Our regular run from the Cow Shed at Buckshaw Village comes round every three or four months thanks to Geoff, and today he had arranged some really nice weather for the trip. We have usually of late used the Mill Café at St Catherine’s at Lostock Hall for our lunch stop, but they have changed their rules on party bookings; the meals have to be booked in advance now, thus precluding us from visiting. So today we reverted to our old haunt, Burger King at Bamber Bridge.

Departing the Cow Shed Geoff added a few new wrinkles (for the wrinklies?) into the route to the Mossfield Nature Reserve as we headed for the Cuerden Valley.Dropping into the Valley at Lower Kem Mill we spent a little time exploring the remains of its dyeing and bleaching works (latterly used as a farm); built in 1784 and finally demolished in 1973. Making its use span almost 200 years, in that time many other short lived industries have flourished and then died.

Heading up the hill near Cuerden Hall, Electric Eric mentioned he had five bars, Ithought we were all going to be treated to a drink or two, it was by now quite a hot day. Alas, Eric had not bought into the dying pub trade; he was referring to his battery power readout. The weather, as I mentioned previously was great, I was certainly expecting the route through the Cuerden Valley beside the River Lostock to be very busy, it usually is on any Saturday, even in inclement weather. I think it was quieter than usual, this was a bonus for us, and there were fewer dog walkers with their pooches on long leads for us to dodge around.

Arriving at Bamber Bridge we headed to Burger King, to find it quite deserted, butfully staffed; this was usually the case when we regularly visited over twelve months ago. Trade did seem to pick up whilst we dined; not the most salubrious of dining establishments, but it sufficed for our needs.

Geoff also managed to add another wrinkle or two into the return journey as we passed through Buckshaw Village back to the start: perhaps I should check in the mirror when I get home, adding wrinkles can be bad for one’s complexion I believe.

Thanks again Geoff.

The photographs may be viewed here on our Flickr account.