19/01/2025 Coach - Kirkby Lonsdale

 

January

8:00 Start with 16:30 return

Please Note: There will be no local walk today as this has been replaced by the coach outing.

A Walk – Middleton Fell with Dave Colbert
11¾ Miles / 19km with 2,500ft / 765m Total Ascent

Middleton Fell is a bit of an oddity; wedged between the Lune Valley and the deep-cut trench of Barbondale, it lies within the Yorkshire Dales National Park yet geologically is an eastward extension of the Silurian slate landscape of the South Lakes.  For many years Calf Top, the highest point, was thought to be just shy of 2,000 feet, but recent surveys have shown it to be 2,000 feet exactly!  Unfortunately, access points are quite limited, so how best to tackle it from the south?

We start from Hodge Bridge on the A683 and walk through the village of Barbon to the church before crossing Barbon Beck.  The climbing starts from Eskholme up an increasingly well-defined, curving ridge to the summit of Castle Knott (538m/1,765ft), beyond which lies Calf Top (610m/2,000ft) and its Trig Point.  Unfortunately, the eastern and southern flanks of Middleton Fell are extremely steep, so we will retrace our steps over Castle Knott and back to Barbon before heading to Kirkby Lonsdale by way of Fellfoot Road (a track) and High Casterton.

If weather conditions are poor (heavy rain/snow and/or strong winds) we will do a longer version of the B+, starting from Casterton.  This is about the same length but with just over 150 meters / 500 feet less climbing.

B+ Walk – Barbon Low Fell with Sue Banister
9 Miles / 14.5km with 1,345ft / 410m Total Ascent

We leave the coach a few miles north of Kirby Lonsdale on the A683 at Hodge Bridge then head east through Barbon village and into the grounds of Barbon Manor to access Barbondale.  After crossing the beck at Blindbeck Bridge we head south on a bridleway to Bullpot Farm.
This is home to the Red Rose Caving and Pot Holing Club and you are standing over the longest caving system in Britain known as the Three Counties system. You can go underground in Yorkshire, pass under Lancashire, and emerge in Cumbria!

From Bullpot we have a short stretch of lane before heading up the fell to the trig point and highest point of Barbon Low Fell at 1437ft (438m). 
We then cross to the cairn on Brownthwaite Pike 1382ft (421m) after which its downhill back to Kirby via Blindloss Farm, Cragg House Farm, and Latha Lane. 

B Walk – The Limestone Stacks of Uberash Breast with Stuart Arnold
8 Miles / 12.9km with 700ft / 213m Total Ascent

This is a linear walk which will start as we leave the bus after exiting the motorway at Junction 36.  We will join the canal and follow it South for about 1½ miles. We then cross the A6070 and at Holme Park Farm we join a path which takes us round the base of Holmepark Fell. This then leads across Uberash Plain to pass Keller well and round Hutton Roof Crags into the village of Hutton Roof.
Following field paths we pass Longfield Barn, Biggins Home Farm, High Biggins and Wood End eventually reaching Kirby Lonsdale and the end of another excellent walk.

C Walk – A walk around Casterton with Dorothy Dobson

6 Miles / 9.7km with Little climbing

Starting from Devil’s Bridge (Toilets 50p card only) we cross over A683 to walk up Laithe Lane, passing the caravan park and golf course. We then go across the main road again to join a footpath over the fields to Casterton . 

Depending on the weather I may take an alternative route at this point.

However this is the way I reccied it, so, on reaching the church we branch left along a lane and under a disused railway bridge to Langthwaite.

From here we take a field path which skirts the bottom of Leck Fell, then back on the road we pass Fell Yeat Farm before going along the lanes to Devil’s Bridge and into the town.

15/01/2025 Stroller - January Meal

 

January

12 noon Start

Stroller January Meal at The Horns Inn
Strollers New Year gathering and social get together.

Meet at The Horns Inn, The Avenue, Chuchtown , Preston (Sat Nav: PR3 0HR).

12 noon start ( apparently, they can only do group bookings for a noon sitting).

09/01/2025 Thursday Car - Catforth

 

January

Start 10:30am

Catforth with Chris Airey
6½ Miles / 10.5km with mainly lanes and fields flat walking.

Meet opposite Crown lane in Rosemary lane (cul de sac),  (Sat Nav: PR4 0HB), ready for the usual start time 10:30am.

No details available.

06/01/2025 Committee Meeting

 

January

Start time:7:00pm Finish 9:00pm

Committee meetings are held on Mondays.
Start at 7:00pm and finish at 9:00pm.

All members are welcome.

We meet at the Over 60s Club, Priory Lane, Penwortham, Preston PR1 0AR.

12/12/2024 Thursday Car - A walk around the Brinscall area.

 

Start: 10:30am

Brinscall with Chris Cook
6 Miles / 9.7km Undulating.

Meet at Brinscall Baths (Sat Nav: PR6 8QU), ready for the usual start time 10:30am.

From the baths we climb up Well Road then bear left heading for Solomon's Temple. Over Withnall Moor to the stepping stones. Then crossing the A675 carrying on to the fisherman's hut by the reservoir. Taking the track to the Hare and Hounds, through Abbey Village to the disused railway track and back to Brinscall.

HAPPY DAYS.

08/12/2024 Coach - Windermere & Ambleside (Lake District)

 

8:00 start with 16:30 return

A Walk – Ings to Ambleside via Troutbeck with John Parkinson
9.9Miles / 15.3km with 2448ft / 746m Total Ascent

This linear walk starts in the small village of Ings on the A591 to Windermere from where we head towards the hamlet of Grassgarth.
Crossing fields to High House and over Mickle Moss, we skirt Sallows to reach Garburn Nook where we start the descent into Troutbeck passing Limefitt Holiday Park and crossing Trout Beck from which the village takes its name.
Behind the picturesque local church we take the path towards Nanny Lane and the climb to Wansfell Pike. From the Pike we start the long and steep descent into Ambleside and the Christmas attractions that await.

B+ Walk – Orrest Head to Wansfell with Val Walmsley

9 Miles / 15km with 1,150ft / 350.5m Total Ascent

From Windermere short uphill to Orrest Head.
Proceed north to Near Orrest, Far Orrest to Causeway Farm & join Longmire Road to Limefitt Park.
From Troutbeck turn north west up Nanny Lane towards Wansfell. Leave path & head southerly to Hundreds Road which leads to Robin Lane & continue through Skelghyll Wood to reach Ambleside before dark.

B Walk – Ambleside with Barbara & Alan Gillbert

8 Miles / 12.87km with 800ft / 243m Total Ascent

The Loughrigg circular walk taking in the river Rothay, Rydal Water, Loughrigg Terrace with views over Grasmere.

Starting just behind St Mary's Church crossing the arched bridge over the river Rothay.

The walk continues with views of the Fairfield Horseshoe.

Continuing up a rough track past a National Trust Car Park.

Some of the paths are quite rocky so care is needed to eventually arrive at Loughrigg  Terrace continuing along the terrace to reach a minor road. Passing some cottages with a view of Loughrigg Tarn towards the Langdale Pikes. The path then climbs uphill and then plateaus before following the main path down hill into Ambleside with enough time for refreshments.

C Walk – Ambling in the Lakes with Joe Brennand

5½ Miles / 8.9km with 500ft / 152m Total Ascent

We will get of the coach at Windermere (Toilets at Lakeland/Booths).
From here we will ascend towards Orrest head then take a lower track to go round Orrest head heading to Old Elleray. We now take a track through High Hay wood to Cosses farm, then onto Far Orrest north and to Thickholme Bridge.
From here we go onto Longmire west to Town End across to pick up Skelghyll lane, then to High Skelghyll to find the path through Skelghyll wood that leads to Waterhead then on to tea coffee and cake in Ambleside.

04/12/2024 Stroller Christmas Lunch

 

Arrive 12:15pm for 12:30pm

Christmas Meal Only (No walk this month).
Held at the Rose and Crown, Ulnes Walton.

Meet : at the Rose and Crown, 220 Southport Road, Ulnes Walton, PR26 8LP.

A £10 non refundable deposit is required.
Below is the Rose & Crown menu for the day, please let Barry know your choices by the November Stroller walk (20th November - Mere Sands Wood).

Menu 

To Start

Fire Roasted Tomato & Red Pepper Soup. v £8.50
(with a basil crisp, focaccia & confit garlic butter).

Panko Brie. v £8.95
(red onion marmalade, roquette & blood orange vinaigrette).

Smoked Haddock Chowder. £9.50
(chicken velouté, poached hen's egg & crusty cob).

Confit Lamb Pancakes. £9.00
(pickled vegetables, honey & soy dressing and sesame seeds).

Crispy Chicken Salad. £8.95
(chicken thighs with sweet & sour dressing, vermicelli, vegetables & sticky peanuts).

Chestnut & Sage Arancini. v £8.50
(cranberry compote & endive salad).

Main

Roast Lancashire Turkey £18.95
(pigs in blankets, cranberry & chestnut stuffing, roast potatoes, pan gravy & seasonal vegetables).

Confit Lamb Risotto. £19.50
(roasted vegetables & pancetta, chicken stock, fresh herbs).

Brisket Beef Bourguignon. £18.95
(brisket of beef, pancetta lardons, chestnut mushrooms, braised in a rich red wine & rosemary stock, topped with beef suet dumplings & caramelised silverskin onions).

Pan-Roasted Hake. £22.95
(Lancashire cheese & chive potato cake, creamed leeks, garlic & dill sauce, savoy cabbage).

South Indian Style Curry. v £16.95
(tomato based curry with Bombay potatoes, basmati rice & Naan bread).

Local Pork Chop. £18.95
(Bury black pudding & Mrs Kirkham's Lancashire cheese, creamed potatoes, barley & cabbage risotto, pork jus).

Dessert

Christmas Pudding. £8.95
(simply served with brandy sauce).

Clementine Posset. £8.95
(with citrus shortbread, crushed lemon & almond brittle).

All dishes are complete.
Vegan options & Gluten free alternatives are available on request.

Note - not all ingredients are listed on the menu. If you have any allergies or queries,
then please speak to a member of staff before your order is taken. 

24/11/2024 Sunday Car - Wyre Lakes to Dolphinholme

 

Wyre Lakes to Dolphinholme with Katie Clenshaw
6 Miles / 9.7km with 360ft / 110m Total Ascent

Meet at Scorton Picnic Site near Scorton (Sat Nav: PR3 1BU), ready for the usual start time 10:30am.

From Scorton Picnic Site we cross the bridge over the river Wyre, then follow the Wyre Way northwards. At first we walk through woodland next to the Wyre, then under the motorway and past Wyreside Lakes caravan park and fishing lakes (Sunnyside on the map) to Street Bridge.  We continue past Coreless Mill to Dolphinholme where we may climb up to the church for lunch.  Returning to the river, we cross the bridge at Dolphinholme and take a path southeast across fields to Wagon Road, where we continue southwest towards Street. Here we take the footpath which heads below Street Farm, eventually reaching Foxhouses Farm Cottages.  Parts of this section were muddy but passable on the reccie. We continue along the farm lane until we reach the road where we turn right to head back to the car park.

Alternatively, we could continue to the Applestore for a cup of tea, which adds about just under 2 miles to the walk.

20/11/2024 Stroller - Mere Sands Wood Nature Reserve, Rufford

 

Start: 10:30am

Mere Sands Wood with Trudy & Barbara
2 to 3 miles with Little Climbing

Each Mid-Week Stroller walk has a destination providing a walk and venue for drinks / snacks or meal and starts at 10:30am

Meet at the Hesketh Arms car park ( toilets available) 81 Liverpool road, Rufford (Sat Nav: L40 1SB), then afterwards at Hesketh Arms.

We make our way to mere sands wood via roads and tracks round the wood and back, level walking with no stiles. Lunch at the Hesketh arms.

14/11/2024 Thursday Car - A walk around the Brinscall area.

 

Start: 10:30am

Brinscall with Dorothy Dobson

6 Miles / 9.7km Undulating (it will be a bit slower than a ‘B’ I’m afraid).

Meet at the far end of Lodge Bank (It is easier to park in front of the houses) (Sat Nav: PR6 8QU), ready for the usual start time 10:30am.

We pass Brinscall Hall, then carry on through fields to Heapey passing the fishing lakes before arriving at White Coppice, a lovely village with a cricket field.

We then walk the length of The Goyt, a wooded path by a stream to take us back to Brinscall.