Seeing it was such a lovely sunny autumn day with temperatures up in the low 60's, Bill and me decided we would make the most of it. We began on the straight mile, a section of the Leeds and Liverpool canal that cuts across the centre of Burnley, meeting lots of cyclists and ramblers along the way. When we came to Thompsons Park we then branched off along the Burnley Way along to Heasandford. There the River Brun, from which Burnley gets its name, flows past allotments full of poultry and greenhouses. At one point I noticed a bird perched on a large stone in the river. I realised at once it was not a mallard as its head was brown and it had a pointy tail. It was a pintail duck, not normally seen in these parts, but present in the winter months in small numbers. That was a first sighting for me. One tree had a flock of coal tits in its branches, wonder why they favoured that particular tree? The brambles seem to have now lost their fruit, just the odd one still lingering, not very juicy either.
Approaching Netherwood Farm we were passed by a few horses, there riders also enjoying the warm day. From there we went on the track to Rowley Lake, a man made lake that was made in the late 60's by damning the stream. To me its now unrecognisable from the same place when I was a teenager. Then there were no trees, plus the stream is now a series of cataracts, instead of the gentle meanderings of yesteryear. Now, the Forest of Burnley planted thousands of trees which are now grown and hide the surrounding scenery. Its very beautiful and peaceful. Met on elderly man in one of those motorised wheelchairs, he has lived in Burnley all his life, yet this was the first time he had been on that path, and he was really impressed. Finally we reached Rowley Farm and Hall, where my old friends Tim and Susan lived when we were kids. They used to keep a pet bull which used to hang over a gate and bellow at you if you didnt tickle its head. Passing the Hall to our left was Rowley Lake. We took the left hand path and ambled slowly round. Across the other side were a flock of white geese, several families picnicing, and anglers languidly casting their rods. The cry of a moorhen drifted over the water, though we didnt see it. At the far end of the lake we took a direct path and came out near the Thornton Arms pub on Brownside Road. By then both of us were hungry and thirsty so we made a beeline for the Spar shop at Pike hill. Bought sandwiches and juice then sat on a wall to replenish ourselves.
Walked home down Brunshaw Hill, Fulledge, Towneley Holmes, then up through Burnley Wood and finally home. Bill was tired, poor love, he cant stand the pace!!!! Said his shins were hurting him. I sat outside with a cuppa tea until the sun sank below the houses opposite. Twas a very good peaceful kind of day.
