Wednesday 24 August 2022 - Thieveley Pike

This was my first outing with the LDWA for some time. I joined a 'Plodder' walk, starting from Clowbridge Reservoir, near enough to Bacup for me to be able to visit my daughter afterwards.

Times have changed. All 17 of us were requested to sign in and provide our LDWA number and our email addresses. Pictured above, Mike Lee, today's leader, addresses the masses.

(Note that you can click on any image to get a better copy, and access to a slideshow.)

Soon after setting off, some Plodders became Laggards! A (very acceptable) feature of the day.

We stopped on Stoney Hill to admire the view back to Clowbridge Reservoir, which dates from 1866.

Around here are various piles of stones that are all that remains of a hamlet, Gambleside, that dated from 1242 and comprised a gathering of substantial stone buildings from the 16th century. It has gone now, but there are information boards with photos of the hamlet, which was occupied in living memory by a milkman.

Nearby, Compston's Cross, an ancient stone that was moved in about 1902 to its current position, following a campaign from Samuel Compston, a local Alderman.

It was t-shirt weather on a fine, warm day, the only rain being a short deluge in the car park for some of us who arrived early. The next two pictures were taken in the vicinity of Clough Bottom.

When Mike was at the front, we mainly didn't go the wrong way. When he left it to others, they frequently had to be called back to properly follow his intricate route.

Next to Burnley Road, near Bent Hill, we were allowed a drinks break. Sadly only the four quickest got a seat, and it looks as if the stone seat will soon be taken over by a tree. This is a 'garden' in memory of Linda Cropper, one of a renowned family of Rossendale sheepdog trialers.

The target of this walk was Thieveley Pike, the 449 metre summit (number 16506) of which offers the following view to the south.

Our march amble plod continued along the Burnley Way to join the northern end of the Irwell Sculpture Trail before crossing the A671 road at Weir. Rosebay Willowherb bloomed in the foreground.

A short stretch of easy moorland paths took us over to Water, where the 1950's relic pictured below looked as if it might just be in working order, despite needing some TLC.

The walk took us at a slow pace, as some of the esteemed Plodders, not being in the first flush of youth, struggled over some of the stiles. The one shown below, near the end of the walk, was deceptively easy - the wooden slats being quite close to each other.

Finally, after encountering a large family of Orthodox Jews in their traditional dress, we reached the gate that leads back to the spacious car park.

Here's our route - about 17 km, with rather less than 400 metres of ascent. The entire jaunt took about 5 hours, including breaks. (Click on the image for a better version.) An excellent outing.

Mike Lee's report and photos are here.