Sunday, 20th March 2016
| Walk: | Hollinshead Hall (ruin), Roddlesworth Reservoirs, Rake Brook Reservoir, Abbey Village, Tockholes, Sunnyhurst Wood, Darwen Tower, Darwen Moor | ||
| Start Point: | Crookfield car park | Grid Reference: | SD 665 191 |
| Distance: | 12 miles | Ascent: | 1,900 feet |
| Time: | 5.75 hours | ||
| Weather: | Mainly sunny with a cold breeze in exposed areas | ||
| Comments: | Group walk when I was joined by 9 members. With a good dry spell in previous days the ground was reasonably dry and the sunny spells reinforced the fact that Spring is now here, today being the Spring Equinox | ||
Are we ready?
Crossing the River Roddlesworth . . .
to walk through the woodland
At Roddlesworth Reservoir work is being carried out . . .
to renew the chain that is connected to the boats usually anchored in the reservoir
Trees block the view of the bridge and its reflection . . .
but a closer vantage point gives a better view . . .
and again from the opposite side
Making our way past Rake Brook Reservoir . . .
we poise for a photo near the Hare & Hounds in Abbey Village
Another bridge takes us across a deep valley
A couple of miniature donkeys are moving home . . .
and this lamb is sporting the latest in rainwear - actually used to prevent hypothermia, the biggest killer of young lambs in the UK
Another pub - to walk past
Darwen Tower comes into view . . .
before the stony descent to Sunnyhurst Wood . . .
with its bandstand
Darwen Tower . . .
where the group enjoys lunch in the sun
Darwen from the trig point beside the Tower
Heading across Darwen Moor . . .
to cross one of the many stiles . . .
before joining Witton Weavers Way . . .
and enjoying a short break before returning to the cars