The URL for this 6.4437 mile walk is: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=951449
Starting beside the attractive Jumbles Reservoir, first heron and Grebe spotted...
the route headed up over cliffs...
where butterflies...
and a second heron were spotted.
We passed the impressive Turton Tower (and determined to return after the walk for sustenance) and crossed the equally impressive castellated railway bridge - built to harmonise with the tower.
I couldn't convince Chris to climb a tower ("it's not the climbing up but the getting down that's problem").
Debate about which path to follow eventually led us to Turton golf course; instructions said "follow a line of yellow-topped marker posts"! What it didn't say was there were several paths and all were marked by "yellow topped marker posts". Grrrrrr! Following instincts we found the golf club and made our way across fields to Last Drop Village.
A purpose-built complex that is a collection of old farm buildings, restored and converted into a traditional English Village in the 1960s. Chris & I said we must go back and take a closer look at some time in the future (pub, hotel, teashop, galleries & shops).
We then headed, as you will see from the map, through a more built-up area where there seemed to be a competition with who could grow the best Azaleas...
Emerging at the end of Paper Mill Road to Eagley Brook valley, we crossed the brook and after many debates about which path to take, we made our way through attractive woodland to pass a footbridge and eventually emerge onto a cobbled track. The guide had said "there are lots of paths and path junctions - not always clear- and the route directions need to be followed carefully"; how right they were!
The next part was much easier as we walked through Astley Bridge; we rejoined Eagley Brook on an enclosed path and sat on a wall next to the brook to eat our bananas.
After a steep climb we walked up a cobbled path to Hall i'th Wood...
Another of Lord Leverhulme's restorations at the end of the 19th century; its main claim to fame is that here, Samuel Crompton developed the spinning mule in 1779, and event that helped revolutionise the Lanc's cotton industry.
Another enclosed path and a walk along the edge of playing fields led us to the main railway and...
...sorry Ben I had to take another!
Reaching Bromley Cross, we passed under the railway and along Shady Lane and Grange Road. Then it was across fields, through a small wood and eventually down to Jumbles Reservoir Dam. Crossing the brook from the outlet we climbed back up to the car park.
We did go to Turton Tower after that; toasted sandwiches and Hot Chocolate for Chris, coffee for me.
The tower had been built (15th century), as a peel tower, to defend against Scottish incursions; enlarged and modernised in the Tudor & Stuart periods...
and again in the Victorian era. Well worth a visit and the food was good.
On the way home (traffic heavy as Bolton were playing at home) we saw our third heron, on someones roof (looked very silly!)
For those interested it was the last day of the football; Wigan managed to stay in the Premier League and Liverpool ended up third!
technorati tags:Jumbles, Reservoir, Turton, Tower, Last Drop Village, Eagley Brook, Hall i'th Wood
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