Lancashire Trail Part 2: 3rd September

As the next stage is only 3.5 miles we decided to do the next section as well. A total of 9.5 miles -well that was what it was supposed to be! We set off from Billinge and rejoined the trail (about an extra mile)to climb up Billinge Hill to the beacon on the top - pity about the graffiti. A pleasant walk under the M58 and up to Abbey Lakes but no sign of the lakes. This was the end of stage 2 which quickly led into a part of Deans Wood that was previously unexplored by the Dalziels. Very pretty but slippery in places and a steep climb out of the wood into a field. We ended up in Roby Mill conveniently near to the Fox pub (of Mandy's 18th birthday fame)where we stopped for a while as it decided to pour down for the second time. It was clearing up by the time we set off towards Ashurst Beacon on a path which we have previously walked in the opposite direction. From the Beacon we should have turned left at Banghams Farm but as we never found this we went a couple of miles out of our way before rejoining the correct path some time later! The path eventually crosses the River Douglas and Leeds & Liverpool canal before climbing really steeply up to the top of Parbold Hill by the Wiggin Tree Pub.
Highlights of the walk were a leaping squirrel, a jumping kestrel, John sliding into the stream in Deans Wood (I said it was slippery!)baguettes and beer at the Fox and the ice cream man at the top of Parbold Hill. We had left my car at the Wiggin Tree so it was a quick drive back to Billinge to find John's car. A long day, damp in places but some very nice sections and a feeling of achievement at the end of it all. We started at 10.30 and finished just before 4.30 pm. Home for roast lamb and a night of exciting Sunday night viewing - I bet Ben is missing that!