Despite a poor weather forcast, a hardy group enjoyed mostly a fine day with just a few heavy showers.  This interesting walk included disused and working quarries and views across to the Grane reservoirs. It was interesting to hear that some of the disused quarries had been used as film sets.

A steady ascent to Pinhaw Beacon was achieved by the group, but views were interrupted by low cloud and mist. From here, down into the dale and up the other side!!! After a steady shower, which coincided with the lunch stop, the hardy ramblers completed the walk via Lane House Beck and Lothersdale Beck onwards to the village. The appearance of Lothersdale Mill cheered the weary walkers.

10 walkers left Austwick heading for Moughton Scars via Warfe hoping that the mist on the top would lift. However the murk remained and an alternative route was taken on a grassy path in order to avoid the limestone pavement which could have been hazardous underfoot. The return was on the Pennine Bridleway to Crummack and down the Dale.

Looking at the weather forecast our leader offered the 19 walkers an alternative of bowls, curling or crazy golf at the Flowerbowl or shopping across at Barton Grange Garden Centre. All these were declined so we set off following the River Brock up to our lunch stop at Higher Brock Mill picnic area. We then turned for our return encountering some boggy fields and a few heavy showers but all in all not too bad. Once dried out we got wet inside with a drink at the Roebuck.

25 of us left the Bull at Broughton heading across the fields and then over our first obstacle, the old Colne to Skipton railway line , flanked either side with testing stiles. On then to our coffee stop on the edge of Carlton. Through the village and up on to the hillsides over to Elslack. Despite the cloudy conditions we were still afforded some good views. We had a ten minute drink stop at the church but no one could decide on a suitable burial plot. We then crossed the A59 and then after climbing through a planting came across what I think are Eurasian Wild Boars. Luckily there was an electric fence between us and them .

A nice eight mile walk followed by a drink at the White Bull.

In spite of the intermittent showers a walk around witch country was enjoyed by 17 ramblers

After a short, but delightful, train journey from Settle, the first part of the walk from Horton in Ribblesdale to Helwith Bridge followed the Ribble. From there a steep ascent up Moor Head Lane enabled us to join the Ribble Way and follow this path down to Stainforth. The route back to Settle down the valley was via tha Lime kilns near Langcliffe and back along the river. This linear walk was enjoyed by all.

Fifteen Ramblers left Wigglesworth facing a mixed weather forecast but luckily turned out to be just showers. The leader faced some humorous criticism about the number of dodgy stiles and boggy ground however things came to a head when we came to a deep fast flowing stream with no bridge. As you can see from the photo Catherine and Tony were considering whether it was boots off and paddling but John saved the day by finding a safe crossing point.

All was forgiven after a well deserved drink at the Plough Inn.

A good walk from Appletreewick to Lord's Seat and Simon's Seat. The weather held uop with rain starting when we were 100m from the end.

Ten turned up for this 10 mile walk across Roman Fell and Long Fell. Dull, but no rain at all yet we could see showers to the South. Although overcast, the cloud was high and views from North Stanmore A66 pass, the Northern Yorkshire Dales, Upper Eden Valley with part of the Trough of Bowland fells could be seen. The panoramic view continued westwards over the Howgills, the Eastern Lakeland fells with the central Lake fells behind along with the Northern fells behind Blencathra. Of course the North Pennines along the A66 could be seen along with many features including geological limestone folds, and many spent Army shells on the fell side as we walked past, old tanks, towers etc. The standard pre walk Rambler talk this time included a bit of Health and Safety along with be careful walking in this area, the Ranges despite rights of way are only open certain days a month and exempt from Open Access. 95% of the walk was on the Ranges. The group although tired, gave good feed back and I was still invited to the pub afterwards!

The limestone area at Arnside is always popular with our ramblers, so this walk took full advantage of the many footpaths around and over Arnside Knott. After a sunny lunch stop at the view point, a short detour was made to the trig point, now hidden amongst trees and bushes.

Above Ullswater are some rounded hills: Great Dodd, Watson's Dodd, Stybarrow Dodd, and Hart Side. They are full sized Lake District fells with views to match, but quieter and less rugged than the biggest hills. We gathered at the car park, grateful for both the high starting point and cups of tea from the camper van. After an initial hot climb, we found a most welcome gentle breeze on the tops, exploited with extended lunch and water breaks. There followed a hot and sticky descent, but it passed soon enough. About 9 miles, with 2000 feet of ascent.

As it says in the description, this was a canals, rivers, church walk. We left Garstang along the River Wyre and then up onto the Lancaster Canal, and nearer Catterall we picked up the Calder. A turn north took us to the lovely village of Churchtown where naturally we found St Helens Church. Off then along the Wyre Way back to our starting point. One member said he was giving the leader 11 out of 10 for the walk but had to cut it down as it rained for the last 10 minutes. As you can see from the photo we had a bit of an audience for lunch.

The rain held off as we walked on unmarked paths from Plain Quarry over Dalton and Hutton Roof crags to Farleton fell, returning via Hutton Roof. Lunch was taken on the top of Farleton fell

It was a mainly grey evening for a walk down to Dean Clough Reservoir. The alpacas came to see us, the sheep kept their distance, and the horses grazed with a last sunbeam for company.

Seventeen plus three visitors left the starting point and down through Gisburn Park, the home of the Hindley Family. Off then over the river and past the old Craven and Pendle Hunt kennels, through a couple of farms and then on to our first obstacle. Our leader was helping walkers over a really delapidated, unsafe stile but when Mary was getting over it collapsed and they ended up in a heap on the floor and neither could stop laughing. Cameras were soon out. No injuries apart from a tear in Roger’s shorts for which he will be putting in a claim to the farmer. Ha Ha.

The rest of the walk went without hitch and finished with a drink at The White Bull.

The route from the Memorial Hall used mostly field paths, the group successfully managing several wooden stiles which had seen better days. The final stretch of the walk crossed Dean Brook, which had been the power source for Hurst Green Mill, now redeveloped into a residential property. Blackpool Tower could be seen from the trig point on Doe Hill.

Despite the weather forecast, a small group of determined ramblers braved the wind and rain in order to complete the 'Up and Over' walk to the summit of Pendle from Barley. On this occasion, the views were non-existent, but everyone returned safely.

On a hot sunny day the group went to Winter Hill via Smithills and Rivington Pike returning to Horrocks Fold car park over Smithills Moor on a paved footpath and quiet lanes. 

An excellent 4 mile evening walk from Great Harwood, through Millennium Baby Woods, along the canal, seeing a family of swans, through Woodlands, and back along the railway embankment.

Fourteen ramblers left the The Game Cock for a 9 mile circular walk to Shuttleworth Hall via the canal and Read Hall. Excellent weather and great views.

A successful day out in a less visited area. The heatwave continued but thunderstorms were possible. One rambler came prepared...

From our starting point in Mellor we decended down to Mellor Brook and up Park Lane turning left onto Hoolster Lane. We dropped down through Alum Woods (where I presume they used to mine Alum ) and the picked up the Witton Weavers Way where we stopped at the fabulous viewpoint above Butler’s Delf for a while studying the distances on the Wainright memorial. Off then down past Westholme School and then Stanley House where we thought we weren’t appropriately dressed to gatecrash the Indian celebration. The weather gods were on our side again with only a few spits the whole walk. A well earned drink in the Traders Arms rounded off the day.

Walkers returning to Sabden could see the village in the valley and Pendle beyond.

Four ramblers drove to Coniston to walk round the horseshoe of Dow Crag and the Old Man of Coniston. The overnight rain had cleared, leaving lovely views of Lake District mountain scenery.

A small group of cheerful ramblers set off from Silverdale in persistent rain in search of Hawes Water, a small lake in the Gaitbarrow Nature Reserve, situated between Silverdale and Arnside. The circular route followed field paths, woodland tracks and short stretches of country lanes. Most paths were firm underfoot despite the recent heavy rain, although a short diversion was needed to avoid a flooded field corner.

On leaving Dunsop car park the forecast was for occasional blustery showers. Someone must have said their prayers as it rained for only about 5 minutes all day. We swung round from Dunsop and onto the Trough Road to Harden Farm. A stiff climb then of about 830 feet between Mellor Knoll and Totridge Fell to our well deserved lunch stop at Whitmore Plantation. On then past Tunstall Ing and Laund Farm then down to Burholme Bridge, up the river, over the aqueduct bridge and back to our starting point. Another great day’s walking.

19 Members travelled to Melrose for our annual holiday.

For the first walk we caught the bus to Earlston. The path meanders down the Leader valley to Leaderfoot with a fine viaduct over the River Tweed. After a detour for a picturesque lunch stop in Old Melrose, we marched through the roman fort of Trimontium, and conveniently arrived back at Melrose by the Ship Inn.

The Eildon hills above Melrose make an obvious objective for a walk. The second day was devoted to an east-west traverse of the three round peaks, and then we found a fourth known as Little Hill.

For the final day, we climbed up Rhymer's Glen and returned by the River Tweed though the Abbotsford estate. Morning coffee stop was planned to be long and leasurely beside Cauldshiels Loch, but a passing shower upset the plan. By lunch time the sun was out as we sat admiring the river.

Melrose provided us with three very different walks. A successful trip.

Smearsett Scar is a prominent little hill and line of cliffs in the midst of limestone country. We approached from Austwick through Oxenber wood and climbed gently to the top. The top sits above a modest cliff, with delightful views. We ate a leasurely lunch in the sun. A feint path meanders along the ridge for nearly a mile, with stiles appearing at all the walls. Before long we descended towards Feizor, and followed familiar paths back to Austwick. Total distance nearly 6 miles with 1000 feet of ascent.

10 turned up for the Wild Boar, Swarth Fell walk. Weather was excellent allowing distant views of Pendle Hill, Central Fells of the Lakes to be seen along side local hills around Dentdale, North Pennines and the western side of the Yorkshire Dales. Cairns, Settle Carlisle railway, no steam train sadly, modern art, a bit of local history including Dick Turpin made this a varied walk.

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After a bit of a hesitant start due to the road being completely closed in the centre of Brindle we set off on our 7.5 mile walk. Firstly parallel to the motorway and then across the fields to the Leeds and Liverpool Canal and along the towpath to our coffee stop.

One or two members commented that this was a “meeting the animals walk“ as we came accross swans nesting, geese, ducks, hens, about 40 young cows that followed us closely and then after our lunch stop 4 horses that wanted to make friends.

We next were back on the canal and up over the tops and down to our starting point and drink in the sunshine at the Cavendish Arms.

We walked through the woods at the far side of Edisford Bridge where the bluebells were starting to come out. We hurdled a couple of fallen trees, then walked along the river and up the steps to this seat carved out of a tree stump. Then it was across the fields and up Malkin Lane to Mitton. We came back along the other side of the river, joining it at the Aspinal Arms. As we passed the recycling centre, we were surprised to see a peacock sitting right up in a tree. We did not know they flew that high. The light was fading as we got back to the car park.

Another day of perfect weather for our Tuesday afternoon walk. We left Newton heading up the River Hodder and just before Slaidburn turned left and over the hill until we dropped back down to the river and upstream then to our starting point. Among the highlights of the walk were the many lambs , frolicking and enjoying the sunshine.

This 10 mile ramble provided fabulous views across the Kent Estuary to Grange and Humphrey Head, and Barrow in the distance, and down Morecambe Bay to Heysham and the Irish Sea beyond.

The route from Silverdale village took the group to Jenny Brown's Point, where we enjoyed a coffee stop in glorious sunshine by a disused chimney. Then onwards via Siverdale Green and through Eaves Wood to the folly known as the Pepperpot, which commemorates the golden jubilee of Queen Victoria.

We passed Arnside tower on our way to Middlebarrow Wood, where we noticed the deterioration in the structure and the dangerous state of the walls.

From the end of the wood our field path was alongsid a man-made drainage ditch and the railway line, then upwards onto the southern side of Arnside Knott and back to Silverdale via Holgates caravan park.

A circular walk from Long Preston was enjoyed on a glorious day. There was some great scenery and distant views. We even managed to see a deer at reasonably close quarters whilst walking along a re-surfaced Langber Lane. The peace and quiet in the area is a treasure, and was appreciated by all. How fortunate we were to be in such lovely surroundings on a near-perfect day.

From Townley Park, on a glorious February day, the group achieved their objective without too much trouble and continued with good views of Burnley and surrounding area. The conditions were ideal for the panopticon to delight us with its tunes.

14 members left Clitheroe Railway Station on coolish but dry morning. The previous day had been very stormy and Sunday the same so we couldn’t grumble.

The route was via Bashall Hall, Saddle Bridge (photo) Rabbit Lane , Waddington and back to Clitheroe, 9 miles. All that was needed then was well earned drink at the Wagon and Horses.