2018 BOXING DAY WALK

It was a worrying start to the day when Andy drove into the car park and staggered out of his car complaining of violent stomach pains. He was pale and bent over, holding his stomach and grimacing as the pains went through his body. Mel gave him some Antacid tablets, he had these and drank a lot of water but still did not look too good. Eleven o'clock sounded and the party moved off ( as is tradition at this time) to the free parking behind the Black Bull with Carol staying with Andy. We were still not sure if he should see a doctor.

We began the walk up the road/track towards the Copper Mines Valley, glad that this was to be a low level walk as the cloud was well down and it would have been rubbish on the tops. Our aim was to look into the adits and explore, and generally peruse the industrial archaeology as part of a social walk. Before we reached the first adit there was a horrible noise - it was Andy, who evidently was now feeling better as he had started to insult all those who earlier had shown concern about him. Typical!

It was decided to have an early lunch at the bottom of the "ramp" as some of the party, Bill and Sue Osborne were to do a contour path then rejoin us at Levers Water. Bill Nix, Emma Key and her mum had also decided to walk lower. At Levers Water a striking pose of our motley group was taken as we all stood on the weir edge which made of Shap granite - Andy, so much better now mooning! Just a little further on was one of the old mine workings which whilst being quarried has left a deep cleft in the hillside - very impressive!

Bob Johnston, Sam Lieberman and Dalek decided to explore this but the rest of us stayed well clear. Onwards we went to the Boulder Valley but nobody fancied climbing the Pudding Stone, but Dalek, Bob and Andy here diverted uphill to an old mine building which had lots of old ironmongery in it - compressors, pipes and old boilers. On the track to the Walna Scar Road now, and then down the tarmac road to cross a field and pick up a super contouring path which led to the bridge over Church Beck and back down to the cars.

Thanks are due again to Linda and Stuart at the Prince of Wales in Foxfield, they did us proud. The food was superb and of course was the beer - but that's Mel's domain. Thanks to all who came - see you all next year.

Those attending the walk:- Dalek, AndyHal l, Bill Holden, Bob & Ros Johnston, Emma Key & her mum, Sam Lieberman, Carol Makin, Bill Nix, Bill and Sue Osborne, Malcolm Starkings, Helen, Katherine and Sophie Titchmarsh, Sandra and Mel Wilkinson

Sandra Wilkinson

One of the Coniston old workings - Photo: Mel Wilkinson



RRCPC at Levers Water - Photo: Bill Holden

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