We stayed at The Lion Inn at Settle last night, another quality pub/hotel. Good food, damn good ale, a very comfortable place, and again very good service!
Two of the very fine ales on offer, both from Thwaites - a local brewery. Lancaster Bomber and Wainwright. Tally ho chaps!
The staff at breakfast were particularly helpful, as were the evening crew, but a special mention for the two girls on morning reception/breakfast duty. Going the extra mile in service costs nothing, and makes everyone feel good. Thanks girls, service with a smile, and the help in sorting out where to leave our bags was good also.
My friends Julie and Kevin Watson had very kindly offered to shift our bags from Settle to Clitheroe, while themselves taking in a 7 mile hike over the fells near Settle. That was very kind, and a big help. So thank you very much Julie and Kev, you are lovely people!!
Julie and Kevin outside our hotel in Clitheroe, while the sun was shining!
This morning we set off around 9.45 for the 17 mile stroll to Clitheroe. It was threatening to rain, and this time Mother Nature carried out her threat!
Still a very nice walk though, starting along the River Ribble for a mile or two
Calm in places, then gushing over rocks. Most pleasing on the eye after so much road walking of late.
Leaving the riverbank after a little while, we took a quiet lane through the very nice little villages of Rathmell and Wigglesworth. Slipping in and out of Lancashire and Yorkshire at regular intervals, so close are the border lines here.
for much of the morning.
Skirting the edge of The Forest of Bowland, we were now firmly in Lancashire, a sad goodbye to Yorkshire after an all too brief visit to one of God's chosen.
Lancashire though is very beautiful too, with a few delights to come before we enter Cheshire in a few days, then further on South to Staffordshire, Shropshire, and The Severn.
For now, Lancashire must be enjoyed, with Winter Hill beyond Tockholes one that I am particulartly looking forward to.
Plodding on through Bolton-by-Bowland, then Sawley, the drizzle dried up, and the sun came out!
A peaceful looking river from the bridge at Sawley, and just around the corner were the ruins of Sawley Abbey.
Just a few more miles to do, which was along the busy A59 , but a deserted cycle lane made the final plod to Clitheroe quite comfortable, and all the better when met by Julie and Kevin at the top of the road into Clitheroe town centre - armed with a most welcome flask of coffee!!
All in all, a comfortable, easy 17 miles, 517 now in total.
Alec Hawkes milko on the plod, in Lancashire.
14.06.13
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