We've got off lightly

Wed. 1st Dec 2010

     Like most areas in the British Isles we've had some snow, here in NE Lancashire we've got off lightly because we're sheltered by the Pennines from the blast of Siberian air which always dumps the snow more to the east.... saying that as write this blog the snows fairly coming down, with this very cold weather our pheasant has returned for its second winter in and around our garden he most know he's going to be well fed. Yesterday we had an exhilarating walk into the keen wind that was blowing across the local fields near to our house, I've tried to capture a few images that portray the onset of winter.

                               Looking east to the Pennines

                          Snow sculptures on the dry stone walls

                                       Bouldsworth Hill

                         Wind sculptures in the frozen snow

                                    Sunset 3.30 pm

Ten sunny miles

Sun 28th Nov. 2010

                             Today's walk was on our doorstep being never more than 5 miles from most of our homes. It's a walk that I've that done a few times but on the return homeward we ensured that we'd walk on some of the more obscure paths to give us different views that we wouldn't normally see. We've been lucky with the weather in our area missing the snowfalls and only having a dusting. Today it was gloriously sunny but cold -7c at the start of the walk and never getting above zero all day. Not a lot to see on the nature side, a couple of Dippers on the hill streams, 3 Roe Deer, a couple of Snipe and a flock of Fieldfare. The walk was just over 10 miles the day being very invigorating in the cold frosty air.

                         Walking above the Amergill Valley

              The highest part of the walk the top of Weets Hill 1300ft.

             Looking north up Ribblesdale with Pen-Y-Ghent to the right

                                          Pendle Hill

                                     The distant Howgill Fells

Blacko Tower a local landmark with the town of Nelson in the background

                       The view towards Foulridge, on our way back

 Slipper Hill Res. one of the many feeder Reservoirs for the Leeds-Liverpool Canal
 

           

Snow flurries on the Fells

Monday 22nd Nov 2010

                 The weather yesterday was much colder with a keen NE wind so it was a case of keep moving or your cold. The walk on the Bowland Fells up Parlick Hill then along the ridge to Fair Snape Fell (the height about 1700 ft) was about 6 miles .In the distant North Wales was just visible and through the binoculars the Isle of Anglesey could just be seen very faintly.Throughout the walk we had our first snow showers of the winter, not a lot to see naturewise just a few Red Grouse but a least we got out.

            Prepairing for lunch, the dry stone wall giving good shelter from the keen NE wind

                            Striding out towards the summit

                               On the summit of Fair Snape Fell

                   The walk back via the valley below Bleasdale Fell

A walk in limestone countryside to Catrigg Force

Tues 16th Nov. 2010

       Because of all the wet weather during the past few days our walk on Sunday was in the drier limestone area around Settle in the upper Ribble valley.This upland area to the east and north east of Settle is much drier because of the limestone's free draining soil. The length of the walk ....71/2 miles.

                                    The view back to Pendle Hill

Victoria Cave ....Animal bones have been found dating back 130,000 years and in more recent times after the last Ice Age, Brown Bear and Reindeer bones and a 11,000 years old antler harpoon point was found with evidence of the first people of the Yorkshire Dales living in the cave.

 Looking northwest to the snow covered Lake District fells in the distance to the left of the hills

                          The unmistakable outline of Pen-Y-Ghent

             Catrigg Force where the water plunges down into the gorge

Catrgg Force

                      The bridleway down to the village of Stainforth

                                           Stainforth

Weather Window

Thursday 11th Nov.2010
                                    How can three days be so different weather wise ? Monday was cold with gales and driving rain and sleet and on the higher hills in our Pennines.... snow, today we're back to the same old weather except it's milder this morning it's 7c. Yesterday was a gem of a day with almost unbroken sunshine, very little wind and excellent visibility, so Audrey and myself did a brisk walk to the top of Pendle Hill 1831 ft, we were rewarded with extensive views of the surrounding Pennine fells and clear views of the Lake District mountains and these mountains are at least 50 miles away. This gave me the opportunity of trying out the telephoto end of my new camera.

                              Pendle Hill from Newchurch in Pendle

                           The shortest route to the top

                 The distant central mountains of the Lake District

                    Telephoto of the Central Fells of the Lake District

                         Telephoto of the Eastern Lake District Fells

                                     Telephoto of Ingleborough

                                   Telephoto of Pen-y- Ghent

        Across the dales to the snow covered summit of Great Whernside

                                       Great Whernside

                             Me looking rather dishevelled

                   Looking S.E. over the towns of Nelson & Colne

                          A final view across the Ribble Valley

                          Back down to the village of Barley