November Ramble – Stonyhurst And The Ribble Way
For the walk this month, we decided to explore the countryside at our own back door and venture into the beautiful landscape of the Ribble Valley.
The day didn’t start at all well, as we awoke to a black sky, thunder and lightning, torrential rain and hail. However, six hardy souls met at the car park at Hurst Green and headed out on a good path that took us along the pleasant Dean Brook and through Mill Wood to the camping barn at Greengore. Here we left the main path and climbed up through a field to a high point that gave excellent views down to the River Ribble. Now it was all downhill, through a very muddy farmyard and down a paved farm track to the Clitheroe road. After a short stretch of this road, we entered a field of sheep, one of which took fright and firmly buried its head in the wire netting. What followed was like a scene from the Wild West, with one of our party mounting the beast and trying to lever it out with others pulling at its head. If only we had had a camera! Eventually, she was extracted and went to join her chums.
At the bottom of this field, we crossed a footbridge and joined the Ribble Way. This took us steadily down to the river and it was decided that the footbridge at Dinckley would make a good lunch stop. The weather had steadily improved and by now was absolutely beautiful.
On our way again, we had to decide whether to take the path back to the Shireburn Arms or to continue along the river to, in fact, double the length of the walk. The democratic process resulted in a long walk and very enjoyable it was. We walked upstream, passing in turn the confluence of the River Calder and later, followed the River Hodder.
Leaving the river, we next had to cross a soggy field which led us again to the Clitheroe road, followed by a minor lane that eventually took us to Stonyhurst School.
Our route required us to cross the playing fields, but a very muddy game of Rugby was underway, so we had to take a detour to the final leg back to Hurst Green.
In total, this walk was just short of ten miles, but the paths were mostly quite easy. Despite a disappointing start, everything came together to give us an enjoyable day out. We like variety, but we don’t always throw in a rodeo!
Linda & Eddie Grange