| February 2012 |
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Sunday 19th Graham reports Beginners Bird Watching No 49 Croston Finney & Rufford. Cool Blue Sky and Sunny 15 Members and 1 Guest met at Croston Finney on Moss Lane, a tract of arable land just to the south west of the village of Croston. Before setting off the setting up of binoculars as always were performed but interrupted by a Common Buzzard flying overhead being mobbed by a Carrion Crow.The party then set off walking in a big square using the many access tracks. First was Cottage Lane and crossed the Railway. Then Green Lane. Finney Lane. Shepherds Lane then had a break in a wood after re-crossing the Railway. Returned via a path then High lane and eventually back along Moss Lane. At one point a Barn Owl was observed hunting across open land. Most of the party then drove in convoy to Rufford and parking at the Railway Station then walking along the embankment of the River Douglas and soon saw a Short Eared Owl flying around the rough field systems. Three birds have been seen here over the last few months so the leader was pre-warned of their existence. The party then retired to The Hesketh Arms Rufford for a well deserved drink and a bit of warmeth. 34 Species of Bird was observed or heard over the afternoon. |
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Saturday 18th Roy Reports on Wainwright Chapter 49 walk Perhaps due to the Saturday slot and the fact that it was raining only 4 of us went on the Lake District Walk at Haweswater. We all rendezvoused at the Swallow Hotel to car share and the journey up the M6 was very wet but blue skies soon appeared ahead and when we reached Shap the sun was out! There was a long worrying drive up the reservoir road after passing a “Road Closed” sign but with relief we squeezed past road works and then a landslide to arrive safely at the car park. We set off walking optimistically in beautiful conditions taking many a snap. The scramble up Rough Crag was very challenging as soft hail showers began to blow in on the strengthening wind. It was difficult to find anywhere sheltered for lunch due to the gusts coming from all directions so we had to compromise with a grassy hollow on Riggindale Crag. Then it was quickly up onto the summit plateau and across to the trig pillar on High Street. Here the wind was an icy gale which we had to endure all the way along the ridge to High Raise and Kidsty Pike. However, there were some super views with the dark rocks dusted with white giving a copper engraved look to everything. There was no respite from the gale until we started to descend into Riggindale with more hard scrambling at the end. So by the time we finished we were all exhausted by the 8½ miles of battling the rocks and winds and glad to reach the conviviality of the Greyhound Inn at Shap. |
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Sunday 12th Peter reports 6 members met in the car park at Glencoyne after a misty drive. The weather was cloudy but not cold. The walk started alongside the shore on a permissive path until we reached point where path started to ascend through Glencoyne wood. the path became steeper and steeper with many fallen trees making it necessary to detour round them. This slowed our progress somewhat. Eventually passing through a gap in the wall we ascended Glenridding Dodd where we had good views over the lake to Place Fell and had an early lunch snack before descending to the ridge and began our ascent of Heron Pike. Here it levelled out somewhat but with low cloud drifting in adding to the difficulties of crossing the area of deepening snow drifts. Here we finished having lunch before setting off once again towards Sheffield Pike as the visibility cleared again and we had a good views as we arrived at Sheffield Pike. It had taken us much longer than planned to reach this point so the descision was taken to shorten the route by taking the alternative path down into the valley. The top section was once again through deep snow drifts before changing to icy stretches. Eventually we left the worst behind us as we headed down to the cottages of Seldom Seen, a row of old miners cottages. Then taking an alternative path through the farm at Glencoyne. It was then just a short trip down the lane to the road and back to the cars. We then all retired to the White Loin at Patterdale for refreshments. The journey back home the dark was lengthened by the persistent fog!! Harry reports the walk was started in fine but misty weather. The track towards Cleatop park was quite Icy and care was needed to avoid mishaps, also the field wall stiles were very slippy with ice. A pleasant gradual climb was made through Cleatop park wood where we had a short stop. After another icy wall stile we were in thick mist due to which we went somewhat off the intended route and had a steep climb to Lodge House to get back on course. After a stop for lunch we found the tracks and fields very difficult due to the snow and ice which resulted in slow progress and a decision to shorten the walk by cutting out the Attermire Scar section and taking the direct route back along by Warrendale Knots, great care was needed on the steep descent to the track between Langcliffe and Settle which was also very icy. The Royal Oak was a welcome sight on our return to Settle and a well deserved rest and refreshments were enjoyed there. |
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Sunday 5th Jane reports River Lune/Halton/Caton This walk was planned with winter weather in mind so it was no surprise that areas of Lancashire and the rest of the country had heavy snowfall the day before. Sunday presented us with fog but Lancaster had remained free of the snow. 9 people were keen to venture out on the day. Due to a new eco-housing project in the vicinity of the parking area the footpath we should have taken at first was closed. We were able to use the cycle/footpath on the other side of the river instead. This was all very flat and level and gave us some views of the river and the woodland that surrounds the path. The path brought us to the Crook’O’Lune picnic site where we took a break. At this point we were able to follow the planned route which took us through more woods with some groups of snowdrops in flower. Some of the path was a little muddy which had to be expected after the previous day’s rainfall. Crossing over the waterboard bridge which carries water from Thirlmere to Manchester we followed the river a little further on to our next stop another snack bar and facilities. This car park also had picnic tables to sit and eat our lunch. After lunch we were back on the cycle/footpath a level non-muddy walk which joins the riverside again and took us back to Halton and the cars. After lunch the fog had lifted a little so gave us a slightly clearer view. Disappointingly on a clear day you can see along the Lune Valley and Ingleborough. After the walk we went along to The Greyhound pub where it was lovely and warm and cheery. |
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Saturday 4th Johns Nice ice’s walk 14 wonderful brave people arrived at the Bay Horse for the 11am start. The forecast for the day was very cold with snow!!!! I thought we would get away without snow till at least 12.30pm how wrong I was. As soon as we set of it started to snow. But fortune shone on us, because it was only light and did not last. We set of making our way through Aldington, down to the Leeds to Liverpool canal in freezing cold elements. The walk along the canal was a breeze (it was behind us) evan the ducks thought it was cold they were walking on ice! We arrived at Fredrick’s at 12.30 where the walkers escaped the cold and snow for ice cream and coffees!! After we finished we made our way over to Anglezark reservoir. Then over to the street, cutting across frozen fields to arrive at the very warm homely feeling at the Bay Horse. Thanks to all who attended and Janet at the Bay Horse for opening up for us to use the toilets |
Last Updated 20 Feb 2012 10:09