Hurst Green

 Todays walk, falls on the first day of the extra long weekend to celebrate the Queen's  Platinum Jubilee. Anthony had brought along some union flags for us to mark the occasion. Well done Anthony.

 

              Our walk started from the Memorial Hall car park in Hurst Green.

Within minutes of setting off we are in open countryside, on our way down to the River Ribble. We are always wary when crossing fields containing cows with their calves.

   Fortunately we all escaped with our lives and our dignity intact this time.

As we neared the river, a small bridge crossing a tributary to the river provided us with an excuse for a mandatory bridge photo.

On reaching the riverside path, we were pleasantly surprised to find our very first, carpeted footpath. Whoever came up with the idea for disposing of redundant artificial grassed football pitches by using them to cover footpaths deserves to be rewarded in the Queen's birthday honours. Well I think so anyway, and that's all that matters.

Approaching the Dinkley aqueduct, noises were heard from behind that we needed to be looking for somewhere to stop for a brew.

The two large pipes crossing the river are carrying drinking water to the nearby town of Blackburn.

Having settled down for our brew, and seeing two young ladies coming along the path, we co-opted them to take a group photo of us, which they willingly obliged. But where is Jim?

There he is children, hiding behind Mike.😀

     

We had arranged to meet our friend Martin for dinner. He had parked his car at a nearby farm and is coming to meet us.

There was a bench by the footpath where Vic and I decided to have our dinner. 

While others opted to dine nearer the river.

     

John R, our octogenarian adolescent decided to brush up on his skills of skimming flat stones across the river.

After dinner we walked back with Martin to his car and arranged to meet him again later.

Leaving Winkley Hall farm, we climb up out of the valley, passing the entrance to Winkley Hall. The Winkley Family were staunch Jacobites, who owned extensive lands in the county. They owned the land on which Winkley Square in Preston was built. 

Shortly after passing Winkley Hall, we turn off to the right, to follow a path to the Clitheroe to Longridge road. Stonyhurst College can be seen in the background.

Turning right we drop downhill to the River Hodder bridge. The historical remains of Cromwell's bridge, cross the river a little way downstream from the main road.

We follow the river upstream towards Stonyhurst college, stopping on route to empty our flasks.

After climbing up out of the valley we pass through a farmyard then passed the colleges observatory.

There was a time when walkers were allowed to walk through the college grounds, but unfortunately that is no longer the case. We are now diverted along a footpath alongside the grounds. Here we are arriving back at the village.

Back at the cars we met up with Martin again. John had a treat for us. His wife Val, had made a tasty carrot cake for us, to celebrate John's umpteenth birthday. Thanks Val, the cake was lovely.

DK