Entwistle, Wayho and Jumbles Reservoirs

Turton and Entwistle Reservoir is a favourite spot. The top end in particular is stunning. On a quiet morning or evening you could imagine being in the wilds of Scotland.

Until a couple of weeks ago we had only extended the reservoir walk up on to the moors, rather than following the more usual walk which joins up Entwistle with the adjacent Wayho and Jumbles Reservoirs.

Route finding wasn't hard. Although we did have our trusted Viewranger maps on the iPhone they weren't really needed. A decent look at a map beforehand and a few mental notes would see you through.

Entwistle still remains my favourite. Wayho was nice, but a little less wild. If you visit make sure you spend some time (in early summer) admiring the rare wild meadows. Jumbles was also nice, but very very busy.

All in all it was probably 10 miles or so to loop the 3. All easy going.

Gardening Leave

It's been a busy few months. We have got some great walks done but much of the time at weekends has been spent doing a spot of garden redesign.

The dog loves the garden, particularly when the beds are muddy (I didn't managed to train him to stay off) and the kitchen floor has just been cleaned.

It wasn't the intention that he had his own seat, it was for me and my lovely wife, but who cares what we think!

Gregson Lane Ramble

I never like travelling far at Easter. Why spend hours in traffic trying to get to places that will be unbearably busy when you arrive? With that in mind we walked a new route (for us) yesterday, starting and ending at Gregson Lane.

The route took us from the Community Centre up towards Brindle, through farmland and past the impressive Brindle Lodge, before crossing Beeston Brook and heading out to Roach Bridge. The return was a little more direct.

The route was pretty easy underfoot and although there were plenty of stiles none were too much trouble for the dog, with a little help.

This and a number of other rambles and health walks can be downloaded from the South Ribble BC website

We have created a map of the route we took here http://my.viewranger.com/route/details/ODg1Ng==?c=1333833121523&d=Dave+Carr++is+sharing+a+route+from+%40ViewRanger.

As the walk starts and finishes at the park in Gregson Lane there is every chance of a game of fetch. Although we didn't see much livestock, most of the fields were crossed were ploughed so the dog was mainly on the lead.

Variety is the spice of life

I like March. I tend to first notice around mid February that morning walks are no longer in pitch dark. By March spring seems well and truly on the way. Everywhere you go, things are coming to life. Birds sing in the early morning, you notice when the first solitary daffodils are ready to burst open and places that are the sole domain of dog walkers for the winter months start to fill with people enjoying the first signs of spring.

This month saw our first trip to the Wirral. After a good lunch in Raby we spent a few hours enjoying the hazy sunshine on the beach at West Kirby, a dog owners Mecca if ever we saw one.
It certainly won't be our last trip.

Preston's most recent cultural attraction, the Global Rainbow, also provided an evening walk with a difference. Preston Docks was, for a few nights a least, transformed into a wonderful setting for an amazing display of rainbow coloured lasers streaking across the sky.

Finally, the warmer weather meant we could relatively easily and safely ascend the Lakeland peaks once more. We had a great but misty walk up the Langdale Pikes on an increasingly rare chance of a last minute day off.

Summer is on the way!

Ice, ice and more ice, around Tockholes and Great Hill

There are some places you just return to time and time again, never tiring of them, appreciating the subtle changes that nature makes to your surroundings on each visit.

Today didn't quite fit that mold. Nature chose to unleash some of the toughest conditions underfoot that I have ever encountered, despite dozens of walks on the same route. Subtle didn't come in to it. Brutal, challenging, dangerous and slightly scary all featured at some point. Happily though, it was all worthwhile.

Our route began as is usual at the Country Cafe at Tockholes (teacake and pot of tea recommended this week). Unusually though, the car park, which was covered in sheet ice, set the tone for today's walk.

It must have taken a good 45 minutes to cover our first mile through the woods, treading carefully to avoid the icy main path en route to the stream that flows down to the reservoirs. Even the dog was sensible enough not to paddle today, knowing that he would live to regret it as we walked onwards towards the main road and over the the path up Great Hill.

Our walk up Great Hill was lonely, with swirling mist and frozen bog underfoot, but wonderful all the same. The highlight of the day was a good 15 minutes at the summit shelter eating pasty and bagels, having not seen a soul for a couple of hours.

Making the most of the daylight hours we took a circuitous route back through the woods where the ice had not really melted at all during our absence. Once again every step was carefully though out to avoid a painful fall before returning very wet, tired, but happy, to the car. If I took one lesson from today it was to invest in some ice grippers. To be honest, crampons wouldn't have been out of place in parts.

My second lesson was that close to home is good in bad weather. if it was this bad close to home then heaven knows what it would have been like if I'd fulfilled my original plans for the day, to walk round Rydal and perhaps a trip up Loughrigg.

All in all a fantastic day. One for the memory chest that will stay forever. Whilst nature might not have been subtle, it was great to see Tockholes and Great Hill in a new, albeit ruthless, light!

Parlick, Fairsnape and Saddle Fell

The Forest of Bowland is a confusing place for dog walkers. Some parts of the fells are completely off limits to dogs, even on leads, whilst others welcome dogs and their owners provided of course they follow the rules which apply to that area of Access Land.

Our last visit to Parlick was New Years Day 2009. On that icy cold day I was somewhat frustrated that such a large area of land was off limits to me and my dog, including the summit of Fairsnape. Largely because of that, and the slightly longer journey time, we tend to visit the West Pennines instead.

One of our fellow tweeters, Mark Sutcliffe from Lakeland Walker Magazine (www.lakeland-walker.com) recommended a return visit a few weeks ago. We had planned to go the following day but atrocious weather resulted in a postponement, until today.

After dropping my better half at work we drove through Chipping to the parking spaces at Fell Foot, just below Parlick. The weather wasn't too bad so we enjoyed some fine views over towards the coast as we rose steeply to the boundary fence which divides the Wolf Fell and Fairsnape Access Areas. Dogs are not allowed to cross the boundary so, keeping to the east side, we followed the path towards the summit of Fairsnape.

Unfortunately our fine views were soon lost to swirling mist but undeterred we continued upwards, through assorted snowdrifts and peat bogs, until we reached the point where the boundaries of Fairsnape, Wolf Fell and Brown Berry Plain meet.

From here we began our descent across the peat before joining a good path that led across to Saddle Fell, yet another area of Access Land where although dogs are allowed, they must be on the lead between March and December. Below the cloud, we enjoyed fine views once again, marvelling at the variety of landscapes, plantations, small lakes and farmland, carved out of the hillside below us.

On reaching Saddle End Farm we struggled over numerous awkward stiles and mud baths towards Wolfen Hall where we we greeted by a friendly farmer who thanked us for having the dog on a lead.

On the final stretch I reflected on my previous attitude to the dog ban on Fairsnape. Throughout our route we encountered many pheasants and the estate is very clearly focused on shooting. Whilst shooting has never appealed to me I can see that rampaging dogs are a threat to nesting birds. Personally though, I still think that a complete ban is unnecessary. With a dogs on leads policy I'd like to think that dog owners and the shooting fraternity could both enjoy what is a wonderful part of Lancashire. I'm greatf for the more tolerant approach taken in the areas we walked today.

It can be a bit tricky to navigate the Natural England website to get up to date Access maps showing the various restrictions on dogs so I included a photo below.

All in all a good walk in a great part of Lancashire. I mustn't leave it so long before we return again.

More snow on Darwen Moor

One of today's better decisions was to not go out early, despite being awake at 5.30am. Much of the morning was spent listening to the rattle of hail and sleet against the windows before finally, sunshine and blue sky emerged from the grey.

There was no great thought needed to decide where to go today. A simple repeat of yesterday's walk on Darwen Moor and Roddlesworth. The only difference being that we began with the woods, there was even more snow and of course that we weren't caught in a blizzard.

Another good day!

A winter walk on Darwen Moor

There's nothing better than being out on the moors with the dog after a fresh snowfall. Especially if we're up an out early, with ours the first foot and paw prints of the day.

Yesterday saw the first snowfall of any significance to hit Lancashire this year and although nothing had really settled in Preston I knew we'd stand a good chance of a snowy walk on the West Pennine Moors.

It was just turning light when we arrived at our usual parking spot, the United Utilities car park between Abbey Village and Belmont, by the turn to Tockholes.

Our walk followed one of our regular routes up on to Darwen Moor where small streams of icy meltwater carved their way down the bridleway. On reaching the top we headed towards Darwen Tower, although low cloud initially any chance of a view. the dog was well happy chasing snowballs, wrapped up in the waterproof jacket that is reserved solely for days like today (particularly has he had a very short clip last week!)

As we neared the Tower the clouds lifted, giving fine views to the east and revealing a band of 'blackness' moving slowly over Preston. Unsure whether we were in for torrential rain or heavy snow we continued along the ridge before starting the descent down Lyons Den to Roddlesworth. Within five minutes we were in blizzard conditions but sure of our route and relatively close to the road there was still time for a photo opportunity!

By the time we reached the woods the snow had passed and we were soon back at the car, refreshed and very satisfied with our first snowy walk of the season.

White Coppice, Healey Nab and the Reservoirs at Heapey

The weather is foul today. Cold and raining with the occasional hail storm thrown in. Just the day for an early morning walk around some of our favourite footpaths!

We parked up at the picturesque village of White Coppice and after the dogs usual photo opportunity by the cricket pavilion we took the bridleway towards Anglezarke, quickly reaching the dam.

Turning right along the road for a short distance we took the stepped path leading up from the reservoir, signed to Healey Nab. The word muddy doesn't adequately describe this stretch. Even the dog, who normally likes a muddy puddle, was unimpressed!

Reaching the higher ground on the top of Healey Nab we watched sheets of rain and hail moving slowly across Preston and Chorley, eventually obliterating any view we may have had. I counted us lucky though that we had any views at all from the summit cairn.

We descended through the woods, which can be busy with mountain bikers, towards Heapey. The dog was on lead here in parts as there are some steep drops in to the old quarry workings.

Finally, we joined the path adjoining the reservoirs where we endured numerous hailstorms and stalking cattle.

Despite the weather, a lovely walk!