Given a history of gall stones I was quite convinced the seasonal over-indulgence had got the better of me, but the doctor, whom I visited this morning, reckons it's a musculoskeletal problem. I hae ma doots. If the doc had looked less like he was due to sit his Highers this summer I might have had more confidence. Still we shall see what transpires.
Before I was laid low, we had a pleasant sojourn in Lancashire in my ahem second home, so being bored with having to sit about indoors, I've put together a few photos to give you a wee impression of the area and an idea of some of the walking we did.
First of all our location in Hoddlesden (Blackburn is just off the map, to the north of the motorway):
And the hoose:
On New Year's Day we did a walk, very popular with the locals, up to Darwen Tower (or the Jubilee Tower to give it its posh name). There was a little snow lying in Hoddlesden (650 feet asl) and around the Tower (1200 feet) but the ascent was perilous with ice everywhere.
Trig point at the Tower (looking north beyond Blackburn to Longridge Fell:
Looking east from Tower towards Darwen. Hoddlesden is hidden in the valley behind the long line of trees (Roman Road) in the middle distance.
Looking north to Darwen Tower
It snowed heavily on the morning of January 2 and with driving not being an option we decided to walk into Darwen from Hoddlesden. The main street in Hoddlesden was really only negotiable in a 4x4.Walking in the snow was pleasant but as we descended into Darwen the snow became slush and it was all quite horrible. We decided to head up the other side of the Darwen valley towards, (but not as far as) the Tower and we soon found better snow conditions.
The ducks in Bold Venture Park were clearly anticipating a bread opportunity as we approached the pond.
From the park we followed a path above the town in the direction of Whitehall. This path affords a fine view of Darwen's other landmark - India Mill chimney, at 303 feet high it's a haunt of peregrine falcons.
We then headed back across the valley towards Hoddlesden. This shot of the Tower was taken approaching the Roman Road which runs along the crest separating the Darwen and Hoddlesden valleys. Between the camera and the Tower lies Darwen!
Pendle Hill (1700 feet) from the road into Hoddlesden.
Harwood Farm, Hoddlesden.January 3 was fine day. Largely blue skies, but with a period of snow around lunchtime. We had planned to walk east to Belthorn but this walk had to be aborted. In Early Ooter style we were adopted by a dog at Pickup Bank. The dog seemed to be a hunting dog since it spent the whole time it was with us sniffing the terrain for all it was worth. The snow cover had clearly disorientated the poor lost mutt and it simply tagged along with us. Having climbed to the top of Pickup Bank we decided we couldn't really take it further away from where we had picked it up; so we doubled back. As luck would have it, a couple with a dog were making their way along another track. Our mutt spotted them and abandoned us. Amidst a lot of growling and shouting we hurriedly left the scene.
We decided to do a loop from Pickup Bank to Waterside and then up to the Roman Road and home.Pickup Bank is a fascinating place, riddled with tracks leading to ancient hamlets, or "Folds" as they are known in the area.
A view of part of Pickup Bank from the house.
At one time Waterside had a large cotton mill. The mill lodge remains and is a popular fishing location and there is plenty of birdlife to be seen on the water (or ice on this occasion). Seldom have I seen such miserable looking birds as they s
at forlornly on the ice. One Muscovy Duck had abandoned the water and was perched on the handrail of a bridge totally oblivious to us. It appeared to have entered some kind of suspended animation.Belt
horn on the skyline with Waterside below.All offers for the house will be given serious consideration!.
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