SLAIDBURN

 NO PAIN....NO GAIN !   5 Miles

WALKERS :-  Anthony, John W,  Vic,  Danny, 

                       Jim C,  James,  Mike ,  Martin. 

"Every which way."could be the only way to describe the  various routes taken to arrive at the car park in Slaidburn.  Some of our members found Slaidburn to be as elusive as the legendary "El Dorado" At least one member phoned to say he was enjoying his country drive but had no idea where he was.

At last we were all gathered together and ready to set off.  

But what's this  ?  SHERPA DANNY  with his new super adventurers rucksack.

Our target for today was Pain Hill, hence the opening title. The short walk through Slaidburn is always interesting with so much history on display.

Sorry but I can't resist this weakest of weedy jokes. "Here we have a pair of pyjamas AKA  JimJam....es " walking past the village well and  almost immediately afterwards, stopping to read the writings on the War Memorial.

A little further on and a sorrowful sight to see the famous "Hark to Bounty "  Inn. in need of drastic repair.

...... and that road cone looks painfully positioned.

A little further on again and John W investigates an old  St John's Ambulance box. Don't think we've seen such a thing before.

The road now began to climb steeply out of the village and within minutes we were out in the countryside.

" A rolling stone gathers no moss" it is said. Well these stones obviously haven't done much rolling.

The road now dropped down somewhat and just beyond a bend we turned off it to follow a track towards Parrock Head. 

Before reaching Parrock Head, however, we left the farm track to climb a stile taking us onto a narrow, overgrown path.

A further stile brought us to open fields which led us gently upwards to Pain Hill Farm.

Pain Hill  turned out to be a complete misnomer.  The farm was atop a gentle rise in the land and was surrounded by lush green fields   with distant views of the surrounding fells. The fields were occupied by very contented looking sheep and their lambs. 

Of course we rarely have a walk without admiring a magnificent or fascinating (grotesque) tree. 

 As well as the sheep and cows we later encountered the increasingly fashionable Alpacas (or were they big enough to be lamas ?) 

Arriving at "Pain Hill Farm"

Mike making the acquaintance of an old cow whilst we ponder our next move

NEXT MOVE................ Brew time.

Sitting in the warm sunshine with beautiful views all around us it was hard to drag ourselves away. As we sat, Jim C watched through his binoculars,  as a Buzzard and a Crow contested control of the blue sky above us.

The view across the fields was of "Beatrix Fell"  which non of us had ever visited. Perhaps a future walk ?

Ah Well.... got to move...We soon had to drag ourselves to our feet. put away our flasks and continue our walk.

Beatrix fell still forming a backdrop.

The path was now leading us towards Newton-in-Bowland. In the distance a steep ended Fell came into view. 

"Longridge Fell"  said John.....WRONG ! 

"Pendle Hill" said Anthony.....WRONG ! 

We were completely disorientated. 'till Danny's "Magic" phone told us it was "Easington Fell" ..... RIGHT !

In spite of being surrounded by open fields the path insisted on taking us through a small patch of woodland.

All around the woodland were wild flowers one of which we couldn't identify (Yet) possibly Fritillaries ?

As we approached  Newton the fields narrowed to a passageway between high hedges but still remained attractive and a phone call from Martin told us he was waiting for us in the village.

and wild flowers grew in abundance.

We entered the village through someone's back garden . A right of way --though it still felt uncomfortable.

So... through the village and down to the bridge over the Hodder.

A delightful spot in the warm sunshine........ LUNCH !

Danny and James preferred the shade.

Lunch over we crossed back over the bridge towards Newton

Said goodbye to Martin who said he might see us later.

and set off to follow the northern bank of the river.

Your writer was amused to see a tiny culvert crossing the path which was deemed to require a stepping stone...... Just the ONE STONE !

 

From here the path followed the river bank only occasionally wandering away from it.

The afternnon sun was hot enough for us to be glad of the shade as we walked through wooded stretches.

Eventually the open spaces grew larger as we passed "Dunnow Hall"

Once past Dunnow Hall a stile and a small bridge took us back to the river side .

"Hi Ho !    Hi Ho  !  It's off to .............. "  Can you believe that one of our number had never heard that song ? (just in case you are pedantically counting number 7 was the photographer. )

And so a happy tramp in the warm sunshine back to the car park. Here Martin (Wonderful Fella)  was waiting for us with.....................

🍦  🍦  🍦  🍦  🍦  🍦  🍦  🍦

Thank you Martin.   Really appreciated.

THE END

JW

p.s.  Now find your ways home lads . 😛

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