A sudden decision to check part of the Rossendale Way saw me leaving home around nine, and arriving at Clough Head cafe for a sausage balm and a mug of tea.
Then I set off down to the reservoirs and climbed up to Musbury Heights. Although many more signs indicating the RW have been put up, along with one indicating the West Pennine Way, there is still none at the chimney. However, there is one at the right turn after the cutting and at the stile overlooking Musbury Valley.
After a relatively dry period the crossing of the stream at Rushy Leach was much easier now that there are some stones laid there, although they are clearly placed by other walkers. Further on the leaking ditch has not been dealt with, but at Nettle Hall the way through the muddy section has also been eased by people putting stone slabs down. I added a couple of old roofing stone propped up there and which will never be used for covering a building. What a waste!
Causeway End ruin looked to be in a worse state, but I didn't walk up to see. Two lads with a dog were having a look at it, but they didn't appear to be doing any damage.
I continued as far as Musden Head and stopped for lunch. There is always a feeling of peace at that place - especially round the large sycamore which has a little wall built round it.
Two of the enormous trees by the farm seem to be dying. They have a lot of moss on the branches, and there is no sign of leaves although the dark buds will no doubt open later in May. I think they are oak.
I imagine a family, when they have had a little time off work, sitting there with the wonderful view down the valley. Not all that long ago, of course, the view would have included smoking factory chimneys and there would have been the sound of quarry blasting from Musbury Heights and other quarries in the area. Now there are no chimneys, no smoke, and the quarries are deserted.
I had thought I might go as far as Alden Ratchers but it was late so I set off back. There were no birds anywhere around today, except at Rushy Leach, where I heard and saw a skylark, prompting me to rehearse Wordsworth's poem.
I was a little out of breath on arriving at Clough Head cafe and my shirt was damp. A mugful of tea went down well!
