Friday 27 January 2012 – A Long Preston Amble

I pottered up to Long Preston for a morning stroll with Heather, of TGO Challenge fame.  It had snowed overnight above around 250 metres, but everything was rather soggy and sunshine was intermittent at best.  I’ve been looking enviously at all the wonderful photos from people who managed to get out on the following day (Saturday), but hey – we had a nice walk, and my knee survived.

Only a few pictures were taken, and those worth retaining were all taken from about the same spot – a small col to the east of Sugar Loaf Hill, from where the rugged outline of Attermire Scar provides a stunning backdrop, and there are also good views back down towards Ribblesdale.

Our brief glimpse of the sun at this, our far point of the walk, was soon eclipsed by the blackness of a rain laden sky which thankfully kept its counsel (just about) until we were able to take cover in Heather’s house, where tasty Welsh rarebit and salad was comfortably washed down with a welcome mug of tea.

On the way back to Long Preston we passed The Hawes, a 100 acre site where native broadleaf woodland was planted in 2003.  The site, which Heather thinks has recently changed owners, is intended to attract a wide variety of wildlife, and welcomes visitors.

Further along the track, Bookilber Barn, wrecked for many years after a fire, has been converted into luxury holiday accommodation for up to 12 people.  Strangely, I’m unable to get any idea of prices from its website!

Here’s the route we took – a very amenable little excursion from Long Preston - 14km, 270 metres ascent, taking a leisurely 3 hours.

Thanks for your company, Heather, I enjoyed this short outing.

The rest of the pictures are here.