Midge Walkers

Walk  No. 109

Waddington Walk

This was a substitute walk for one around Glasson Dock and Cockerham, which when the reconnoitre was done, not only proved unsuitable, but on the day, the weather with wind and rain, combined to completely dampen our enthusiasm. In consequence, due to lack of time, a pre-walk of our alternative route was not undertaken, as it was one which had been done before.

With 5 adults assembling at the café in Waddington, we eventually set off at 11.40, turning right out of the car park and right again at the top of the road. The delay had allowed the rain to stop, and we followed the road in the general direction of the cement works which could be seen in the distance. Passing the Millstone Inn at West Bradford, we soon took a right turn, down a grass covered lane following a brook, eventually emerging into Mill St, lined with stone cottages and right into Clitheroe Rd.

Taking a left, through a kissing gate, we followed the river bank over a series of footbridges and along a muddy path emerging into open fields interlinked with gates and past a sewage works. A track at the side of some houses gave us access to Ribble Ave and Grindleton Brow, at the top of which a bench provided a convenient stop for lunch.

Suitably revived and continuing along the road we turned left at the Duke of York following signs for the Grindleton Heritage Trail along a route of terraces and stone cottages, in due course to turn left at Whitehall Lane which followed a downward route, which as ever was followed by a steep upward incline, ultimately arriving at a stile to the right. After crossing a series of muddy fields joined by stiles in a not very good state of repair, we followed a steep slope down to a river bank to where we were assured a bridge used to be. Wandering up and down and finding no trace of a crossing point we were forced to retrace our steps to the lane we had left a little earlier. Following the lane in a general downhill fashion, in due course, brought us to the main road where we turned right and returned via West Bradford to our starting point.

At various stages, light rain had accompanied our walk and coupled with the muddy fields combined to make going a bit difficult and some of our number had acquired wet socks along the way. Fortunately, the café at the car park was still open, so having shed our wet clothes, we were able to avail ourselves of further hot refreshment, which had a remarkable healing effect.

None of us had taken a means of measuring the distance walked, but different suggestions combined to estimate that it was certainly not less than 7 miles, but could have been considerably more due to the detours. Whatever the distance, it had resulted in a joint effort of exercise in the outdoors which we are always told does us good.