Tuesday December 16th

Grize Dale and Nicky Nook with Steve Jeffs

It had been a long time since we'd been out with Steve, long-time friend and sometime climbing partner of David. The last time David had been out with him was back in '23, when he'd walked Ben Nevis. We'd been in touch and agreed that we should meet again and Steve suggested a walk half way between our two homes, starting at Grizedale Bridge on the western edge of The Forest of Bowland. The car park itself was on the Harvey Map but the rest of the walk wasn't! The first section of the walk was along Grize Dale through mainly broadleaf forest- very pleasant compared to conifer plantations. We passed a Wyre Council path maintenance team (mainly volunteers) in Christmas Elf hats, a very strange sight. After a brief stretch on a quiet road, we passed (another) Throstle Nest Farm and followed the Wyre Way to Scorton where we had refreshments at a café in a garden centre. Jacinta remembered that we'd met Dave and Helen there some time before as it was just off the M6 and a convenient place to meet.

After our break, we climbed up to the cairn and monument at the top of Nicky Nook with extensive views across the Lancashire Planes to the west, and The Forest of Bowland to the east.

Steve and Jacinta with the Lancashire Plains

Nicky Nook summit cairn with Forest of Bowland

We were very lucky with the weather which was clear although a little chilly. We returned to the cars via a little loop passing the farm at Fell End. We agreed that we should meet again in '26.

A walk of 8.2 miles with 285m ascent.





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