A select group of five set out from Shipley Bridge, being half term others were on Grandparent duty. We headed North along the road by the fast flowing river, once a tramway to transport peat from Red Lake. Turning left at the junction we soon left the road and headed up to the ridge of Brent Moor past settlements and field systems. The whole area is covered with relics of past industry.
Our next point of navigation, the iconic submarine shape of Eastern White Barrow was lost in the mist, however due to the leader's superb navigation skills we got there for a windy coffee stop. Heading for Western White Barrow we made our way through the pits and spoil heaps left by tin miners. Western White Barrow or Whitaburrow started life as a Bronze Age cairn but was converted into a cosy shelter with two rooms and a slate roof by peat cutters working for the naphtha distillation plant.
The mist cleared and we had lovely views of wild moorland all around. Ahead the huge spoil heap of Red Lake Quarry and to the north the pillow mounds of Huntington Warren and prehistoric hut circles and enclosures.
Heading down to join the two moors way we discovered more recent relics of what seemed to be settlement tanks for china clay. On down to the beautiful little clapper bridge, a perfect lunch spot, then down came the rain which followed us back along the river to the Reservoir and Dam and the road back to the car park where we were joined by families of Tamworth pigs routing about under the oak trees. Then joy of joy the Coffee Van was there. Hot chocolate was just what we needed.
A very nice day out.
Stella