Barnoldswick to Burnley (October 2016)

'Violet' in Barnoldswick Town Centre

We will be starting in Lancashire...officially, yes, but prior to 1974 we would have started in the historic West Riding of Yorkshire and crossed into pre-1974 Lancashire.  My Dad and I walked approximately 13-14 miles from Barnoldswick to Burnley, the longest stretch we have done to date!

Old historic Yorkshire/Lancashire Border

 

We passed through Salterforth, crossed the historic border boundary into Lancashire and reached Foulridge.  We had to take a diversion from the eastern tunnel portal to the western portal one via Lake Burwain Reservoir. The diversion is approximately two miles and it looks a lovely scenic stretch though it was grey and drizzly when we passed through.  We stopped by the reservoir for lunch break and we sought dry shelter from the trees.

Foulridge Tunnel (Eastern Portal), Leeds and Liverpool Canal

 

After rejoining the tow path at the western portal of Foulridge Tunnel we walked onto Barrowford where we passed the only locks on this stretch, had a comfort stop at Morrisons' cafe in Nelson, passed Brierfield and Reedly and reached Burnley town centre via its "Straight Mile".

Comfort stop in Morrisons, Nelson

We left the canal at the Embankment, known as a "Canal World Wonder"! It was a short walk to the bus station where we got an X43 to Barnoldswick.  I again paid £5.10 for a single but I was consoled that the journey was longer than the Skipton to Barnoldswick passage! At Barnoldswick we picked up the car and Dad drove us home.  A great day out though our feet was killing us!  Another 70+ miles or so to Liverpool - nearly half way now!

Another 76 miles to go!

Burnley Embankment

Barnoldswick to Skipton (September 2016)

The Pendle Hills Countryside and Barnoldswick

Dad and I had originally planned to walk from Barnoldswick to Gargrave but the bus connections aren't direct and would need to change buses at Skipton.  We then decided to walk the miles to Skipton instead and just get a direct bus back to Barnoldswick where we would pick up Dad's car for the drive home.

We parked near the canal and made our way down to the tow path; we began in the Pendle Hills and passed through the summit area with Greenberfield changeline bridge and locks.  We walked part of the Pennine Way which covers some of the canal, passed through East Marton for its double arched bridge and eventually descended down Bank Newton Locks into Gargrave.  We then did six or seven miles walking by the time we reached Gargrave so we decided to have a brief lunch stop.

Double Arched Bridge, East Morton

Gargrave, North Yorkshire

The final few miles was a bit of a struggle and we kept having to stop as our feet were hurting! We felt it took forever to reach Skipton but we eventually made it! We limped off the tow path and a short walk took us to the bus station where we got the X43 - The Witch Way to Barnoldswick.  What an expensive bus ride! It cost me £5.10 for a 20 minutes bus journey! My Dad however was lucky as he has a concession travel pass and can ride on any bus for free!

We made it to Skipton!

The walk was the longest stretch we done so far on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.  It was an enjoyable walk and a lot of stretch is rural with the surrounding Pendle Hills and the Yorkshire Dales. Still a long way to go to Liverpool!

Silsden to Skipton (August 2016)

The day before when I walked from Silsden to Bingley I decided to return to Silsden the next day and walk in the opposite direction to Skipton.  With better planning of buses, I was able to have a quick look around the village and popped in a shop to buy some walk provisions beforehand.

Silsden

The weather was glorious the day before but on this walk I experienced some overcast and showers.  At least it wasn't raining heavily which is a no go for me for walking on the canal! Still it was pleasant walking in the Airedale countryside especially on this stretch.

I walked approximately seven to eight miles...the scenery is similar to what I walked the day before. Like the walk the day before there are no locks and just a handful of swing bridges.  

Kildwick, North Yorkshire

Polish War Memorial, Hamblethorpe Swing Bridge 

I passed through a number of small villages including Kildwick, Farnhill and Bradley.  Least expected was coming across a Polish War Memorial at Hamblethorpe Swing Bridge.

Bradley, North Yorkshire

I reached Skipton knackered! I think it's doing two seven miler walks over two days that took its toll.  My feet had enough and there was no energy left to explore this charming market town. I hobbled to the railway station for my fast and expensive train back to Leeds!

Skipton

Still many miles to go before reaching Liverpool!