30/05/15 - Moving Students

Distance - 5 Miles
Geocaches - 8
Walk Inspiration - Country Walking Magazine June 1999 Walk 29

My daughter's placement year comes to its conclusion, so once again, we are heading up country to do the two car job that is moving her out of shared accommodation and back to the bosom of the family home.  For the next three months, until we take her back.

It provides an excellent opportunity to explore another part of the country.  A search through my extensive walking resources indicates that Skelmersdale may be prettier than it sounds and only 3 miles away from the house that needs evacuation.

Looks promising as we park at Beacon Country park, with some fine views stretching from Snowdonia to the left, to the Lakes to the right and Anglezarke Hill behind.

Views from the Beacon

The walk drops us down a muddy and overgrown path through where we meet a couple of other walkers with a Labradoodle.  Sonia asks whether its a boy whilst unnecessarily peering below at it's under-carriage.   A lone man asks me the way to the Beacon and I can tell him and he heads off.  We dive into the bushes for a geocache and he comes back, walking in the opposite direction to the beacon.

Path toward Anglezarke Hill

The path delivers us to Roby Mill... a hamlet that has a pub.  After a long journey, we are gasping for a drink but despite some furious door rattling, its apparent it's not open at 11:30am.  No choice but to press on, but not before Sonia makes a new friend.

Sonia, meet Anthony

Fields around the back of Roby Mill

Roby Mill is a two pub sort of place and we do find the Star Inn open for lemonades at 11:50. Refreshed, we head off for some road walking.  Every house is having an "Open Garden" day for charity, so someone sat on a deckchair attempts to lure us into their abode to look at the daffs.

We don't have time for this, not when there are caches to find on the great path to Ashurst Beacon.  Fine walking, to be rewarded with great views.

Ashurst Beacon - and a handy guide to the views

All that remains of the walk is to follow the golf course to the car.  Then its off to pick up Ellie, who's been texting us to find out when we are taking her to lunch.  1:45pm is the answer, but the real surprise for her is she's paying.

I've gone to Lancashire and forgot my wallet.