Panopticon for Pendle - Atom

Pan... what? The weather today wasn't very promising and we eventually decided to go back to Wycoller to do the two other walks, combined as one. The URL for the route we took is: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1055379

Chris, as she is wont, went to look at the noticeboard and map only to return with this, new to me, term 'Panopticon'. Apparently the 'spaceship' we had seen on our last walk around Wycoller was a Panopticon; a structure, space or device providing a comprehensive or panoramic view!

More of this later; dressed for the rain that appeared to be due any minute, we set off; away from the car park (and away from Wycoller) and across fields past Slack Farm, across the small tributary of Wycoller Beck and onwards to Souteril Laith. The Farm Building conversion here was underway and after brief inspection we continued to Winewall past a disused quarry. We watched briefly Kestrels, that were apparently nesting on the quarry face.

Down through Winewall, a very attractive East Lancashire village (the incline too steep for Chris to want to live there) past the Cotton Tree Inn; yes I did say past! and over the Colne Water.

We then turned right and followed the river Colne Water to Laneshaw Bridge. The mill pond and weir were two of the attractions on route.

Dog Roses were in most hedgerows, although in a week they were well past their best.

From Laneshaw Bridge we followed, what was now Wycoller Beck, to Wycoller. This East Lancashire village is just as if you have stepped back in time; wonderful! At the back of the ruins of Wycoller hall we sat briefly for water (we had plenty) and banana.

Climbing the steps at the back of the hall we headed up, what I found out later, an Old Coach Road. the Panopticon could be seen above us...

It was apparently the winner in the international Panopticon competition organised in association with the Royal Institute of British Architects in summer 2003 to find original ideas for East Lancashire's new landmarks.

Our instructions should have taken us along a path below but I decided I need a closer look and Chris was just a keen.

You must admit it was worth going to see! The view as we entered...

was impressive and having admired the views, turning back towards the door was just as impressive.

If you click on the images you will find greater detail and additional information, on flickr.

From the Panoptican we went higher up and past Foster's Leap; a impressive group of boulders, overlooking a very green Wycoller valley. It was then down past the side of the old farmhouse and diagonally across fields towards Parson Lane Farmhouse. Crossing Wycoller Beck again we past along the track through Smithy Clough, returning to Wycoller along Smithy Lane. On the way we past a series of willow sculptures, near the Aisled Barn. (Another project like the Panopticans, called Land).

Refreshments were consumed at the Craft shop in the centre of the village before we returned to the car park and home. It was father's day so it was nice to talk to Mandy in Peterborough, Ben in San Francisco and to have Melanie round for tea later that day. All in all, an excellent day was had by all and the rain kept away!

technorati tags:Wycoller, Winewall, Laneshaw, Panopticon, Fosters, leap

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Warpers Trail

The URL for the Warpers Trail is: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1034113 This includes the detour which seems to happen more often than not these days; I always get a feeling we have gone wrong so thank goodness it is never far out of our way. Who ever wrote the instructions can't count!

We started the fourth and final part of the Witton Weavers Way at the car park next to Turton & Entwistle reservoir.

Heading back towards the Green Arms Road (B6391) along the right-hand of two gullies (Chris it is "a deep ditch or channel cut in the earth by running water after a prolonged downpour") past a tiny reservoir and up the hillside.

Crossing the road down to the car park we continued up the path, turning right at Green Arms Road and 1st left along a track past Clough House.

Taking a left we crossed the Blackburn to Bolton Railway line, past an old waterwheel and Turton Tower on our left. For those of you who follow our walks you may remember the bridge...

and the tower...

At the Chapeltown Road we turned left and right past the wartime pillbox; used to protect the largest reservoirs and to keep watch over Horrobin Mill, used for wartime storage.

It was then down through the woods and over the bridge at the end of Jumbles Reservoir

Turning left we followed the reservoir as it narrowed into Bradshaw Brook. We emerged from the woods at Turton Bottoms and crossed a bridge with cobbles on it! I'm not sure what Chris was expecting when I said we would cross the cobbled bridge but it wasn't what I have described!

From 1800 there was much industrial development here including a spinning mill, bleachworks, colliery and stone mill. Turning right, further up the road, we crossed Packhorse bridge with its ford and emerged on another cobbled road.

Turning right down Birches Road we past Printers Cottages on our right and turned left.

We then turned right through new houses and up steps out of Quarlton Vale.

The village we had passed through was one of the most attractive I've seen and the views as we reached the top were impressive as well...

 

Across several fields, past a waterfall...

we followed the stream. After climbing the hill we crossed a track and walked through the Barlow Institute playground and the bowling green onto the main Bolton Road.

Turning left we headed downhill to the Black Bull Public house. Taking the footpath at the side of the pub, we headed towards Wayoh Reservoir. Climbing the path by the rails we kept near the reservoir to eventually reach Hob Lane.

You may be pleased to know we had taken plenty of water with us today! It was needed with the sun burning down.

Apparently at the second bridge we were to take a narrow path that leaves the main track off to the right. We did, our first mistake! Apparently the writer couldn't count! It was the third bridge; by the time I was positive we had gone wrong our 8.5 mile walk was now going to be 9.75 miles; damn!

We eventually reached Edge Lane, turned right and crossed the railway. The "walker's popular haunt, the Strawbury Duck" was a welcome feeding station; far too much for Chris but I managed and the two pints were very welcome!

We continued along Edge Lane, taking the left of the three forks ending up above Turton & Entwistle reservoir. Directions were not that clear again but without too much trouble we found our way back to the banks of the reservoir.

We continued until we approached the end of the reservoir and took the path on our right back to the car park.

Probably the best walk we have done for a long time. The day was too hot for my liking but the walk itself was varied and interesting along its whole length.

So endeth the Witton Weavers Way. What is next?

technorati tags:warpers, trail, Turton, Entwistle, reservoir, Wayoh, Jumbles

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Gmaps Pedometer for Tacklers Trail

The URL for the Tacklers Trail is: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1030995

technorati tags:Gmap, Tacklers, Trail

Better Late than Never!

The Tacklers Trail

I had half expected Chris to write up this walk as I've been down in Hadleigh. Went down Thursday afternoon and arrived back about an hour ago. eXe Workshop in Whitham, Essex.

Any how, our 9.5 mile walk (I'll check the distance when I do the map) had more tha a couple of "short steep slopes" but the guide was spot on about the rough moorland path (Darwen Moor)

We started in Sunnyhurst Wood (you may remember that we have been here earlier in the year to look at pictures by Chrissie's father-in-law; Chrissie from work!) and following Sunnyhurst Brook we emerged by an iron gate at the corner of Earnsdale Reservoir.

Skirting the reservoir we arrived at Tockholes Road, (built in 1840s to link Tockholes with Darwen) Chris then said "That's a pleasant view!"

She gets worse! But just in case we were not aware of the vision before us, it was labelled.

We the passed through woodland towards Roddlesworth Upper Reservoir and crossed "Rocky Brook" the local name of the River Roddlesworth. Continuing alongside the brook we crossed Halliwell Fold Bridge and walked with the brook now on our right.

It was damp enough for fungi to flourish.

We had been through these woods and along this very path when we did the Lancashire Trail; in the opposite direction however.

After some distance we arrived at the ruins of Hollinshead Hall, the manor house of the Tockholes.

The wellhouse...

...as you can see above, still stands. Five springs of water meet here and they have legendary healing properties for eyes.

Continuing, after a short refreshment break, we made our way up onto Darwen Moor pausing to rest again, after the climb, on a bench at the top; bannana time! the walk accross the moor was warm to say the least; we were dressed for the cool, possible rain and here it was hot and sticky! We hadn't enough water with us! A lesson we need to learn from for future walks.

Curlews, green plovers etc were annoyed at our presence near their nests and one ewe tried frantically to get her very young lamb up a very steep bank...

The poor think could hardly walk let along climb.

The big question for the whole walk was "Where are the ruins of Top o' th' Brow farm? They were ment to be on the right but after much deliberation (and not for the first time on this walk) we eventually found our intended route (only about 2 miles added!)

The heat by now was having an unpleasant effect on me and that together with the poor footing, as we headed for a modern white house, known locally as Lord's Hall, made this part of the walk less enjoyable.

The walk from Lord's Hall drive to Darwen Tower...

(picture taken on an earlier walk) was a struggle; dry mouth and a tongue that seemed to be getting larger. However it wasn't that long before we were heading down towards Sunnyhurst Pub and a very welcome beverage or two!

The walk is one that I would do again but either with more water or in cooler weather. Tomorrow it is the Warpers Trail apparently 8.5 miles and the last paart of the 32 mile long trail; more water and hopefully a little cooler.

technorati tags:Tacklers, Trail, Witton, Weavers, Way, Sunnyhurst, Earnsdale, Reservoir, Roddlesworth, Hollinshead, Darwen, Tower

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Reelers' Trail

Walking on a Monday (Bank Holiday) makes a change from our usual Sunday walks. With Mandy and Dave paying a fleeting visit, plus the weather, we decided to leave it until today.

The URL for this part of the Witton Weavers Way is: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=994650

A relatively easy walk of just over 8 miles, with a couple of short steep ascents.

We started at The car park of the Medical Centre, next to Cherry Tree Library and walked along the path up to the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

Seeing a pair of swans with three youngsters (Cygnets) is unusual but...

7! She was apparently on her own as well! The One and a half miles was very pleasant with lots to see; I particularly liked the Flag Iris, especially the reflections.

Leaving the canal, near the Sun Paper Mill, we crossed the metal bridge and headed across field towards Stanworth Farm & the M65; climbing a ladder stile we headed down a field towards woodland. The field provided two photographic opportunities that Ben has been looking for for some time. One...

The lone tree in a field and two...

a pylon that lets you take a picture from underneath! Sorry Ben but England obviously provides more opportunities than California!

We didn't enter the wood, but passed under the M65 and along the wood boundary through two fields. At the corner of the second we crossed a stile into Stanworth Wood. This is part of the largest area of semi-ancient woodland in South Lancashire and is botanically very rich!

Dropping down into the wood we crossed the stream, via a wooden bridge, and climbed up to the crest of a hill, over another style and over a disused railway bridge.

We headed for and through Bradley Farm; Chris was upset by two dogs (chained but barking), I don't think she will ever recover from the 'black dog' experience of an earlier walk. Just before Red Lea Farm, at the end of the third field, we left the main track and skirted a woodland, down a grassy bank, some steps and crossed the River Roddlesworth.

We then followed a track up to the Hare & Hounds Public House in Abbey Village (we, yet again, resisted the temptation of refreshments; it is becoming a habit).

We past Rake Brook Reservoir, crossed the ford (run-off from reservoir; no water) and followed the track to Lower Roddlesworth Reservoir. Then it was off through more woodland and up hill past the 17th Century Higher Hill Farm.

The main feature was the garderobe on the outside

...once the height of fashion in hygienic toilets! Past some old weaver's cottages and down a narrow bridleway to the left of Cheetham Buildings, we came across the old parish pound or pinfold...

...where stray animals were impounded until reclaimed. The next place of interest was as we climbed a stile and footbridge over Sheep Bridge Brook; according to the guide, "there is evidence that a clash took place here during the Civil War, with the remains of 40 horses and various relics having been unearthed".

Emerging from the wood we walked for a short distance beside the busy M65 until we got onto Stockclough Lane near Higher Whitehalgh Farm. Lots of calves and Billy Bull in the adjacent field.

We then passed under the M65 to Lower Whitehalgh Farm. Here Chris said "Don't be alarmed"...

...and you all worry about my jokes! The guide said that on a clear day we would be able to see Black Combe in Cumbria; we could, in spite of the odd splattering of rain.

We completed the walk passing Horden Farm, through a housing estate and back across the canal bridge that we had gone under at the start of the walk. Oh we did stop for ice-creams in the housing estate.

Note: it must have been the first walk, for a long time, that we didn't see any herons; Chris was disappointed! Lots of Swans, ducks, moorhens, cows, calves, sheep lambs, llamas and a grebe; dogs with their owners or chained up and two cats (one very mangy)

technorati tags:witton, weavers, way, reelers, trail, Leeds, Liverpool, Canal

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Beamer's Route

I forgot to provide the URL for the Beamer's Trail route; it is: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=984474 enjoy!

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Beamers Trail or Witton Weavers Way Walk 1

I know this is a bit late but thinks have been busy workwise and Chris can't use her lunch break to do the blog anymore as it is now "blocked"

This was a lovely walk that begins in the picturesque Witton Country Park (about 480 acres of mixed woodland, parkland. and farmland surrounding what was (demolished) Witton House.

It was nice to see so many youngsters actively involved in sports; football and athletics in particular. The initial part of the walk took us behind the large wooden sports pavilion and through Big Cover Wood . Upon emerging from the woods we crossed fields keeping Higher Gardens Plantation on our right.

Billinge Wood, with squirrels, birds etc., came next and I then realised we had joined the Lancashire Trail just above the Clog and Billycock (see earlier Blog). Walking in the opposite direction, to that we did on the Lancashire Trail, brought back many memories including Chris's Onion Soup! More fields and woods eventually brought us to the River Darwen.

The Wooden Scout Hut, Lower Park Farm and eventually the footbridge and Ford...

Hoghton Tower should have been visible on the top of the craggs but too many trees these days! Went to look at it after the walk but only open July, August and September. We must try to remember to visit soon! Note: It was here James First is said to have knighted the lion of Beef - sirloin.

We departed from the Lancashire Trail at the bridge before Hoghton Bottoms (water powered mill site) and headed along side Pleasington Gold Course and onwards to Pleasington village past a very pleasant half timbered house...

...emerging at the Butlers Arms; again we resisted the temptation of entering! Pleasington Priory...

...was on our right; a gothic RC church.

Continuing along a sandy path we past Tongue Hill, with resident cows,...

...to emerge at playing fields and crossing Butler's Bridge over to the right.

The final stretch took us along the river bank passing ornate footbridge embelishments...

I particularly liked this one. About 6 miles this walk worth doing; there are some "moderate ascents and descents"! Brink on walk 2!

technorati tags:Beamers, Trail, Witton, Weavers, Way, Blackburn, Darwen, West, Pennine, Moors, Hoghton

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Jumbles Country Park to Hall i'th Wood

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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Worsley and the Bridgewater Canal

Although the noise of traffic was with us for much of this walk, especially from the M60(62), it was an attractive walk (Bank Holiday Monday), much of it along a wooded disused railway; Worsley has many fine buildings from the canal era, that could be seen as we neared the end of the walk along a section of the 'rusty' Bridgewater Canal (Started by James Brindley in 1759 to link the Duke of Bridgewater's coal mines at Worsley to Manchester).

The URL for this 5.0949 mile walk is: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=940643

technorati tags:Worsley, Bridgewater canal, Canal

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Lucy and Iain's Wedding

I'm sure if I was to write about this I would forget something! It was so nice to meet as a family at a 'happy event' and I was so glad that dad could attend as well. Apart from a long, uneventful drive down from Liverpool, where Chris kept reminding me that it wasn't the way she would have gone, the whole day was thoroughly enjoyable.

I've decided to use the digital photographs that I took (Mel took the one of Chris and I) and to make a video. This will show those of you who couldn't attend (B & M) a flavour of the day; some of the images are 'granular' as I avoided using flash indoors during the 'official bits!'

I hope you all enjoy the following as much as Chris and I enjoyed the day...

For those of you who wish to visit the original on YouTube go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHClqx2MJ-A

technorati tags:Lucy, Iain, Wedding, Video

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