MISTER MOUNSEY'S
MARVELLOUS MEANDER 7.5 Miles
(THREE RIVERS WALK)
WALKERS :- Harry, Mick C, John W, Anthony,
Paddy, Vic, Jim C, John R, Mike.
Well, Well, Well.....Look who's leading.! HARRY !
Harry agreed to take us on one of his favourite walks. This one is around Stonyhurst…. the other isn't.
With Paddy a lap behind we parked up at Hurst Green's Civic Centre. put our donations in the box and set off to greet the rivers RIBBLE, CALDER and HODDER
"Follow me " says Harry, "It's this way".
After a brief stop to admire the immaculately attended war memorial,
…...we slipped down past the "Shireburn Arms " and began our descent towards our first river...the Ribble.
The field sloped steeply down to an attractive little bridge and stile.
Here Vic did a little gardening. He moved the snake like log in the picture. It protruded across the path and he feared that midnight ramblers might trip over it ….. Eh ?
Once across this the path continued to tumble roughly down through a wood to another bridge which disgorged us into a sunny riverside field.
Across a field we could see in front of us the arches of a bridge carrying water pipes over the river.
It was a pleasant spot and although a tad early our leader suggested we stopped for coffee time. Why not ?
"No Anthony...You may not leave the room....or field."
Flasks away we now followed the river bank we headed for our next "target" - Hacking Ferry , passing as we did the almost imperceptible "Jumbles" an area of rapids in the presently slow flowing river,
In the distance across the river was the impressive bulk of the bewitching PENDLE HILL.
We soon reached the neat road which led onwards to Hacking Ferry House. As we joined this road a large mysterious pile intrigued us.
A poke with a stick revealed a BLUE content under it's greyish white surface. Mick C stopped a passing farmer (as you would ) to enquire and discovered that it was waste paper to spread on the fields.
In the distance we could now see Hacking Hall on the opposite bank. This marked the point where the river CALDER joined the RIBBLE. (confluence 1)
The line of rocks (centre right) shows where, with Hacking Hall as a backdrop, the Calder joins the Ribble.
As we continued along the river bank, passing several fishermen's shelters, our leader began to look for the next "confluence" where he had planned to stop us for lunch...…. and here it was.
The strain of being a leader seems to be showing on Harry's face
In spite of notices telling us not to, we filed through the gate to disport ourselves on the sunny river side.
In such an idyllic spot we lingered longer than usual over our lunch. Not only was it a lovely spot but entertainment was provided as well.
A large salmon leapt out of the water in front of us.
A heron could be watched fishing a little way upstream.
A profusion of wild geraniums coloured the banks.
A plentiful collection of perfectly sized and rounded flat stones allowed the childish pleasure of "Stone Skimming".
and.. of course
Lunch munching !
Heron watching
Wildflower admiring
Salmon spotting where the Hodder joins the Ribble (confluence 2)
Eventually and with reluctance we donned our rucksacks and set off again in search of our leaders next "Mystery object". This turned out to be a lengthy stretch of old rusty chain which had intrigued Harry for some years. Why was it there? it seemed to have no purpose.
And then we discovered the "Missing Link" (Oh dear... but it's a good phrase) The Lady from the next farm came by with her dog and explained that the chain was in a way being displayed as a historic artifact. It was the chain from the old Hacking Ferry. Mystery explained - Harry delighted !
Mrs Holden from Winkley Farm. Revealer of mysteries !
We soon passed through Mrs Holden's farmyard and began the climb upwards away from the river passing Winkley Hall a large mansion which was altogether hidden behind tall hedges and fences. as we walked a large sequoia tree to one side had grown n an unusual fashion.
Before we reached the highway the path led off through the fields allowing us views of the distant cupolas of Stonyhurst College.
We did eventually take to the road but only for a short distance before it crossed the Hodder on a modern bridge from which we could take in the view of the ancient "Cromwell's Bridge" about which legends abound.
Here a bold Mike, completely ignoring a certain person's strict diktat, walked out upon it.
OOOOH MICHAEL !
On the opposite side of the road the track now continued towards St Mary's Hall once the College's Prep school now mainly desirable apartments. As we walked towards it we met a Malaysian family who were following the "Tolkien Way". Such is the world wide power of our English literary heritage. (We had already met a Dutch couple)
A charming lady and her three daughters.
Up past St Mary's Hall and then dropping back down towards the river
Here we stopped briefly at the memorial to a Jesuit priest who had downed whilst swimming in the river.
We now turned away from the river to follow the path up the deeply cut valley of a tributary stream. Recent felling had left an arboreal barrier across the path.
Having clambered through it we found ourselves at a bridge beyond which was a most impressive flight of steps. One hundred and twenty nine of them.
At the top of the steps the path quickly took us back into open fields.
Then back onto a road across which was a track leading us to Stonyhurst College.
The chapel at Stonyhurst is said to be modelled on KIng's College Chapel Cambridge.
On past walks we have tramped back along the magnificent drive in front of the multi-towered College. This time we settled for the less dramatic but shorter route through the fields to Hurst Green.
In the absence of Martin, Anthony had once again thoughtfully provided the traditional post walk shandies. Thanks Anthony.
And thanks to Harry for a great and fascinating walk.
THE END
p.s. On the map the farm and the Hall are spelled "WINCKLEY", however on the wall of the farm and at the Hall the word was spelled "WINKLEY".
