| Walk: | Skinners Syke, Sawley Grange, Rimington, Torrid Bank Wood, Downham, Warsaw End, Chatburn, Grindleton Bridge to Sawley via the Ribble Way | ||
| Start Point: | Car park at The Spread Eagle Sawley | Grid Reference: | SD 776 466 |
| Distance: | 10.7 miles | Ascent: | 1,100 feet |
| Time: | 5.5 hours | ||
| Weather: | Cold and frosty with no wind, sunny all day, very clear air | ||
| Comments: | Miraculously the horrendous weather
conditions of the previous week disappeared on the day in question
and 10 walkers were able to set out from the Spread Eagle in
glorious sunshine and gin clear air. A hard frost the previous night
also meant less mud underfoot (a perfect day for walking). Making our way up a track alongside Skinners Syke we had not been walking long before eagle eyed Robb spotted a herd of deer on the ridge at Dockber. After watching the deer for a while we carried on and soon reached the A59 at the top of Sawley brow to cross over to Sawley Grange. From here the route took us through farmland to Stankill Beck where a short stop for elevenses was taken before progressing on to Rimington. From Rimington a diverse route via Torrid Bank Wood took us to Downham. On the way we were treated to excellent views of Pendle hill to the South and the Yorkshire peaks of Ingleborough and Penyghent to the North with evidence of substantial snow cover on the more Northern hills. Lunch was taken at Downham but with the bench seats covered in shade and still covered in frost a flat topped wall in the car park sufficed as a table for this short stopover. From Downham we Contoured round Warsaw hill where 21 para-gliders were counted floating over Pendle hill to our left. After taking in the views of the Ribble valley we made our way down to Chatburn before descending further to join the River Ribble. A short walk took us to Grindleton bridge where we crossed over to take the Ribble way back to Sawley. A milestone was celebrated as we crossed the bridge, Kath having achieved her goal of walking 1,000 miles this year (well done Kath). On reaching Sawley, after a change of clothes it was into the warmth of the hotel for pre-meal drinks. Once again the food was excellent and rounded off a perfect days walking. Thanks again to the Spread Eagle staff for their friendly service and excellent food and as last year it was suggested that we return again in 2012 |
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Scroll down to see photos of the walk
The car park isn't too icy today . . .
as we prepare to set off . . .
after a couple of quick photos of the ruins of Sawley Abbey . . .
and its entrance archway . . .
with carved stone work
Eagle-eyed Robb spotted some deer on the hillside . . .
and Phil made full use of the zoom on his new camera . . .
as they made their way along the ridge
Crossing a stile onto the A59 . . .
then back into the fields . . .
The bridge over Dudland Syke
A Shetland pony comes to say 'Hello' . . .
before we take time out for a coffee stop
But it is soon time to move on . . .
to cross the bridge over Stankill Beck . . .
and on the opposite side three shadows feature in the photo
Ingleborough in the snow
An impressive property in Rimington
Betsy decides whether to jump or go for the Big Step . . .
while Jenny tackles the 'obstacle course'
Approaching Downham via Downham Beck
A few ducks enjoy the sun . . .
and Phil zooms in on a duck and drake . . .
with a closer photo of the drake
Downham
Improvisation at lunch time
Pendle Hill from Downham
Two of the . . .
twenty-one para-gliders over Pendle
Heading around Worsaw Hill with Pendle Hill in the background . . .
then a tricky descent on the frost covered side of the hill
Looks more like a summer's day than the middle of December
Joining the Ribble at Chatburn
The Ribble Way
Grindleton Bridge . . .
where Kath reaches her target of 1,000 miles walked this year
John inspects the erosion . . .
which is very much in evidence . . .
along this section
Not many people on the stepping stones today!
Sawley Bridge . . .
which we cross as the sun dips below the horizon
We gather for pre-dinner drinks . . .
before sitting down to another excellent meal
Goodbye to the Spread Eagle for another year