first flight we came upon two small picnic tables. I asked the question although I needn't have done. So we settled down for a late dinner before tackling the second flight

                                   The deserted camp.

Following the road out of the camp we came to a T junction where we turned left. A little way further on we turned right along a farm track. The track came to an end and the way ahead was across stiles and fields.

We eventually reached the river, we had bypassed the notoriously boggy stretch of river path that Anthony had warned about, and the way ahead was on good paths back to the car park. Thanks for a good walk Anthony.

                                                                               The end

                                                                                     DK