The President’s Walk

The weather was very cold but dry, contrary to the forecast. But it had been very wet during the previous fortnight. The well-used lanes were very muddy so the planned route had to be slightly altered to avoid the mud. A shame really, as we were unable to view the Washdub, lower down Whitestone Lane, to which NCHT later in the year gave a grant towards its restoration.

We therefore took the higher route over the six ladder styles to the junction with Moughton Lane. Instead of going on to the old shooting box and Moughton Whetstone Hole we turned sharp left through the gate normally kept firmly wired closed but especially opened for us by Mr Peter Haw. He also gave us permission to cross his land to the source of Austwick Beck where it appears from under the Limestone at the joint with the Silt Stone and Sandstone of the Horton Formation.

From here we joined the main footpath to Beggar’s Style, through Thieves Moss and up to Sulber Gate and then went along the Clapham Old Drove Road to above Crummock farm and down to the cars.

B.B-E.