IAN Pickup chose an enigmatic title for the walk he led for Bury Ramblers last Sunday - The Druid's Altar and Lady Blantyre's Stone. Bingley would have sounded more prosaic, the countryside around that West Yorkshire town being the venue for the walk.

We started from the typical West Yorkshire village of Harden, in bright sunshine. It was cold and exposed on Harden Moor where one of the group became temporarily misplaced. Re-grouped, we walked by Harden Beck through the pretty Goitstock Wood. We enjoyed the rocky scramble by the waterfall there.

After lunch we crossed a golf course and reached Bingley, continuing alongside the River Aire, before the main climb of the day up Marley Brow. Here we encountered the Druid's Altar, a large flat rock outcrop. Various theories were discussed concerning the origin of the name. Lady Blantyre's Stone soon followed - another large rock on the former St Ives estate, it was the favourite resting place of the said lady over a period of around 50 years during the 19th Century. A stone plaque tells the whole story.

After a short descent, we were soon back in Harden. Thank-you Ian for leading a walk in an area we have not visited before.

On the Sunday after Easter weekend we have a coach trip to Ulverston and the South Lakes. A few tickets are still available from Brian Seabourne on 0161 764 6009.

J.A.