Midge Walkers

Walk  No. 120

River Brock Walk

Meeting at The Barton Grange Garden Centre, we set off down the A6 back towards Preston 10.55 am. We were a small group of 6 walkers which in the main was due to holidays, illness, heat and also the thought of walking the 7 miles promised by our leader. After a short distance, we crossed the railway line by means of a footbridge and descended to the site of the old Brock Station. All the buildings had been cleared and the area landscaped for the use of a local School for outdoor classrooms.

After a short stop, we went under the motorway bridge and followed the River Brock. It was a pleasant walk through well shaded woodland paths and we were assisted by a lovely cooling breeze. It was deemed to be responsible to have frequent water stops and we eventually arrived at Walmsley Bridge which we crossed and continued to follow the river on the opposite bank. We encountered a field full of cows but probably due to the heat, were not interested in us

Lunch was taken sat on a huge fallen tree trunk where we were able to talk to the many passers by. Upon setting off again, we shortly turned off to follow a steep incline through woodland. This was, according to the map, called Nancy’s Breast. A short break was taken before crossing a field coming out onto a road where we met a very nice group of teenagers on a walk for their Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award.

We turned off the road at High House Farm and quickly came to a high point where we were able to see the entire Fylde Coast. Turning to the left, we were also able to see the sad sight of Winter Hill which was clearly still ablaze with huge billows of smoke spiraling into the sky.

We continued until we came back onto a road crossing yet another broken style and back to Walmsley Bridge. Unlike our previous visit earlier in the day, this area was now busy with families picnicking, paddling and even swimming in one place. We retraced our steps arriving back at Barton Grange at 4.00 pm after a very pleasant, but warm walk along the Brock Valley. Our grateful thanks go to Gladys Smith for providing this walk and our thoughts were with both Gladys and Olive (Bill) as we were able to admire the wonderful views of the Fylde and Wyre Coast

Thank you Rodney for another great walk and for getting me away from the T.V. and watching the World Cup Football, at least for one game anyway