DARWEN TOWER

 ROCKET POWERED RAMBLE

POCKET ROCKETS :-  Anthony, Danny, James 

                                       John R, John W, Vic.

That's where we're going.    Up There........... and to be honest the word "Rockets" would not readily spring to the minds of anyone witnessing our ramblings.

To Darwen Tower. Fondly nicknamed "The Rocket".

And here we are starting our climb.

Our route, at first, led gently upwards through fields and woodland.

We were not alone. The paths leading up to the "Jubilee Tower" were, on such a beautiful day, quite busy

Here a large and cheerful group from the "Holiday Fellowship" passed us by.

A warm, sunny corner of the track invited us to stop for coffee. We accepted the invitation.

Sorry about the misty photos . I think the low sun causes flaring on the camera lens.

Immediately afterwards we had to make a choice. A long gradual slope up the hill or a short but decidedly steep path uppards. We chose the steep path. Foolish Old Fellas.

Just look at that BLUE sky.

👺👻Shadowy figures lurk in the long grass.

As the path levelled out there was time for a rest and to greet a friendly dog.

"That boy at the back !" ...says Danny .... "Are you paying attention ?  Sort him out big John. "

"FOOLISH OLD FELLAS ? "... NO !      The steep path we had taken very quickly let us gain height and we soon levelled out.   A GOOD decision.

.....and look there's our target.......getting closer.

We had to be careful though

The reader may have noticed the return to the fold of an "Old" friend. 

James,      now 88,      has joined us once more after a period of being unwell. Welcome back James.

Nearly there !

At the foot of the Tower is another "Tower" an O S triangulation post where our returnee is posing.

And we're there. All we need to do now is light the blue touch paper and stand clear,.................................................but we'll have lunch first !

Inside the tower a spiral staircase leads up to a viewing balcony and then for those not reduced to a quivering Jelly by heights (me), up to the very top.

The views from both levels were superb. a mixture of wild moorland and sprawling urban development. 

Time to set off but once again we've lost Vic. Ah, there he is. Still up there. Looks like he's practicing "Haunting" skills for the afterlife.

Lunch and "view gazing" over, we set off down a steep VERY rough path (hence too much concentration needed for me to take out the camera) towards Sunny Vale Park. We did not go that far but left the rough path as it reached more level areas.

Our path took us between two reservoirs, Earnsdale and Sunnyhurst Hey. Neither of which were particularly visible.

A short distance across the fields and heading back to our starting point at Ryal Fold, we came to a tarmacked road,

Yes dear reader you're quite right.  That is concrete but it changes to tarmack just past the house in the picture

As we lumbered along this road a young lady came speeding past us, A few minutes later she came speeding back in the opposite direction.

No walking poles needed by this confident lady.......... but look what she did have.

YES,,,,, the young lady stopped to chat telling us that her name was Lynn and she was BLIND and that the newly tarmacked road was a great boon to her as she could "Speed " along it confident and safe.

In a way this was quite a "Humbling" encounter.

Soon after that encounter we left the road to follow a narrow woodland path down to the fields.

Out of the woods and back into the fields.

Across a large field with horses. Obviously enjoying the late summer/autumn sunshine.

Our cars are parked just beyond that wooded area on the horizon. not far now.

Through another kissing gate and one more field (large and uphill) before we finish.

A brief knee rest stop. (Danny doesn't really need one) before the final stretch.

Ah !    Finally a glimpse of a reservoir.... Earnsdale.

Down a shady lane and we're "Home".

If we weren't thirsty yet we were by the time we passed this lot.

Teas and coffees all round in the "Ramblers Cafe" grounds,

Sun still shining and all still alive after a wonderfully interesting walk.

And look who's also ready for a brew. The Holiday Fellowship group we met  at the beginning of our walk.

I shall end with a little puzzle..... What's this ?

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It's a bench !

That's all.      Good walk Anthony.  Thanks.

THE END

JW