The Forest of Bowland, well at least the western fringe of it is virtually on our doorstep yet as remained for years virtually unexplored by us. We are hoping this year to put that right and hopefully this will be the first of many visits. We left home around 08:45 and were parked up at the Bull Beck picnic site for 09:30 having been held up for a while by what seemed a rather serious road accident at Caton. Booted up we were soon on our way through the rising field path to Brookhouse and then along the old quarry track to Claughton Moor. From there we descended to Claughton with the intention of returning along the River Lune riverside path to the Bull Beck. However looking down to the river from the moor it was plain to see that the riverside path was not an option so we returned along the road and the old railway line.

Bull Beck picnic site. Located on the A683 between Caton and Claughton.

Walking up the field path to Brookhouse we came across this stile ......now redundant

The Black Bull at Brookhouse

The "Plague Stone" ......those unfortunate to catch the Plague would place money in the hollowed top which would be full of vinegar in exchange for food. The vinegar was said to sterilze the money.

Moorside Farm

Looking back down to the Lune valley. There were soom rather dark clouds passing over at this point but apart for a 30 second hailstone shower it remained fine

It was about this point that we realised a return down the riverside path would be unlikely not having any waders with us.

Some of the wind turbines on Caton Moor.

Moorcock Hall.....When we were last past here over 20 years ago this was a complete ruin. Now some restoration work as been done but by whom and for what purpose I don't know.

As we started to descend the sun made an appearance

Gragareth and Whernside through the hazy cloud

Ingleborough

As we descended we came to the entrance of the Clay pits which provide the base material for the brickworks in Claughton. Our path went to the left.

Material from the clay pit is transported down the hillside using this aerial ropeway.

Looking down on Hornby

Still plenty of water in the valley bottom. The river is in the distance and a few days ago the whole valley bottom would have been under water.

Hornby

The Fenwick Arms at Claughton

Railway signals in the garden!!!......Model Train enthusiast maybe?

It's actually a left-over from the North-Western Railway which operated between 1849 - 1966. Looks like the signal box is a summerhouse now.

Our final section of the walk was along the trackbed of the old railway.

And finally,......Back to Bull Beck. A Bacon Buttie would have been very welcome at this point but we decided to return to Morecambe to the Stone Jetty.

For members of the "I Love Morecambe" group I will try to put the pictures from Morecambe on tomorrow.

Next Walk:     27th January 2008 -- Dallam Park and Beetham Fell

Last Walk:     22nd January 2008 -- Eaves Wood and Arnside Knott

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