HEBDEN BRIDGE TO HOWARTH 22nd DECEMBER 2024





Sunday's outing  to Hebden Bridge, with the intention to rejoin the coach at Haworth, began with some 'technical' problems!

There was a short diversion on the M65 due to a serious accident closing off a section.
We rejoined the motorway but unfortunately left at the wrong junction and ended up heading for Keighley.
However, a warning came through on someone's phone that the road between Todmorden and Hebden Bridge was closed due to a collapsed culvert, which meant that we wouldn't have been able to reach that destination anyway!
Continuing on towards Keighley with snow accompanying us, it was decided that we should go straight to Haworth, and so all four leaders quickly planned circular routes accordingly.

The Oldhams party of 10, followed the Bronte Way to Bronte Waterfall and up to Top Withens and found a sheltered lunch stop.
From there they descended to Walshaw Dean Middle Reservoir, headed south to join the Calder/Aire Link path to Oxenhope, where they enjoyed festive refreshments in The Bay Horse, before heading north to Haworth.

Paul's group of 6 also headed up to Bronte Waterfall and to Top Withens, also lunching in the shelter. They continued up to Dick Delph Hill and Oxenhope Still Hill, where they descended the long, gradual ,very muddy path to Spa Hill.
From there, they crossed over to Penistone Hill Country Park to enjoy the hospitality of Christmas in Haworth.

Stuart took his party of 9 along the same Bronte Way route, and all three parties arrived almost at the same time at the Top Withens 'Wuthering Heights' ruin, sharing the shelter for a lunch stop. It was quite a squeeze with nearly 25 folk all packed in!
The route then went up to Dick Delph Hill and Oxenhope Stoop Hill, continuing on  across very uneven semi frozen ground to Top of Stairs, where they joined the Calder/Aire Link path to descend to Leeshaw Reservoir then into Haworth via Marsh Lane.

Pat and Steph hastily rearranged plans, their party of 5 visiting  the famous Bronte Parsonage in Haworth, before following the Bronte Way south to Oxenhope.
This path shares the valley with the Keighley and Worth Valley heritage railway, and they were passed by a steam train en route.
Returning to Haworth via this railway, they had hoped for a steam hauled train, but had to make do with a diesel!

All in all, despite the morning's travel problems, the day was really enjoyed by everyone.
Who would not miss spending  a fantastic hour or so in Haworth near Christmas, where the steep cobbled Main Street is brightly decorated, the shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants are all so welcoming, and everyone is cheerful!

The journey home was uneventful, and this completed SFWC's 2024 walks program.

The committee wishes all our members and their families a Very Merry Christmas and all good wishes for 2025. Thank you all, for  supporting our walks and keeping our Club going forward.

Stu

Thank you Stuart

And thank you to the photographers for their contributions achieved under some stress!
Eric, Geoff, Stuart and Chris.
Apologies for the absence of any commentary.

Open the Album in the usual way - click here

and thank you Alan for next year's walk routes.        

 Sunday 5th January 2025 – Elterwater

5.00 p.m. departure

 Northbound to Preston, M6 north to junction 36, A590/A591 to Ambleside, A593/B5343 to Elterwater. Park in Elterwater. Morning coffee stop at Burton services.

 Sunday 19th January 2025 – Ambleside

5.00 p.m. departure

Northbound to Preston, M6 north to junction 36, A590/A591 to Ambleside. Park in Ambleside in the Rothay Holme coach/HGV park which is situated off the Rothay Road (A593), between the bridge/shar

 p bend where the A593 crosses the river at Rothay Bridge and the centre of Ambleside. Morning coffee stop at Burton services.

 Sunday 2nd February 2025 – Aber to Conwy

5.00 p.m. departure

 M57 south, Mersey Gateway Bridge, M56, A55 westbound. At junction 20 (Rhos-on-Sea) the coach will turn on to the A547 and continue westbound on this to junction 19, where it will rejoin the A55 and continue westbound to Aber. At Aber the coach will turn around and return on the A55 to Llandudno Junction, parking in the Junction Retail Park (near McDonald’s). The coach will drive from there to the bus stop in Castle Street, Conwy shown on the map below, arriving there around 4.30 








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