Woke up, fell out of bedDragged a comb across my headFound my way downstairs and drank a cupAnd looking up, I noticed I was lateFound my coat and grabbed my hatMade the bus in seconds flat.
Lennon and McCartney. 1967.
Fast-forward 56 years and I almost missed the bus today and the chance of a walk above Chipping. I was lounging in bed with my second coffee of the day, struggling with The Times Crossword. A little hungover from our family’s delayed Xmas/New Year celebrations taken yesterday. My prize present was a bottle of malt.
The forecast was for showers off and on all day. Why do we listen to these updated seaweed predictions? I see out of the corner of my bloodshot eye, from the injury not the whisky, blue skies over all my new neighbours’ new houses. Looking closer all seems good out there.
Made the bus in seconds flat. The stop is handily placed on the corner of my road, and I was soon in Chipping. All part of my intent to make more use of public transport this year.
The walk I quickly improvised is on good surfaces but virtually traffic free and takes you in a circle to the base of the Bowland Hills and back. I’ve described it most recently here and there in more detail.
The sky was blue, there was no wind and the views seemed clearer than usual. Into the grounds of Legram Hall I was on a private road threading its way past farms and sheep country to the open fells, although I wouldn’t be tackling them today. Too early for the snowdrop display I strolled onwards with frequent looks back across the ancient deer park to the dark side of Longridge Fell and the sunnier Pendle. I’d put some loose change into my pocket so that I could purchase free-range eggs from the honesty box of Saddle End Farm – alas there were none left. We are in the middle of Avian Flu and there seems to be a shortage of eggs everywhere. Are the hens on strike with the rest of the country?
Skipping on, down the lane past mills and old foundries. This was an industrial landscape not so long ago. Now there is a Lancashire cheese factory and the remainder of Kirk Mill.
My ‘find of the day’ was some steps in front of the Chair Work’s cottages. I’ve never noticed them before, but they lead down directly into Chipping Brook, which had powered the mills. For what purpose? Washing place for the cottagers, connected with the cotton era for cleansing the fabrics – I’ve no idea, please help.
I had time for a coffee in the wonderful Cobbled Corner Cafe before catching the 2.30 bus home.
***
You did better than me. I didn’t set my alarm and slept for 11 hours. Your walk looks well worth the dash.
Next time.
The steps: for Springer Spaniel owners to give their charges access to the water. The photo reminds me of similar at SD 222 907 on the last few yards of a run I did quite often round the Dunnerdale Fells. After the first time my Springer, Barney, always remembered the location with glee, and it was a good opportunity for him to have a wash before getting into the car after his other predilection for mud.
I hadn’t thought about doggy steps. But the infrastructure suggests otherwise.
Never thought about Doggy access to the water, though I think the infrastructure suggests more than that.
Yes, I agree, but I couldn’t resist your post sparking off a pleasant memory.
Around Chipping is very scenic isn’t it. I like the steps being a dog watering spot idea. 🙂
That was Sir Hugh’s suggestion. The steps are really strange going from the road straight into the water.
Good to know the Cobbled Corner is open for business. I have a chair that was made in that mill. If I were to buy a chair now it would probably come all the way from China, and fall apart in a few years.
Cobbled Corner closed on Mondays and Tuesdays so plan any visit accordingly.
They made good furniture at Berry’s factory, several of my friends were employed there until it closed in 2010.
I often went in the Cobbled Corner with my partner years ago when we were round that way, it always amused me that one of the items on the menu was Bungo Soup, so called because they bunged everything into it 🙂 I wonder if they still do it?
It is under new management nowadays, doubt they still have Bungo Soup. I will next time I’m in.
Furniture is still made locally: https://www.oldmanandmagpie.com/
Looks good – but not cheap. We have all been spoilt by the likes of Ikea.