Monday 31st December 2018 - near Warton to Arnside.
The whole of this section runs through my home territory and is pretty familiar to me, although I did find myself on previously unwalked paths, and others that had much dimmed from my memory. Because of the familiarity I didn't take many photos and tended to take things a bit for granted. That's a pity because after the section over the Bowland Hills this was perhaps the second best part. My companion, Bowland Climber, has written an excellent account which captures the ambience and the detail:
"The Way of the Crow - Seventh day - Carnforth to Arnside."
This has been an interesting and rewarding project. On the long distance walks I have devised for myself I have always started by drawing a straight line, but I have never been able to keep as close as we did here. In the spirit of Nick Crane's Two Degrees West we did manage to stay within one kilometre either side of the line for the whole distance, and on top of that managed to finish before the year was out, the latter point being somewhat meaningless, but one found satisfying by both of us. Fellow walking enthusiasts may have undertaken similar projects and I would be interested to hear of any of this or greater distance where the one kilometre criterion was achieved - I think it would be quite rare. Nick Crane had to concoct all kinds of inventiveness to achieve his epic and amusing trek.
Here's to the next one.
I wish all a productive and enjoyable New Year.
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| A well kept snd well engineered path connecting the two parallel roads from Warton to Crag Foot. We took the higher and quieter one. |
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| Crag Foot Chimney. Used many years ago in the process of pumping dry the surrounding fsrmland. |
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| Salt-marsh expanses looking to Jenny Brown's Point and another old chimmney previously used in smelting |
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| Limestone pavement on a slope |
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One for my Relics collection. It seemed that the trees/shrubs had been deliberately planted round the car to purposely entomb it
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| The red line is our straight line. For no particular reason the one kilometre west line is not shown but it is obvious we are well within it |
Thanks for guiding me through to Arnside.
ReplyDeleteYour map shows the route you had intended until I confused you and got us lost in Silverdale Green. It was worth it for Burton Well Scar and Lambert's Meadow.
If I recall correctly Alan Sloman et al used the one kilometre criterion on last year's TGO Challenge, though whether they managed to stick to it I can't say.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year Conrad.
I've really enjoyed this series - both the concept and the execution. Although I've never started any of my route plotting by drawing a straight line on the map, I do tend away from taking overly meandering routes on point-to-point walks (the day that we followed the Pennine Way north and ended the day 3 miles further south than we had started did pain me), however, to achieve staying within such a small margin on such a length of route is admirable indeed.
ReplyDeleteYou've also reminded me that I really need to get hold of a copy of Nicholas Crane's 2 Degrees book.
afoot - I will contact Alan and ask him about that - thanks.
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Gayle - Glad to hear you approve of our little project. I have just tried another straight line and came up against the River Ribble within the first few miles. That wouldn't have fazed Nick Crane - he resorted to all sorts of gambits to keep within his boundary.
Hi Conrad. I found the time to sit down and read the whole journey in one go and very enjoyable it was too. Apologies to BC, my initial comment that it would be a good couple of days walk was not meant to mean that’s how long it “should” take you.
ReplyDeleteQuernmore estate, according to wiki is owned by Karl Oyston and is closed for business and it is up for sale. The interior looks very grand.
I think the Arbour is used by the estate, probably during shoots. The last time I passed there it was decorated by a very nice Range Rover and party of well to do’s. It would make a good bothy for walkers.
Ok. Where’s the next straight line going.
A great idea and a highly enjoyable series of posts, thanks.
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