Meandanthony's Walk. Pendle 6.5 miles

This weeks walk started from the picnic site at Spring Wood nr Whalley. The last time we parked here, because of corona virus, the parking pay machines were not in use,but they had provided an honesty box. This time there was a phone number to ring, to pay by card. If only it was that easy. Both Anthony and I struggled to make our £1 parking fee payments. As a result, we were 45 minutes late setting off.

Leaving the car park, we crossed a stile and climbed uphill, hugging the edge of the adjacent golf course.

We were thankful that the heavy rain of the previous day had ceased, but it had left the land very boggy, and there was a cold wild wind blowing in our faces.

Still climbing, but nearing the top of the rise.

Having now reached the lee side of the hill, the wind has eased off.

Anthony is suitably dressed for the conditions.

In Sabden we came across one of the few surviving old red telephone boxes still in use.

But not for long!

One of Sabden's characters, who, once we had stopped for a chat with him, proceeded to tell us a lot of local history and places of interest. a jovial chap he was, but his rambling talk was not always easy to follow.

The Pendle Witch pub, he told us, was under threat of closure.

One of a pair of ornamental robins adorning either side of the doorway to one of the houses.

The mill at one time housed an antique business and a cafe. Now sadly, only the cafe remains. Pendle Hill is in the background.

Thankfully, when in Sabden, we were able to find a bench seat in a sheltered spot, beside Sabden Brook to have our dinner, but as we headed back west, the wind, which had lost none of it's power in the intervening period, was hitting us in the face again.

Finding another sheltered spot, we stopped for our afternoon brew. Wondering where John and Martin were walking today, I gave John a ring. They had only just set off from the Japanese Gardens on Avenham Park after having a late dinner. Like us they had also been getting a battering from the wind.

We came across a few stables in the area. All the horses at this one were in their winter coats.

Danny is glad that he decided to put his gaiters on today, given all the swampy ground they encountered.

'Meanwhile back at the ranch'. This is the house to another stables. It must be a lucrative business to be in.

A challenging but healthy walk, one we will have to repeat in better weather.

DK