Monday, 3 February 2014

Garstang (Sunday 2nd February 2014)

Walk: Garstang from Country Walking magazine.

Party: Marcus Nyahoe, Steven Hornby

Superbowl Sunday, with an appetiser of West Brom vs Liverpool, coupled with some really wet weather recently, meant that a close, local walk was required. This 7 mile walk around the countryside near Garstang easily fit the bill, and was pleasant enough, through mainly pastures, which was a change from the contrasting terrain (hills, riverside and woods) of the past couple of walks. The mud was incredible though, and made for some hard work.

There were some interesting features of this walk. Evidence of wildlife was around, and it would be nice to linger here in spring or summer to see it really explode into life. As it was we did encounter a couple of female common pheasants.

Also of interest was Greenhalgh Castle. Only the ruins of one of its towers stands there now, the destruction started by Cromwell after the English civil wars of the 17th Century. The castle was built by Sir Thomas Stanley, 1st Earl of Derby, permission being granted by Henry Tudor after Stanley had turned to his side in the Battle of Bosworth field. This is especially interesting given a recent course I've completed on England in the time of Richard III, and with the increased profile of those times after the finding of Richard's remains under a car park in Leicester last year. To have something so connected and so close to home really helps make history come alive. There is quite a bit of information on the castle at the website here.

The map of the walk




















The walk guide

























Looking towards the clouds we're due to walk into












Steve not too happy about the clouds



















Looking back to the flood barrier on the River Wyre











These little information signs make walks so much more interesting













The Wyre was flowing fast here











The Parish Church of All Saints, Barnacre













A well earned snack break



















Approaching Greenhalgh Castle



















I just thought this sign near Greenhalgh Castle looked great











Near the end of the walk at the Wyre Aqueduct





















Me beside the Lancaster Canal on top of the aqueduct



















View of the aqueduct from below besides the River Wyre

Sunday, 5 January 2014

Crook O' Lune (5th January 2014)

Walk: Luneside Paths, from Jack Keighley's book, "Walks in the Forest of Bowland", published Cicerone.

Party: Marcus Nyahoe, Steven  Hornby, Peter Rees

First walk of 2014 was a 7 mile trot around the River Lune, starting at the Crook O' Lune, much beloved of Turner amongst others. Despite the wet weather we have had thus far, the ground was not too bad. A fair amount of mud but certainly nothing to put a person off. The one major surprise was just how steep the tarmac road up to Aughton village was.

There is some wonderful scenery here, and plenty of flora and fauna to admire. Unfortunately the wildlife and trees will need to wait until Spring, when this walk will again be undertaken to admire the Sessile Oak, Elm, and numerous birds.

Page 1 of the walk

Page 2 of the walk























Steve and Peter at the start












A quick, low level look down the Lune from just below the car park












The sun coming up over the hills












The sign at the crossroads in the village of Aughton











Me at the Aughton crossroads.











Looking down at the river from high up on the return leg.













The rather grand manor at Halton Park Farm.

Tuesday, 17 December 2013

Abbeystead - Christmas Walk 2013 (15th December 2013)

Walk: Tarnbrook and Marshaw, from Jack Keighley's book, "Walks in the Forest of Bowland", published Cicerone.

Party: Marcus Nyahoe, Steven Hornby, Peter Rees

The previous day had seen high winds on the Fylde coast, but on the drive up to Abbeystead it appeared that we had struck lucky. The weather was clear and bright, and seemingly calm. This impression was soon proved to be erroneous as we started to rise to the higher ground. By the time we got to Hind Hill the wind was almost gale force, but descending into the valley brought an eerie amount of calm.

This was a great walk. We've used Abbeystead for the Christmas walk before, albeit not this route, and I can confidently say that I'll be coming this way again before long.

Page 1 of the walk











Page 2 of the walk










The River Wyre is very small at this point













Terrorist gear ahoy!










Peter and Steve being blown about on Hind Hill












Me with the Wyre in the background











Abbeystead House near the end of the walk. This mansion was built as a shooting lodge.

Saturday, 9 March 2013

Silverdale - Saturday 9th March 2013

The second walk of 2013 was a little delayed due to football (Blackpool played at home last week when we should have gone) but it was worth the wait.

The walk, taken from Graham Dugdale's fantastic book, Curious Lancashire Walks", took in the famous Pepperpot and the ruin of Arnside Tower, a fourteenth century Pele Tower which was worth getting up for on its own. It was built for protection from brigands and was on three floors. the first was windowless and held cattle, the second held the main living quarters, with the ladies bower above that. This little journey offered much more than that though as it takes in railside and woods, and skirts Hawes Water. In winter it was lovely, but a revisit on a warm Spring morning is defnitely on the cards, as is another one on a hot summer's day, and one on a cool autumn morning. The changing colours would make this seem like a different walk each time.

Sometimes you come across a walk which rinvigorates your enthusiasm for the hobby. This is such a walk. Fantastic.
Steve takes in the size of the Pepperpot (actually  Steve's small so it isn't as big as it looks here!)

Peter joins Steve in keeping the Pepperpot upright.

Mr Hornby again in relaxed pose
Marcus in front of the Arnside Tower

View of the Arnside Tower from the other side.

Arnside Tower can just be seen in the distance.


Salter's Way, Forest of Bowland - Saturday 16th February 2013

The first of our regular walks for 2013 was, unusually, a straight walk. Salter's Way, along the top of Salter's Fell is a little unending, but for peace and tranquility it is second to none. We met just two walkers and a group of bikers who were riding along the Way. Aside from that we did not see a soul.

Getting to the start of the walk was an experience in itself. Dropping one car in Hornby (the end of the walk) we were given a lift to Slaidburn. Although the straight walk was just 9 miles, the sat nav indicated a 30 mile trip as we had to drive around Bowland and then in from near the Yorkshire Dales.

This was an enjoyable enough introduction to the walking year, but I'm not sure I'd hurry back to do it again.

Peter taking pictures if the view just after we encountered the elderly bikers

Steve at the same point.

Peter and I taking a well earned rest.

The witches near the end of the walk on the road to Hornby.

The circle of witches. Creepy.

The road to Hornby at the end seemed to be never ending.

Monday, 17 December 2012

Abbeystead - Sunday 16th December 2012

For one reason or another 2012 has been a poor year for walking.
Whether it has been the rain or something else I'm not sure but trips out for even short walks have been few and far between. A trip to Abbeystead for our traditional Christmas walk has resolved that, and now I'm all enthusiastic and raring to get going again.
We started off with a nice short four mile walk around the reservoir, but the thick mud and getting slightly lost in Mark Holme Wood made this seem slightly longer. Views of the reservoir are impressive though, and bring home the reason we walk in the country.  

Steve ready to begin
Me ready to go

Peaceful looking reservoir from the north bank
River Wyre from the Long Bridge

Looking towards Abbeystead Fell and Hare Appletree Fell

The River Wyre from Mark Holme Wood

The iron footbridge across the reservoir
First glimpse of the dam

Water flowing over the dam gloriously (below is a video to better capture how awesome this is.


Water flowing over the dam as the Wyre keeps flowing

The contrast between the rapidly flowing water over the dam and the calm of the reservoir

The reservoir so calm, the reflection is perfect.