9 hardy ( or maybe foolhardy) souls set out yesterday for an 8 mile ramble around the Stocks reservoir in the Gisburn Forest just over the Yorkshire Border. There should have been 11 of us but 2 got lost on the way and eventually did their own 5 mile walk in the area! 🙂 Setting off in reasonably dry weather we followed well marked paths through the forest owned by United Utilities which is the forest of Bowland area of outstanding natural beauty. Sadly the low cloud and general mizzle stopped any far reaching views but we all agreed on a clear bright sunny day the area would be beautiful.
Crossing fields and woodlands we circumnavigated the reservoir which provides the water supply to the Fylde area of Lancashire. Stopping at some conveniently placed pontoons we had a quick lunch stop half way through the ramble just in time before the mizzle turned to rain. From here we found that the paths were mostly mud which made for some very interesting footwork and some ingenious ways of navigating water filled kissing gates! Thankfully there was only one minor slip in the mud and everyone returned safely to our start point, although somewhat more bedraggled than we set out.. Having divested of filthy boots, gaiters and over-trousers we stopped off at the Spread Eagle inn for a well earned drink before heading for home. Thanks to Mike and Gill for the recce and leading the walk in an area we hadn’t visited before.