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.

Friday = Isabella Day (20)

Today was spent in the cheerful company of Isabella, at the RHS Bridgewater gardens. It was an altogether lovely day. Here are a few of the photos, principally for Great Grandma Dot, and other family members.

There was a display of about 19 birds of prey, but sadly no flying or commentary due to illness

It doesn't look it (as we've eaten it), but lunch was a sumptuous affair on my old traveling rug

There was a village for fairies, around the time that we stopped for a coffee, and bumped into Pam and Paul (and Hilary), who we hadn't seen for ages

Worsley New Hall can no longer be seen from this position - it has gone

Isabella loved the gardens, especially where there were ripe strawberries!

All too soon, time to go home after a lovely outing - just a short drive from home - we'll go again

Monday 22 August 2022 - A Bollin Valley 10 km

I've reported on this route before - here (26/12/21) and here (9/11/21), and have failed (so far as I can see) to record other visits to the route, which was originally devised as a 10km route for a sponsored run for Bollin Primary School. [Step by step instructions are available, but most folk should be able to follow the route plotted on the map below.]

I'd been planning a 'Cicerone Lancashire' outing, but the weather forecast was poor. So, needing to get out somewhere, I donned waterproofs and jumped in the car for a four mile drive to Ashley Mill Lane, and set off along the track towards 'Into the Wild'. By now the sky had cleared and the waterproofs were superfluous.

'Into the Wild' had not yet opened - not a big surprise at 7:30 - and it was a bit early for a coffee break anyway.

Some of the crops have been harvested hereabouts, as per this typical Cheshire scene near the river Bollin. Wood pigeons and buzzards are overhead, with many smaller birds pecking in the stubble.

The sweetcorn has yet to fully mature, but the path left by the farmer through this field is impressive.

Just beyond the sweetcorn, the Bollin is crossed again. The river is very low compared to its level on my 2021 visits (see link at the head of this posting).

Something is going on next to the path by Ryecroft Farm. I couldn't work out what work is being done.

Very soon the path re-entered woodland near the M56 motorway, which was soon crossed by way of a convenient footbridge above the Monday morning traffic.

A good path continues beside the motorway, before heading beside a tall hedge towards Birkin Farm. This often boggy path was bone dry today. The prediction of rain had clearly been erroneous, and I wondered what it would have been like on my aborted 'Deepest Lancashire' planned walk.

I also wondered where the path went before the M56 was built. I wish my old 'quarter inch' maps from 1945 and 1946 showed a bit more detail.

Soon, a tree lined lane led me to the Ashley Hall complex.

There's even a tea room here that looked as if it was just opening up - 9am on a sunny morning. Being so close to the end of the walk, and a ten minute drive home, I passed by on this occasion.

At the entrance to the Ashley Hall estate is a small building with a door at the back. I've noticed this on many occasions and am still puzzled as to its use, and why the entrance should be at the back.

It's just a short stroll from here beside Ashley Road to Ashley Mill Lane, reaching the car after exactly 10km.

Here's the route, with a strange loop by the start, where my GPS must have been short of satellites. As usual, click on the image for a better version.

November 2004 - The Annapurna Circuit - Day 23

Tuesday 23 November
Nagarkot to Changunarayan and Kathmandu 

[Diarist: Martin]
The hoped for 6 am wake-up knock did not occur - it was misty. Instead we had some Indian(?) children playing outside our room. It had been a comfortable night, the coolness of the room being enhanced by the welcome hot water bottles. 

We all assembled for breakfast at 7 am. Mahesh was allowed to join us this time! Then we resumed our walk at 8 am in weak, hazy sunshine.

Down through a highly populated area with lots of goats, chickens, a few cattle, schoolchildren in pristine blue uniforms, sweetcorn drying high up on stands.

Past bamboo fences and small fires, women washing themselves and their clothes, friendly greetings from all. 

We passed, after a couple of hours, a small temple from which we descended 100 metres to around 1550 metres. There were small yellowish birds - smaller than yellowhammers but otherwise similar.

Then we rose again up the final part of the ridge which leads eventually to our terminus for the walk, the ancient pilgrimage site of Changunarayan. On the way we pass lots of army boys on a manoeuvre - strange to have loaded guns pointed at us. But friendly 'namaste' greetings. Battle plans are set out on small plastic sheets, using toy vehicles and leaves and grass and model men. Mahesh has relatives and friends in both the army and the Gurkhas - the latter are a revered breed and are relatively very wealthy.

Misty views over green hills beyond steep multi-coloured terraces. A solid green hillside is opposite us to the south, and a nice little town lies below to the north, beside a river. The place is Sakhu and has an Alpine look to it, though the buildings are bound to be crumbling Nepalese.

View to the Kathmandu Valley

We rest for a while above the army area; Mahesh has his lunch. Then the final half hour of our stroll down the ridge, past firs and aloes, and a magnificent swing constructed from four bamboo poles, lots more children and goats some with triplet kids.

Lush vegetables, especially cabbages, on the last section of today's walk. Mahesh had not done this route before, but he was able to ask the way, and he was impressed by the temple at the end of the walk.

Hindu temple at Changunarayan

Also noted - frisky goat kids, children asking for pens and money, blue skies, smells of spices, circling kites, Maoist paranoia, Sanjeev's efficient organisation. 

And so, by 11:30 we are at our destination, Changunarayan - an ancient site with a small bus park (we have had a traffic free morning on nice paths) and lots of adoring visitors. Only a handful of westerners here, so we get hassled to buy things. That is actually stopping me from buying anything! The slight disappointment of the shortness of the walk was soon forgotten when it started to spot with rain for the second time this trip, the first being yesterday afternoon. So we headed back to the old Toyota minibus - an ancient, leaky, turquoise beast - for the 30 to 40 minute drive back to the luxuries of the Radisson Hotel. 

	22 Nov	23 Nov
Start (m)	1575	2000
Ascent (m)	900	180
Descent (m)	-475	-595
Finish (m)	2000	1585
Time (hrs)	6.30	3.30
Stops (hrs)	1.00	0.30
Walking Time (hrs)	5.30	3.00

Before Mahesh left us we gave him a 1500 rupee tip (£25) and the old UNO cards - he had enjoyed last night's game and seemed pleased with this. 

Then a lazy afternoon - first we all meet to consume our packed lunches, than we laze in baths/sauna in front of TV whilst the rain falls outside. We pack our bags in preparation for tomorrow's departure. 

Then downstairs to meet Andrew, who is in the midst of a Japanese briefing session! before a short 15 minute stroll, avoiding mud and puddles, to the Chimney Restaurant at the famous Yak and Yeti Hotel. This is an old converted palace and is a magnificent building. The food was excellent, served by white-gloved waiters, enjoyed in the company of a Canadian couple from Montreal. It was her 30th birthday and the superb cake was shared with us. They had been up beyond Everest Base Camp, a tea house trek in good weather - with just one porter - to carry her pack. Very sensible, we thought. 

Back in time for bed by 10 pm, after a stroll through light rain, to the disappointment of the taxi drivers.

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