The November Ramble – The Ribble at Mitton
The walk for this month, led by Janet And Jim, was on home ground and incorporated yet another lovely section of the Ribble Way and consisted of an outward section along the south bank and a return following the north bank.
The weather for the walk, as forecast, was dull, but mostly dry and generally pleasant walking conditions.
Starting from the car park of the Aspinall Arms, our group of nine plus two dogs set off along the Ribble Way, heading towards Clitheroe, but it wasn’t long before a dog decided to go for a swim in the river. Unfortunately, the bank at this point was quite steep and he had some trouble climbing up.
Leaving the river at Edisford bridge, we continued through the grounds of the swimming pool, back to the river and on to the cemetery, joined the Waddington road and then entered a country park with a sculpture trail for a very scenic lunch stop. One of the seats here had a picture of a pig attached to it, which puzzled us for a while. Was the seat dedicated to someone’s recently departed porker? The explanation arrived in the form of a party of dad’s and children, led by a park ranger. The picture, one of a series, was for the entertainment of the children.
Back on the trail again, we now joined the north bank at Brungerley Bridge, walking through beautiful parkland and on to Waddow Hall, the outdoor centre for the Girl Guide movement. Our route now led through fields and the somewhat overgrown and muddy Malkin Lane to Great Mitton and a return to the Aspinall Arms.
Thank you Janet and Jim for a very pleasant seven and a half miles and yet another sample of the exceptional countryside that is on our doorstep.
Linda & Eddie Grange