​Venue: Much Hoole
Date: Monday 14th August 2017
Weather: Rain all evening
Leader: Graham Thomas/;John Wilson
Party Number: 18
Distance and Time: 2 miles 2 hours
 
A party of 18 set off from the famous Much Hoole Parish Church where Jeremiah Horrocks was the Curate here. He rented a room at the nearby Carr House and from there he observed the first transit of Venus across the surface of the Sun in 1639.
Hoping that a rain shower was only brief we walked to the main road to turn left then a path on the left followed a stream.
The rain got heavier but we carried onto the River Douglas.
We didn't hang around but walked quickly down Haunders Lane then a path on the left led through a Corn field back to the Church.
The night should have been abandoned but it wasn't known as to the extent of the weather at first.
No pictures were taken on the evening.

Samlesbury Bezza Lane
Monday 7th August
A lovely summers evening

The Preston Society consisting of 20 people set off from the boarded up Myerscough Smithy and walked down the access track towards Fold Farm. The Farmer came up to meet us as he had heard his Cattle were restless and came to investigate. We chatted before continuing along path by the side of his buildings. In the field we turned right to Moorhouses. These were a line of Cottages that the path went behind. One of them had a 1690 AD Datestone.
We turned right and walked slowly down Woods Brow, a lovely quiet lane. This led to the junction at Bezza Lane. By walking just to the right and looking over a gate, the Ribble Valley could be seen way below.
We walked down Bezza Lane then left down to Pickering Fold Farm then descended behind the farm down into a valley to cross Bezza Brook then climbed up though fields and back to Folds Farm and back to the start. Enroute we saw 3 female Roe Deer and further along near the Bezza junction, a Male Roe Deer.
A group of 13 sat outside The Boddington Arms after a beautiful Summer's evening walk. The still conditions was perfect for viewing Wildlife.
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