Mud, Mud, Glorious Mud – A Tour of Darwin Moor

The day had dawned bright and sunny, by the time I got up anyway. A slight breeze kept the temperature low as we raced through Bolton on our way to the annual visit to the Royal Arms at Tockholes.  There were a large number of people about in the vicinity and for once the car park was nearly full. A recent violent wind had removed the top of Darwin Tower and the section had been removed for future refurbishment, so perhaps some were there to view the naked tower.
The car park was busy with men in shorts and striped tops, eagerly awaiting their turn to start. Small groups exchanged excited views and slowly got together to start finding the trail.
Some early risers were already off, and a group of walkers set off on a ramble roughly in line with the route. Injury meant Skint Wilson and Old Markham were joined by Stiles on a rare outing, plodding round the moors.
The Ruddock Family were next off, with the Greater Ruddock recovered enough from knee knack to attempt a run. Then, after waiting for Riley, what passed for the medium pack set off. Consisting of Norman, Riley, Park, Jenkinson and Wells. It didn’t last long. Norman raced off, chased by Riley. Park followed, then Jenkinson and finally Wells. Wells resorted to accompanying the Ruddock Family as they were far more sociable.
A fast pack set of some time after, with Fast Taylor, McHarry, Jackson, Stanton and Butler. This proved to be a more cohesive pack, although having a large range of abilities, and it lasted until the last couple of miles.
Delayed by a blocked motorway, Whitehead and West Samuels were kept in check by Biker Eastwood as the last to set out.
JJ and Blackshaw had contrived to find a superb route over the moors, with some wonderfully eccentric twists and turns. It started north from the pub then curved round to ascend up to the Tower. However, it didn’t take the obvious route but turned up a track below the tower, to zag back again a few yards higher to take us over some rough ground. The first of many, only drier. The Ruddock Family were caught by the medium “pack” on the climb up to the tower, and the groups re-organised.
From the tower, the trail led us down again past the Belgrave area of Darwen, then along past Height Side. Here Early Taylor was encountered, having slipped and damaged his back earlier. He later took a wrong turning and ended up at the pub having missed a section of the trail. Past Whitehall and the farm with the same name and then back on rough, and wet, ground as we headed over the moor.  We followed the gap between Darwen Moor and Turton Moor, avoiding the Witton Weavers Way to run over Turks Heads interspersed with bog. Past Cartridge Hill we then zigged and zagged past New Barn, with the pub in sight, before finally heading down to the safety of the pub.
A quick change and onto the excellent beer. It’s a small pub and we quickly overwhelmed its empty spaces. Crammed into one room, we had to negotiate to get out to order more beer, with the Hon Sec barely able to settle for a few minutes having chosen a seat in a busy corridor. The landlord had only catered for the expected 20 so had to ask for volunteers for Chilli and chips instead of the stew. There were plenty of offers and it was all sorted out. Baskets filled with chunks of bread appeared, and small tubs of butter, so we tucked in. Then the stew arrived, with pickled cabbage and onions available for addition, and more bread. Before the pudding, the dregs of the stew were available along with the leftovers of the chilli and some chips. These were eagerly consumed. Finally the Apple pie and Custard arrived and disappeared and the meal was done. The late comers, with Blackshaw, had to have their meals in a separate room as space was at a premium, but they were probably more comfortable.
After the meal we mixed some more as the beer was very good, but soon enough the drivers were itching to get going and slowly the members dispersed.
During a rare break in the consumption of victuals and fluids, a moment was found to officially elect Colin Goulan as a member. A friend of the lesser Ruddock, he runs as part of the Ruddock family and has been out with us on o good number of occasions without causing offense.
Thanks to Jocys and Blackshaw for the trail, and to the staff for their hospitality. An excellent day out.