DUNSOP BRIDGE 2

 THISWAY-THATWAY-TOTHERWAY  5 miles

Three Wise Men 😆  John W. Anthony, Danny.

Just a little problem to begin with...

Anthony had a plan but NO MAP. 

Danny and John had maps but NO PLAN 😕 

HERE'S THE ROUTE WE FOLLOWED

"We'll get somewhere !"  was the consensus, So off we went.

We parked the car, togged up and set off but not before........

......... Checking out the wildlife........

....... and the famous telephone booth. Claimed to be at the geographical  centre of the UK

............... and of course the River Dunsop.

Barely 50 yards from the car was the treelined drive to Thorneyholme House

Arriving at the house we took the wrong path going in front of building.

Moments later a window opened and a gentleman (?) informed us that we were on the wrong path. He told us where to go  (as he would)

The path was right next to the river just upstream of the Hodder's confluence with the Dunsop.

We were now following the Hodder.

More wildlife

With each passing year stiles grow bigger and more tricky. Wonder why ?

One of this walk's delights was the panoramic view of the Bowland fells.

As we walked the plan was to take a footpath on the right to climb over Hodder bank fell.  No path leading away from here though.

With a strong and chilly wind blowing we were happy to find a sheltering wall around a semi-derelict Barn to stop for our morning brew.

Onward again and soon we could see the multi chimneyed roofs of Knowlemere Manor

This rather magnificent building seemed entirely neighbourless.

Danny takes his own photo of the isolated house.

A few minutes later we arrived at "Giddy Bridge". a rather curious name.

Here at last we found the footpath turning right and leading up to Hodder Bank Fell.

"Up there"  says the signpost.

So "Up there"  we go.

We first were walking in a "green & pleasant" land.

That changed dramatically as we rose onto the moorland.

Once again our super fit Danny manages to look "Cool, calm and collected" Whilst I for one was puffing and panting ( only a bit 😒)

On the horizon before us were the fells we walked in our youth. Tottridge, Fair Oak , Burnslack etc.  We have walked them slightly more recently but have no plans for an immediate return.

Once across the moor our way lay down deeply incised cloughs (deeply cut valleys or ravines often with trees)

Once in the cloughs however the wind increased as it was funnelled between the banks. Here Danny, ever conscientious. retrieves some windblown litter (ours)

It took us a while to come to a spot where we could shelter from the wind to have our "Butties".

The path was narrow, boggy and alongside steep banks so we were obliged to walk slowly and cautiously.

Once back to the "Green" level we found ourselves amongst large flocks of sheep and Lambs.

From here our path was fairly level as we followed the River Hodder upstream towards Dunsop Bridge.

A final stop to finish our flasks before crossing the bridge in front of us in this photo.

A few hundred yards following the river bank before turning left to reach our final destination.

We entered the village next to this cottage (Bridge Cottage) half of which was the Working Men's Club.

As a young man I had played with various music groups (Bands) in Working Men's Clubs but never in one as small as this

So who brought the Frankinsence ?

A final welcome drink in the "Puddle Ducks" cafe and back to the car and Home.

An excellent walk Anthony once we had it sorted.

JW