Monday, February 01, 2010

Saturday’s Outing

Another fine Saturday morning, must be one of the best winters ever for clear blue skies and lots of sunshine.  The runners setting out from Belmont were NLN, TF, JtE, Nic’O and NR (New Ray).  This week starting at Black Dog, Belmont (BD) in cold icy conditions but gloriously sunny skies. 

  Darwen (1 of 11)

Parish church at Belmont positively glowing in the early morning sunshine as we set off on the Amble route with Nic’O and Raife (is that how you spell it or is it Ralph?) setting a blistering pace.  (Don’t wait for me on the day Nic’O).

Darwen (2 of 11)

Looking back across the valley to the church looking rather more austere from here.  TF, saving herself for the following day’s Pennine Bridleway made her way back from here.

 Darwen (3 of 11) 

A pincer manoeuvre to suss out the best way across the reed bed – conclusion… there isn’t one, and it’ll be every man for himself on the day!

Darwen (5 of 11)

Entwistle Reser at its best with NR, JtE, Raife and Nic’O crossing the dam(n) wall below.

 

 

Darwen (6 of 11)

To keep the waterside views we took the ‘Old Amble’ route back along the Reser to the Blackburn road where NR turned for home.  JtE being a purist wasn’t so keen on the heron, but I think he’s a bit of hoot. 

Votes for and against?

 

Darwen (7 of 11)

…and then it was the long haul up to the path off to the TofTs on which Nic’O and JtE can be seen below

 

 Darwen (9 of 11)

It’s that man again waving to camera!

Darwen (10 of 11)

The view from the top (below) -  how pleasing

Darwen (11 of 11)

Ice was the order of the day and despite the amazing skies the temperature never felt above freezing making for pretty careful footwork all the way round.  Well that’s what we told ourselves when we looked at the timings. 

Darwen (8 of 11)

Looking across at Great Hill – our next port of call, from a very icy path above Catherine’s Edge.  From Great Hill back over Spitler’s Edge and then along the footpath back to the cars.

Excellent morning, giving completers 18.5 miles and leaving us hoping for clear conditions on the day to get across the dreaded reed bed.  Light refreshments taken at BD by JtE, NLN and Nic’O.

NLN

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