WONDERLAND to BLUNDERLAND 6 Miles
Wonderers :- Anthony, Mike, John W. Vic, James
Danny, John W.
The plan was for a short walk preceded by a visit to an Ancient Monument. It did not quite work out that way.
The Omens were not good from the start.
One of our members turned up in a bizarre (Bazaar) outfit totally unsuited for a country walk (Unless that country was in North Africa).
When we entered the Ancient Monument (Whalley Abbey) there appeared to be no-one in charge, We were unable to pay the very small entrance fee. We continued to explore the ruins anyway, willing to pay later.
After about 40 minutes we left the Abbey grounds to begin our walk.
We stopped again barely a hundred metres along the road to briefly look around "English Martyrs" Catholic church.
Clearly a much younger building.
Here, unusually , there was an outdoor "Stations of the Cross".
Once again we set off to begin our walk.
We passed under the Eastern Gatehouse to the Abbey grounds and there before us was the magnificent viaduct carrying the railway.
Is that Vic or the ghost of a monk come to warn us of a disastrous day ahead.
Now the railway arches which spanned the valley and loomed over our route
To the left
Once beyond the gatehouse and the railway arches our walk could properly begin.
After our interesting delays it was very soon coffee time.
Past the sewage works.
And there on the horizon yet again................ yes, there it is....... Pendle
Past a small but friendly sheep
Nature is constantly surprising us . Here the beauty of a dying leaf.
We were now walking along a straight track with a large housing estate to our right. John's plan was to walk through this estate and continue through the fields towards Whalley.
At this point John's plans began to disintegrate. There was no way by which we could enter the housing estate. We had to continue long the track leaving the planned route behind.
By now it was lunchtime and a small gate led into a small, rather damp and gloomy wood.
These last three photos are somewhat reminiscent of a scene from "The Hobbit" or "Lord of the Rings".
As we prepared to leave....... another Omen ! Above Danny's head, where he sat eating his lunch, we had not noticed but there was a message.
This walk was becoming somewhat weird.
We were now well away from the planned route and following a minor road.
We needed to turn left off this road to regain the planned route.
The next left road, with a footpath sign, was one we had walked before so we turned thoughtlessly (the leader) to follow it...... WRONG !. The next left turn we needed was two or three hundred metres further on.
Perhaps there was another signal that all was not well as the sign at the road end contained spelling mistakes.
AGRICUTERAL ..... I don't think so.
As we passed the complex of buildings a footpath sign directed us into the fields.
Again there were warnings about our direction we should have heeded.
The very terrain was trying to turn us back. Deep mud made the gateway all but impassible.
The only option was to climb over or crawl under fences with barbed wire.
ALARM BELLS WERE RINGING !
John's leadership credentials were to be severely tested - HE FAILED !
His suggested option was to turn back. The group, however, were listening to a local who advised us to continue in the direction we were going and then walk along the RAILWAY.....
ALARM BELLS getting louder. The Collegial decision was to carry on ahead. Our leader was NOT happy.
WHY ?
a. It would be illegal.
b. It would be dangerous
c. The railway line was enclosed by high fences. There was no guarantee we could leave it at a desired point.
d. Seven supposedly intelligent and sensible gentlemen walking along the railway line would hardly be a fine example for any young people who might see them.
e. A short 'phone call from anyone could see us being greeted by the police with a £1000 fine.
Once across the railway the confusion of the walk continued. The footpath should have gone straight ahead but the building of a large housing estate forced us to go a long way round and head AWAY from our final destination.
About 40 minutes later after we had negotiated the housing estate and plodded down a busy "B" road we once again rejoined the fields. AND THE MUD !
These animals belonged to Shaw House Farm. Once passed this farm we would be rejoining the planned walk. This farm, however, had numerous stiles for us to negotiate first. ....and more mud to tackle.
Once we had passed this farm our leader breathed an inward sigh of relief. We were back on the original walking plan.
His relief proved premature.
We now had to simply cross the A59 and follow the footpath through "Queen Elizabeth's Playing Fields" and we would be home and dry.
Oh Yeah !
The A59 was dangerously busy to cross and the footpath on the other side was COMPLETELY BLOCKED. We were forced to walk along the edge of the VERY busy and frightening road with huge lorries thundering by seemingly almost on our shoulders.
The following photos did nothing to lighten our spirits.
The road was truly dangerous.
Eventually we were able to drop down from the road and clamber over a fence onto the road into Whalley.
A Final visit to the 13th century church.
The inside of the church was also stuffed with history. Hopefully Danny will be able to enlighten to what it is,
So back to the cars and home after a tortuous, tangled and at times (for the leader) a tortured day.
THE END
JW
Lessons Learned
1, Leaders should always be decisive
2. Don't rely on technology alone to get you through a walk.
3. Don't assume that because a footpath is marked on the map it will always be there,
4. Don't assume that a footpath even though marked on the map and present will actually be usable.
Hands up anyone who wants to lead a walk !
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