The Meanderthals: BRINDLE

FOLDS & FIELDS - 6.5 Miles

Folders :- Danny, Anthony, Martin, Vic

Jim C, John W, Paddy.

Brindle Village Hall offered excellent parking and we were soon on our way up the hill into the centre of the village and past St Jame's Parish church where the Vicar, Rev. David Ward is John W's brother-in-law..

At the top of the road we turned right and dropped down past the old coach house ...

.... before turning right to enter the fields.

The field were full of cows ALL sitting or lying down obviously content with their lot and almost oblivious to our passage through them.

A farmer friend said this is quite normal behaviour and they might not stir themselves until the day cools.

We briefly followed a minor road before taking to the next field. One garden along the road was home to a pet pony.

The second field had been recently mown thus making walking across it hard work as we had to lift our feet to go over each row of mown grass.

Danny, today's leader, said we were looking for a bridge over the canal (Leeds/Liverpool) and as only one bridge could be seen we headed for it. It was the wrong one and we had to make our way back along the edge of the field to find the right one.

For the third week in a row Buzzards have soared, wheeled and circled over our heads. There is a certain vulture like feeling to this behaviour. Perhaps a bunch of old geezers tottering across the countryside has given them hopes of an imminent feast

Ah Ha ! Here we are at the right bridge !

Once over the canal bridge there was a short but stiff climb up to the hamlet of OLLERTON FOLD .

Before arriving in the "Fold" we had to negotiate an awkwardly narrow stone stile with a spring loaded gate. One member actually found it easier to reverse over it.

Martin was waiting for us when we arrived and as the morning was about to expire we decided to combine elevenses with an early lunch.

By now the day was becoming decidedly hot and sticky and whilst some were happy to sit in the sunshine others welcomed a rest in a shady area.

Lunch was a longer affair than usual. Perhaps we were all beginning to feel the effects of the heavy heat.

We now parted company with Martin arranging to meet up with him later in the day and set off over the fields to WITHNELL FOLD.

The next part of our walk was particularly attractive....

..... and on the horizon we could see the tall chimney of the defunct paper mill at WITHNELL FOLD.

Tree of the week was actually dead but still displayed the beauty of form common to all trees.

"What are you doing John ? Even though it's dead it's limbs are far stronger than yours !"

We continue to be plagued by difficult stiles ( Don't understand it we never used to be 😕)

and then .......... this was quite unfair ..... TWO stiles together !

As we approached Withnell Fold the old mill chimney was constantly in view.

In fact Jim C declared it was never out of his mind,

As we entered the Withnell Fold area we passed some very handsome and obviously expensive new homes but what really caught the writers eye were the old mill workers terraced houses , now themselves expensive and desirable.

Many local features had been saved or restored including the stocks.

Vic, a retired accountant is familiar with "Stocks & Shares" and is now also familiar with "Shared Stocks".

But where is the Mill ? Danny , our leader, shows us the way.

Down some steps

into a peaceful, grassy bowl of a memorial Garden

Then at last we reach the mill.

The old mill itself was earmarked for demolition and redevelopment but a local petition saved the historic building.

Away from the mill and down a steep cobbled road to the canal

Just a short distance along the canal

Before leaving at "Suicide Bridge "

"Don't do it ! " we shouted but I think the " hand of fate " was involved here. (Look along the wall )

now we left the canal and dropped down into a lovely picturesque valley.

"Wait a minute" said your worried writer, "If we're going down we will have to CLIMB up ! "

" Yep, " said Danny our laconic leader.

....... and then a Balaclava moment..... we were in "The Valley of Death ".

and our next "half a league" was up a steep hillside where we met the Light Brigade's horses.

Blocking the gate they were. Our "Horse Whisperer" leader soon sorted them out.

" SHIFT ! " he said

Never mind seeing Buzzards every week I'm beginning to think that wooden owls are actually BREEDING ! Here's yet another one. This one was in the stable yard and the local sparrows seemed to have left their comments on this Apex Predator

We were now walking along a hot tarmacked road and tired legs led us to decide to go straight back to the cars.

But wait a minute we arranged to meet Martin at the quarry..........

Into the cars and off we went.

Final coffee with Martin in the quarry.....and then what a finale to our walk. Two young ladies and their trainer were showing their skills on the quarries vertical faces.