Jumbles, Wayoh, Turton and Entwistle Reservoirs 28th September 2019

About to cross the bridge over the outflow of Jumbles Reservoir.

The overflow from Jumbles Reservoir.

One of many paths that were more like a stream.

Jumbles Reservoir from the western shore.

The north east panorama from the Witton Weaver Way north of Cheetham Close.

Turton and Entwistle Reservoir from the road over the dam.

Great cormorants in Turton and Entwistle Reservoir.

Heron art in Turton and Entwistle Reservoir near our lunchspot.

Elaine leading the way to the footbridge north of Fox Hill.

Not risking the ford!

Wayoh Reservoir from the Witton Weaver Way path at the south east corner of the reservoir.

A path being used by Mallards.

Walk stats: Distance: 9.4 miles. Climb: 972'.

Time: 4 hours 6 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.5 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.0 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Mike and Elaine.

Just as we arrived at the Water Fold car park it started to rain, and we ended up sitting in the car just hoping that the torrential rain would stop. Thankfully after an hour it eased sufficiently, for Mike  to open the his door say "come on lets go".

 It was still raining, so we all set off full waterproofs, but I decided to remove them just before we reached the road to Turton Towers.

 Many of the paths encountered today were more like streams and he paths around Turton and Entwistle were flooded so much that we were unable to walk along the southern side of the reservoir.  

 On the northern side we were able to get as far as the Heron art work, but even this was only done by weaving our way through the trees / forest adjacent to the path.

 Thankfully one of the benches was dry and on dry land, but the other was partially submerged in water.

 We were able to sit enjoying our lunch, not exactly in sunshine, but at least it had stopped raining.

 After lunch, it was decision time, do we retrace our steps to the dam or should we be more adventurous and use a bit of map reading and use some unknown paths to rejoin the planned route at Entwistle Station. We ended up choosing the latter, but the route north of Fox Hill to and beyond the footbridge wasn't easy, especially climbing up the steep wooded bank on the north side of the footbridge. Once we had rejoined the Witton Weaver Way it was all plain sailing.

 Navigating on new paths in an unknown area is always rewarding, but I don't think I will be repeating the Fox Hill footbridge route again, especially when an alternative is available even if it is a little longer.

 Birds seen or heard today included: European robin, Common blackbird, Great crested grebe, Black-headed gull, Wood nuthatch, Mallard and Common buzzard.

 We arrived back at the car, grateful that the car park was no longer awash, and having had an enjoyable walk with one of our Bolton friends.

 after walk drinks were enjoyed at the Netherton Hall at Frodsham, where the Lees bitter went down well, but of course it always does!

Winter Hill and Rivington Pike 15th June 2019

Rivington Hall.

Climbing the steps to the through the ornamental gardens of Lever Park.

Looking across a recently restored pond towards the dovecot.

Last climb to Winter Hill

Looking North from Winter Hill.

At the trig point on Winter Hill.

The well cared for Scotchman's Stump.

Looking North towards the masts on Winter Hill.

Looking over Cotton grass covered moorland towards Rivington Pike.

Trying to avoid some of the boggy bits on on the Rotary Way across Two Lads and Crooked Edge Hill.

The climb to the large stone Two Lads cairn.

At the Two Lads Cairn.

Looking South from Rivington Pike.

The view from our lunch spot in Lever Park.

Crossing a footbridge as we descended from Rivington Pike along a series of paved paths and steps.

Part of The Castle on the East side of Lower Rivington Reservoir.

Walk stats: Distance: 8.4 miles. 1372'.

Time: 4hours 30 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.2 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.0 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Mike, John and Elaine.

We weren't sure whether we would get rain or not, with the BBC suggesting it would rain after 14-00 and the Met Office suggesting that there was an over fifty percent chance of rain all day. At least they both agreed that wouldn't be cold with a feel like temperature of around 12 Celsius and only a gentle breeze.

 We set off up the drive towards Rivington Hall, already with plenty of parked cars in parking areas on both sides of the road.

 John, one of our Bolton friends, led us through sections of the ornamental garden to the first objective of the day - the "pigeon". Everywhere we went in the ornamental gardens there was evidence of a major restoration taking place to bring the gardens back to look as they did when first created.

 Leaving the dovecot, we set off along the Belmont Road, knowing that we needed to cross a wooden footbridge onto the open moorland and the final climb to the masts on Winter Hill.

 We had been walking along this road for longer than we expected, and stopped to look at  the map, Two walks heading down the road, stopped to ask if we were lost and reassured us that the wooden footbridge was a little further ahead of us.

 After crossing the footbridge we were soon greeted by singing Skylarks, a delightful sound that accompanied us all the way from the masts to Crooked Edge Hill.

 It was surprising to see so much Cotton grass making distant views of the moorland around the masts appear as though the moors were decked in snow,

 Approaching Rivington Pike it became obvious that this was a very popular place walkers, so much so that it was impossible to take a photo of the just the building.

 It was just as we started to descend the steps from the Pike that it started to rain, so much so that some of the group stopped to put on their waterproofs. The rain had come just a little earlier than we had hoped and even worse just as we wanted to stop for lunch.

 We ended up taking lunch, sheltering in the trees overlooking one of the ornamental pond. This was a stand up lunch, the first time we had failed to locate a suitable place to sit. Thankfully the worst of the rain passed through as we had lunch sheltering in the trees. Ahead of us now was the descent through the ornamental gardens along the labyrinth of paved terraces linked by steps.

 The final section of the walk was along the wooded path from The Castle along the edge of the Lower Rivington Reservoir. The Castle was full of people, again making it impossible to take any photos of folly. Birds seen today included: Common blackbird, Common kestrel, Black-headed gull, Carrion crow, Mallard, Common swift, Barn swallow, Meadow pipit, Skylark and if you believe Mike and Elaine - a yellow duck!

 It started to rain again as we headed up from the "Go Ape" area back to the car.

 We arrived back at the car, having had an enjoyable walk, especially so as our friends from Bolton were able to join us and guide us through the ornamental gardens sections of the walk.

  After walk drinks for the Chester members of the group was at the Netherton Hall, Frodsham, where eventually we were able to enjoy a pint of Lees bitter, well worth waiting for the barrel to be changed.

Pendle Hill from Downham 11th May 2019

Bluebells still in flower south east of Downham.

Pendle Hill from Great Coppy.

Treking across Great Coppy.

A singing Skylark trying to make itself heard above the noise of the wind.

The popular trig point on the Beacon/Big End, Pendle Hill.

Lunch at the new wind shelter on Pendle Hill.

A Russian inscription at the new Pendle Hill wind shelter.

It means "beauty" but why is it a Russian inscription there?

Green hairstreak on Pendle Hill.

Skylark on Pendle Hill.

A Skylark on Pendle Hill.

Rain approaching?

Crossing Pendle Hll towards the wind shelter and Scout Cairn beyond.

More Blubells on the south west side of Downham.

Walk stats: Distance: 8.2 miles. 1540'.

Time: 5 hours 25 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.0 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 1.5 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Roger and Jim.

 Arriving at Downham, I was surprised to find that once more a fell race taking place, having previously checked on the internet and found that the Pendle Hill Fell race had taken place in April. In addition a local mayor had chosen today for his charity walk, so we set off knowing that there was no chance of seeing any Dotterel.

 We started an hour before the fell race was due to start, and didn't see any fell racers until around mid-day when we started to climb the wide path from Pendle House to reach the plateau south of the trig point.

 So far the weather had been kind to us, being largely bright and sunny, with a cooling wind at times. We didn't see any Dotterel, but frequently heard Willow warblers and Skylarks. The Skylarks seemed to be everywhere as w crossed the Great Coppy and the area of Pendle Hill plateau as we headed east towards the large high walled wind shelter.

 The trig pount was very crowded, so we deided a team photo at the highest point on the walk wouldn't be easy, so we carried on in search of a sheltered spot for lunch.

 Our surprise today was to find a new wind shelter that w hadn't previously noticed before, even though it had been built in 2017 by a stonemason called Pill Dolphin.

  Apparently it had been designed to enable people to sit and enjoy the views across Pendle Hill towards the east. Perhaps the beautiful views from this excellent wind shelter was the origin of the inscription " Kpacota", but why I still don't know why it should be in Russian.

 However we did linger here for some time as we basked the the warm sunshine sheltered from the wind as we had our lunch. Even a small bright green butterfly joined ius for a while.

 As we headed eastward across the Pendle Hill plateau towards the Scout cairn, we could see bad weather coming in the Trough of Bowlands direction. We were hopeful it would just miss us, but alas it didn't, and we were forced to put our waterproofs on, as the hail started. It didn't last long and as often happens by the time we had put on all of our waterproofs it had stopped. We decided to leave them on until we had dropped down about 600' and were on the path adjacent to Burst Clough on the west side of Worston Moor.

 Birds seen or heard today included: House sparrow, Greenfinch, Common chaffinch, Rook, Raven, Common buzzard, Stonechat, Meadow pipit, Skylark, Willow warbler, European robin, Common blackbird, Barn swallow, Fieldfare, Goldfinch and red grouse.

 We arrived back at the car, having had a really good walk, and learned that the fell racers had completed a 14 mile race with over 4000' of climb, I don't think doing a fell race would ever get on my "bucket list", if I decided to make one.

 After walk drinks were enjoyed at the Netherton Hall in Frodsham, where thankfully the Lees Bitter was once more available to revive us (our legs had stiffened up, and we all hobbled in like three old men! I suppose we should in reality admit that is what we are!)

A Bluebell Wood Walk Around Parbold 19th May 2018

.Date should be 19th May 2018.

Bluebells in the hedgerow early in the walk.

An early encounter, but wasn't hanging around to have a photo taken. 

One of two Brown hares seen on the edge of a wood North of Parbold Hill.

A Celtic cross memorial in a hamlet North west of Prior's Wood Farm.

Wild Ramsons, a flower in abundance today.

Sensible lambs.

Ramsons along the paths in the Fairy Glen.

The waterfall in the fairy Glen.

Bluebells in the Fairty Glen, Parbold.

A bank of Bluebells in the Fairty Glen, Parbold.

Bluebells in a wood North of Sparrow Hill.

Walk stats: distance: 10.1 miles. Climb: 850'..Time: 5 hours 0 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.5 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.0 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Elaine and John.

This was a good day for a walk, especially when trying to avoid all of the hysteria concerning other events taking elsewhere.

 The weather was bright and sunny with very little breeze, a little more would have been welcome as temperatures rose. the temperature must have risen above 20 Celsius at times.

 As a "Bluebell Wood Walk", the morning was a little disappointing with most of the Bluebells seen being well past their best.

 However the morning highlight was seen two Brown hares  as we descended towards Parbold Hill. One came within about 20 metres of us, but didn't stay still long enough to have its photo taken.

 Lunch was taken near the locks North west of Appley Bridge, where we took advantage of a bench. several ducks and one or two passing dogs showed great interest in what we were having for lunch, but only Elaine was willing enough to share some of her lunch with the ducks.

 as we walked along the towpath of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal we saw one female Mallard with at least 11 ducklings, but they weren't easy to count as they seemed were quite scattered, but still within about 10 metres of their parent.

 Bluebells were a little better in the afternoon, with good banks of them seen in the Fairy Glen and a wood North of Sparrow Hill.

 Distant view were very hazy, although we could just about see the mast on Winter Hill at one point and Blackpool Tower at another point.

 Birds seen or head today included: Chiffchaff, Willow warbler, Song thrush, Mallard, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Common blackbird, Black-headed gull, Rook, Woodpigeon, Common starling, Wood nuthatch, Blackcap, European robin, Grey wagtail and Common pheasant.

 Although the Bluebells weren't at their best there were plenty of flowers blooming including: Greater stitchwort, Buttercups, Ramson, red clover, Herb robert, Red campion, Blackthorn and Hawthorn.

 We arrived back at the cars having had a good pleasant walk despite the Bluebells not being at their best, with the added bonus that our boots were still clean, the absence of rain over the last week meant that the usual muddy sections had mud that was baked hard, making our progress much easier.

 After walk drinks were enjoyed with a cup of tea when we got home, Elaine and John about 15-30 and me about an hour later.

 Overall a good walk to be repeated, but nearer the beginning of May to catch the Bluebells at their best.

Pendle Hill From Downham 5th May 2018

Date should be 5th May 2018.

Wood nuthatch - probably a juvenile.

The first Bluebells seen today. (on the way to Lane Head)

Looking South west towards Downham.

Pendle Hll from the Hecklin Farm access track.

The Beacon (Big End) and Pendle Hill.

The view from our lunch spot - looking Eastward towards Barley.

At the trig point on the Beacon (Big End).

At the trig point on the Beacon (Big End).

The wind shelter and Scout Cairn on Pendle Hill, but can you spot the Kestrel?

Much easier to see the Kestrel this time.

Heading towards Longlands Wood and Downham

Bluebells in Longlands Wood.

Walk stats: Distance: 8.1 miles. Climb: 1487'.

time: 5 hours 31 minutes. On the move walk average: 1.9 m.p.h. (2.4 m.p.h. on my newest GPS). Overall walk average: 1.5 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn and Mike.

What a glorious day weather-ise this turned out to be. Bright and sunny all day, with hardly any wind, even we we would have been grateful towards the end of the walk and the temperature was above 20 Celsius. Although we were hopeful for Dotterels, the only thing beginning with "D" that we saw were dogs - lots of them - with owners. This was a day thy everyone from miles around seemed to have decided to go up Pendle Hill. It was god to see lots of families, some with very young children enjoying climbing up this Lancashire hill.

 Thankfully the route we chose to climb was slightly less popular than other more direct routes. We had lunch nearly at the top of the path on South west from Pendle House, so that by the time we reached the trig point, most of the crowds had left.

 The joyful sound of Skylarks singing could be heard as we had our lunch and then accompanied us for most of the walk across the Beacon and Pendle Hill and down to Moorside.

 Birds seen or heard today included: Common chaffinch, Common blackbird, Common buzzard, Common pheasant, Carrion crow, Rook, Jackdaw, wood nuthatch, Meadow pipit, Skylark, Common kestrel, Great tit, Dunnock, Willow warbler, Raven and Barn swallow,

 The best sighting of the day was probably a Brown hare, although a couple of young boys would probably say it was the tadpoles they spotted in a puddle next to the  Pendle Side track.

 The only disappointment, other than the lack of Dotterels, was the fact that distant views were rather hazy.

 We arrived back at Downham to find that it was heaving with people, many enjoying the local ice-cream. The walk had been a really good one, probably one of the best of our many trips up Pendle Hill as far as the weather was concerned and now we were looking forward to a good pint of Lees bitter on the way home.

We called in at the Netherton Hall in Frodsham, but alas the Lees bitter had run out and had to make do with a pint of MPA and Founder's.