First things first… an apology- Before I tell you about the next walk, I feel I should start with an apology for the last walk I led. As some of you may remember, there was a slight problem at the morning break. We had been told that we could call in for refreshments, which sounded very promising. Unfortunately, we discovered that being told you can have refreshments and being allowed to have refreshments are apparently two completely different things.It seems to depend on who is on duty that morning as to whether they honour the promise.

So, having learnt from that experience. This time we are stopping at Blackburn Services. So, unless they run out of coffee, decide to close just as we arrive, or someone tells them that I have organised a coach full of walkers and they immediately lock the doors and switch the lights off, we should be fine.

I am beginning to realise that organising a walk is not as easy as it seems to be when your just walking it.

Anyway… on with the walk.

We then head to Gawthorpe Hall, where our walk begins. It is a circular route of approximately 5 miles and, good news for those of you who don’t like hills, (ME) it is fairly flat with only one small incline.

We start by walking down the drive, then enter a small wood before joining a path alongside the River Calder. We then pass through Grove Lane Plantation, which was once a coal ginny used for taking coal from the mines. From there, we walk along a country lane where, hopefully, we will have some lovely views of Pendle Hill and the surrounding countryside. Of course, there is a small problem with this, the views depend on the weather. When we did the recce, it was a lovely day and the views were fantastic. So, if they aren’t there on the day, you will just have to take my word for it.

We will then stop for lunch beside the River Calder. Unfortunately, it won’t be at the exact spot I originally intended. On the last recce I noticed a sign saying: 

NO PICNICS. 

Now, I don’t know about you, but I always thought a picnic involved a blanket, a basket, several sandwiches, some cake, possibly a flask and somebody complaining that they don’t like the sandwiches. Apparently, a sandwich on its own is also a picnic. Who knew?

So rather than risk being arrested by the Picnic Police, we have found another field where we can stop. With a very tatty bench in front, so it’s first come, first seated, but I am not responsible if something goes wrong and you all end up bottoms in the air.

There is no “No Picnics” sign there. At least there wasn’t when I looked. If one has appeared by the time we arrive, we’ll have to think quickly.

After lunch, we cross the River Calder. Before anyone starts worrying, we are not going to wade across it, there is a bridge. I checked, I think. Anyway, assuming the bridge is still there, we should be fine. We then follow a pathway, and this is where our one small incline appears.

Originally, we had planned to cross  a field,. And, amazingly, we did this on the first recce. We then discovered that the way ahead was blocked. I have reported it, although it doesn’t appear to be particularly high on anybody’s list of priorities. We could have tried crawling underneath the obstruction. But I decided against it. There were two very good reasons.

Firstly, I wasn’t sure if it was electrified.

Secondly, there was a farmer in the other field.

Now, I’m sure he was a very nice farmer. He may even have been an extremely pleasant chap. But there was always the possibility that he was a bit of a grinch. And, more importantly, he looked like he might be a very good shot. I therefore decided that discretion was the better part of valour. Or, in my case, the better part of not getting shot while leading a walking group.

So, we have changed the route slightly. Instead, we will go through Hagg Wood, (but not recced this) which is apparently one of only six ancient woodlands in Lancashire. Which sounds much better than crawling under a fence and being electrocuted or shot by an angry farmer. From Hagg Wood, it’s mainly pathways all the way back to the start. Or, more importantly, the pub. We reversed the direction of the walk since our first recce, which means that we now finish at a pub. I thought this was a decision that some of you would appreciate.

The pub is about a 10-minute walk back to Gawthorpe Hall, so those of you who decide to stay for a drink will need to make your way back to the Hall afterwards, as that is where the coach will be parked. I have been told that we can park the coach there. I am keeping my fingers crossed that this is still the case on the day. Because apparently, when organising a walk, nothing is confirmed until the coach is parked and everyone is safely drinking tea.

Those of you who don’t fancy the pub don’t  worry. There is a café at Gawthorpe Hall, and you can also visit the Hall itself. And across from the pub is a church you can always walk around the graveyard, I am not sure if the church is open.

I believe admission is £7, although National Trust members are free.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who are still prepared to trust me to organise a walk after the last one. Your faith in me is both touching and, quite frankly, slightly worrying.

And for those of you who have read this entire report, thank you for your dedication.

Because I could have simply written:

“Gawthorpe Hall. Circular walk. Five miles. Pub at the end.”

But where would the fun be in that?

Instead, you’ve read about missing refreshments, suspicious picnic regulations, blocked footpaths, potentially electrified fences, a possibly grumpy farmer, a bridge, an ancient woodland, coach parking  What could possibly go wrong? Well… based on my previous walk, I’m not prepared to answer that question.

And the truth is… On the actual day, I’m just going to wing it, so none of this is relative (kidding, or am I).

See you all on the walk!