Around Stocks Reservoir 18th February 2012

The start of the walk, still a little wet underfoot, but at least it wasn't raining!

Our first view of Stocks Reservoir.

Stocks Reservoir from the North.

Where is this new bridge?

Walk stats: Distance: 11.3 miles. Climb: 1786'.

Time: 5 hours 28 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.4 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.1 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Roger, Dave J and Mike.

The journey to Slaidburn was almost entirely in rain, that seemed to be getting worse the nearer that we got to our start destination.  There was lots of surface water on the roads and at times a little deeper than just on the surface.

Some of us were anticipating sitting in the car for some time in the hope that the forecast better weather would come through.

In fact almost as soon as we arrived in the car park, the rain had eased considerably, encouraging us to put on our gear and set off.  The rain soon stopped completely and it wasn't too long before we were basking in sunshine!

However conditions underfoot were still very wet and at times muddy as we went across fields and moorland.

This area must have add a lot of rain recently as the fields were saturated, the rivers and streams in spate and the reservoir seemed very full.

Lunch was taken a little early, just 4.6 miles into the walk, but by so doing we were able to take advantage of a seat in the sun, and at the same time being protected from the cool wind  by large stone wall.

We arrived back at the with tired legs, but boots not as muddy as expected!

Birds seen or heard today included: Blue tit, Great tit, Coal tit, Chaffinch, Mallard, Common starling, Jackdaw, Carrion crow, Rook, Great cormorant, Common pheasant, Common gull, Lesser black-backed gull, Black-headed gull, Greylag goose, Canada goose, Barnacle goose, Goldeneye and Dave's Dipper.

After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Hark to Bounty in Slaidburn, where Martyn and Roger enjoyed a cup of tea or two. The only beer sampled was from the Tirrel brewery, an OK bitter, but on this occasion a little on the cool side.  This couldn't be said of the bar itself, the heat from the huge fire at one end of the bar could still be felt at the other side of the room!