Appley Bridge 6 miles Walkers Anthony, Vic, Jim and Danny

We parked our cars alongside the canal towpath of the Leeds - Liverpool in Appley Bridge.

Just beyond the row of cottages, is a car park and entrance to a small community nature reserve, that is sandwiched between the canal and the River Douglas. We wandered through the reserve before exiting back onto the canal towpath again.

This gentleman preparing to moor his boat, lives on the canal, and has done for the past 11 years. He told us that he was completely self sufficient. He has enough solar panels to provide him with twice his usage of electricity. He has a central heating system to keep him warm during the winter months. He hasn't got a fixed mooring to pay for but just pulls in alongside the towpath.

Here they are, the skipper and first mate (grandson). Grandad is teaching first mate the ropes, so that he will be familiar with the boat for when he inherits it from him. While we were talking a large group of cyclists came along, forcing us to stand back

       A young man who was walking the towpath with his mother took this photo for us.

                                                    We left the canal at bridge No 40.

    The quarry unfortunately was fenced off. From here it was a long climb uphill to Parbold     summit.

On reaching the road after taking a rest on the benches there, we crossed the road, turned left and after a short way crossed a stile into a field. The stile was the first of many, between which, the path was fenced in on either side, making the avoidance of the many nettles most difficult, especially for your writer who was wearing short pants.

                               One of two wild flower meadows along the way.

                                                                   A little used path.

     The must have bridge shot. We arrived back at the Parbold Road, crossed over and entered Fairy Glen with rumbling tummies. We had our dinner sat on logs in a clearing. I apologies but I have lost the rest of my photos. The loss isn't so great as the main waterfall which is normally gushing, today was little more than a trickle. After exiting the Glen it was an easy walk downhill back to the canal.

                                                                      DK

 

 

Rawtenstall to Ramsbottom

Arriving in Rawtenstall in the Rossendale Valley, we parked in front of this magnificent building. Architecturally it is very similar to our own Harris Library and Museum in Preston

It was good to see a so many volunteers, both men and women working on the flower beds.This lady was one of them. She told us of many other interesting buildings in the town, but unfortunately it would have entailed going out of our way, to go and look at them, so we crossed the busy road junction to the railway station.

       The path to Ramsbottom began alongside the East Lancashire Heritage Railway line.                                           Eee It Aint Half Hot Mum." Can you here me mother"

                         A sanitised example of Rawtenstall's industrial heritage.

                                       Brew time on the bank of the River Irwell                                 

This bridge crossing the river looks like it could have failed a safety inspection at some time in the past, and has had to be strengthened, but in a most unusual way.

The mornings walk has been quite hot today, which makes us happy to have reached our dinnertime venue. in the shelter of the railway station waiting room.

We had only been sat down for about five minutes when two orange boiler suited railway workers came and joined us. They were soon followed by three more similarly clad gentlemen, which made us feel like intruders into there private space. But they assured us we were welcome to stay. One of them as it happened was retiring at the end of today's shift. There was much joking about him not knowing what to do with himself when he gets up in the morning.

I'd just like to announce the arrival of the 12. 30 diesel from Bury. Next stop, Rawtenstall.

Leaving the station, we entered the lovely village of Irwell Vale. The plaque on the wall, and also another one on the nearby Methodist Church are both dated 1855.

The rows of terraced houses would suggest that they were mill workers cottages, but there was no sign of a mill nearby. Perhaps we didn't look hard enough, The cobbled sets along the edge of the road would have stretched all the way across in the past, and would have rung to the sound of the metal caulkers on clogged feet.

                                                                       Blood brothers.

     Anthony warily keeps his eye on the horses which seem to be approaching ever nearer.

As this horse came a bit too near Anthony for his liking, he got up from his stool. He didn't fancy the idea of a horse breathing down his neck.                                                                     As it happened, it was a wise decision, as the horse next turned its attention on me. and as it came towards me, I put my hand out for it to have a sniff, but at that moment the horse sneezed and covered my hand and arm with a wet spray. It could have been worse.                                                           I think it must have had hay fever😄

                            The next village we passed through had a violent past.

We reached Ramsbottom in plenty of time to have some refreshments and have a look around the station.

This steam train was on it's way to Bury. We would catch it on it's return Journey back to Rawtenstall. Unfortunately the train on it's return was being hauled by a diesel engine.

Back in Rawtenstall. It's been a hot day, but much of the time we were sheltered by the trees                     along the river bank. A walk we must do again sometime.                                                  Thanks Anthony

                                      

 

RAWTENSTALL

RAMSBOTTOM RAMBLE  6+ Miles

Quintessential  Quartet :-  Anthony, Vic, John W, Danny.

After parking outside St Mary's Hall in Rawtenstall we set off to follow the River Irwell down to Ramsbottom.

The footpath to Ramsbottom started next to the station of the "East Lancashire railway" . Vic is all set for a tiger hunt in "East Bengal" 😀

Our walk started from the Rawtenstall end of the East Lancashire Railway where the footpath initially followed the side of the tracks.

and carried "Doggy" instructions.

and some rather fancy gates into the railway property.

Although the walk was mainly through fields and woodlands there were constant reminders of the areas industrial past.

Your writer hopes that many of these incredible chimneys can be preserved as reminders of past and sometimes possibly hard times in the industrial North or even as architectural wonders in their own right.

Just beyond the mill was a picnic area . A little too early for coffee break and the rough hewn stone benches and "Seats" were more Neanderthal than Meanderthal. 

Beyond the outskirts of Rawtenstall the path now followed the banks of the Irwell as it meandered towards The Mersey and the Manchester Ship Canal.

Vic insisted on following the riverside footpath CLOSED as being unsafe.  He was told that non of us would rush to his rescue if he fell into the river.

Here he is rejoining the SAFE  path after NOT falling into the river.  DARN !

Coffee time.  John who had not brought a seat sat on the rocks and was soon covered in tiny ants. Quite harmless but exceptionally irritating. A real "Ants in yer pants" moment.

 Think the railway is not too far away !

The presence of bright blue litter rather spoils this shot of a family of ducks

A little further along a dog walker was allowing her "Pack" to cool off in the river, By now it was VERY  hot.

A HILL !!   No-one mentioned hills as we set off  😲😲😲

Back on level ground where Danny has found something to photograph.

Is that a giant Dragonfly ?  It's like a scene from "Jurassic Park"

"East Lancashire Railway"  ?  This stone seems to disagree.  

The line used to be the "Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway "

A short conversation with a horse.  Why not ?

With little grass left in the field the horse welcomed Danny's offerings.

 

Somewhat further than half way through our walk we arrived at this small "Station". Ideal for lunch.

We were not alone in considering this to be an ideal lunch spot. A rather overheated (orange overalls) railway workers  also sheltered from the sun in the "Hut" as they termed it

In the fields on the other side of the rail line the sheep were also very sensible.

These are not woolly minded but very with it sheep...... and Cool !

What are these three reprobates staring at ?  Not me... that's for sure.

But this... A book swap cupboard disguised as a phone box.

This little hamlet (Irwell Vale) was home to some keen gardeners, Some obviously fans of container planting.

The next section of the walk was to follow a rather narrow and overgrown footpath which was occasionally only inches (centimetres) away from steep drops into the river, We proceeded with caution.

As I have already mentioned reminders of an industrial past kept popping up.

This was on the bank close to a weir...... machinery from a mill perhaps ?

We next arrived at a bridge which would take us across the river and back alongside the rail track.

Quick fellas get across that Bridge

WHY ?

Because....

Once over the bridge we turned right and after passing under the railway we found ourselves in open countryside again.

then someone said " What have you done to your arm Anthony?"

"No idea" said Anthony

And then " What have you done to YOUR arm John ?"

"No idea"  said John.

Several of our walkers take blood thinning medication and even the slightest scratch can produce a copious amount of blood.  Probably caught their arms on an innocuous bit of  a bramble as we pushed along the narrow footpath.

At about this point in our walk Vic's shorts decided to make a break for it and part company with him. Much tugging and adjustment took place. You will be relieved dear reader that NO photographs were taken of this unseemly pantomime.

Not far to go now so.....A final, heat induced ,rest to finish drinks

Suddenly Danny sits up

"Somethings coming 

don't know what

What it is

But it is 

Gonna be........

.........Horses

and rather over friendly horses at that.

(song lyrics from  "West Side Story")

Ooh ! and look more teasels. It must be teasel time.

Out of the horsey field and into the attractive hamlet of "Chatterton" where they farm miniature dinosaurs.

I asked a young boy coming out of the house were they his. "No They're mi dad's"   Typical !

Once past Chatterton we encountered more historical industrial artefacts.

and some agricultural artefacts. These stone walls are very similar to those forming the "vaccaries" in Bronte country.

Approaching Ramsbottom station now but what is that notice on the wall ?

RAMSBOTTOM...... BLACKPUDDING LOBBING ????

Could we be anywhere other than the North of England ? Indeed Lancashire. Bury, of black pudding fame, is at the end of the line.

Ramsbottom Station. The end of our walk but not quite the end of our day.

Here we once again met the delightful station master (Mistress ?) Who on our last visit four years ago told us there was no cafe but insisted on making us all a cup of tea or coffee.

This time she sold us drinks or ice cream from a small kiosk.

I had to turn the camera's exposure down to cope with those legs.

As a person who considers D.I.Y to be breathing and eating. I am always in awe of the people who design and build these wonderful machines.

( British rail of course no longer exists. This is the East Lancashire railway)

A failed cast for "Last of the Summer Wine"

Tickets bought and we're off on the last leg (rail ?) of our day out.

Sadly by regular service diesel not romantic steam.

And here we are back at Rawtenstall station just a short hop to the car.

A Grand walk on a very hot day, Well done Anthony

THE END

JW