8th October 2017

Dear All,

We have just had a memorable weeks walking in the Forest of Bowland, Lancashire. This was with our U3A Rambling group, organised by Philip Shaw. We had a party of 30 and stayed at Hurst Green, near Clitheroe. On the way up we broke the journey at Haworth, home of the Brontes and took the “Bronte Walk” and tour of the old Parsonage which is now a museum. Being U3A the walk had to include poetry readings and Kate was selected to perform having the most northern accent!

Bronte Sisters!

There was a choice of two walks most days, a longer and shorter route. We opted for the longer on Monday but it was very hard work: steep climbs, soggy underfoot and strong winds. We managed 13 miles that day but opted for shorter distances thereafter. We started from Newton on Monday and climbed up Dunsop Fell, then back along the valley to Dunsop Bridge, returning to Newton along the river Hodder.

The Cast

Dunsop Valley

On Tuesday we climbed Pendle Hill, about 2000ft with strong winds but spectacular views from the top. Unfortunately one of our party went lame (knee) at the top and had to be helped down including a section of piggy back from me!

Pendle Hill

View from the Top

Wednesday was the wettest day and we did a local “Tolkien Walk”. There is a large Catholic boarding school in Hurst Green called Stonyhurst College and Tolkien wrote most of “Lord of the Rings” there. The walk follows three rivers: the Hodder, Calder and Ribble. We explored Clitheroe Castle and museum in the afternoon, the town has an interesting history and once had 13 cotton mills. We ate out that night and it rained continuously flooding the road in places and we had an interesting drive back in low cloud and water spray.

Cromwell’s Bridge on River Hodder

On Thursday we travelled to Chipping and walked to the Beacon Fell Country Park. After the previous night’s downpour it was extremely soggy underfoot but a pleasant walk. Overall the week was enjoyable but the weather and topography made for challenging walking. In addition, we have never climbed so many styles in a week – kissing gates have not reached Lancashire yet! It is an area we did not know before we went and we were impressed by the scenery.

Fell Foot near Chipping

When we got back on Friday afternoon our garden was dry enough to plant over wintered onions and shallots – quite a contrast.

Mary-Ann, Andy, Amélie and Albert flew to Stockholm yesterday so we will be missing them for a while. They arrived safely, they like their flat but Albert already has his first Scandinavian cold.

Love

Mike & Kate