BOOTboys

GLW2120 : The Happy Glampers

Friday 18th June 2021

After all these years, Margaret still has the Power to surprise me. I had to go to Preston for a scan to see if I could become the Kendal equivalent of Jaws (of Bond, not Bondi fame). It seemed like a good opportunity for a night away and an exploration of the Bowland area.

The scan took all of two minutes and was totally painless which meant that we could quickly be in Ribchester.

What a nice small town this is, situated, surprise, surprise, by the banks of the River Ribble with Pendle hill in the background.

Once we had finished lunch at the Potters Barn café .....

.....and explored its streets, Bulls (Black and White), Church and Roman baths it was time to head towards the thing that surprised me.

I had suggested that we stay at a nice hotel but when Margaret saw the possibilities she immediately decided where she wanted to stay. In fact she was intent. Or rather, she wanted to be in tent. She would be in tent. She wanted to go camping.

First, though, we had another exploration to undertake. Stonyhurst College. Starting from Hurst Green we found a two mile circuit that led us down the drive of the college then across its front. A quite remarkable building, guarded by the Virgin Mary. Is the address Ave Maria? That's what it said on the statue.

Now it was time to go camping. Not just any old camping, mind you. Glamping. A luxury tent at the back of the Red Pump Inn at Bashall Eaves. A fine Bedouin chieftain's tent.

Inside was like being in a 4 star hotel bedroom.....

..... with portholes!

It was a bit different when you wanted to visit the facilities. It's not exactly dig your own latrines but it is out the back. Nicely surrounded by pine planking so that privacy is maintained but with plenty of airflow for freshness.

We had dinner in the pub which was at the high end of pub grub. The bed was comfortable with the thickest duvet this side of Alaska in case the wind whistled too strongly.

Saturday 19th June 2021

Breakfast was another treat, as was the view over to Pendle.

The journey home was to be via the Trough of Bowland, stopping at Dunsop Bridge for a stroll at what is claimed to be the centre of the United Kingdom. That cannot be right. The UK includes Northern Ireland which would throw the centre to be closer to Morecambe if not into the Bay. The Centre of Great Britain on the other hand seems much more likely, i.e. the island comprised of England, Scotland and Wales. Presumably with their own lesser islands.

We enjoyed a pleasant stroll up and down the Dunsop....

..... followed by one down and up the Hodder, crossing by a pipeline bridge- this one presumably from Stocks Reservoir.

Back at Dunsop Bridge, were blocks with the letters WR clearly marked. This puzzled me as I thought we were in Lancashire. Subsequently I discovered that we were but Dunsop Bridge used to be in the West Riding of Yorkshire until 1974.

The army were out in force. Or to be more precise, the 2nd World War US Army motor vehicle parade re-enactors from Preston. An interesting sight to enjoy whilst finishing the walk with a Magnificent Magnum.

Driving back through the Trough brought back happy memories of a similar drive as a child except I don't remember such death defying motorcyclists whizzing by. Our route home thereafter was somewhat eccentric, sometimes along lanes that we didn't know existed. At other times, being on roads that we had travelled when following the Thirlmere pipeline.

All in all a really nice short break, happy glamping with two Great Little Walks.

Next week we progress from a tent to a shed. Watch this space!

Don, Saturday 19th June 2021

Maps:

Stonyhurst College