~Widdop Rocks~
22nd May 2012
The Rocks
Scroll down for photos and a description of the walk....
The Thursden Valley
This scene lies about five miles from home and this is Eastest Lancashire, just over the watershed is Westest Yorkshire. You can see the road over the hill which I will take en route to Widdop Reservoir.
Black Clough
This road over the moors has been lined with hundreds of rocks, not so much to stop folk driving over the edge, but in an attempt to stop stolen cars being pushed off the road and into the valley. Black Clough drains water off Lad Law (Boulsworth).
Burnt-Out Car
Here's one that got through. Apart from the criminal element and environmental issues, every time a car is seen over the edge, someone has to come along and check there are no victims; someone else comes along to recover the vehicle.
Widdop Reservoir
The rocks on the far side are the subject of my short walk this evening. The edge is referred to on maps as Chudders Slack.
Pennine Tors
Widdop Reservoir
There is parking close to the reservoir, which is full and overflowing - that is the reservoir, not the car park.
Rock Climbers
Two rock climbers give some scale to the size of the outcrops.
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Boulderscape |
Boulders |
Rock Drama
Upon the rock face in the left picture is a perched boulder, which I'm going to see. On the right, several huge boulders have tumbled down the hillside and boulderers have assembled with their mattresses for some rock challenges. Either that, or they've come for a rest.
The Perched Boulder
The boulder is sat on top of the tor at an angle of about 20 degrees. Smaller rocks underneath appear to have stabilised its position. I can't offer scale here, but I couldn't get up there with confidence due to the angle of the rock and the narrowness of the rim around the boulder.
Greedy Rock Eats House!
Ropeman
The Perched Boulder (again)
Yes, it's the same one. Assuming I've held the camera straight (unlikely!), then the situation looks precarious....
Sunset on Widdop Reservoir
I was slightly disappointed with the gentle breeze upsetting the water's surface. There's no pleasing some folk!
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Two Meadow Pipits (possibly)
Definately two; possibly Meadow Pipits, I use the "RSPB Bird Identifier" if none of my learned ornithologist friends are present. I also saw a lapwing which escaped the searching lens. An owl flew over as I drove home and two kestrels were hovering over the moors.
Pendle Sunset
This short walk location is just eight miles from home, roughly the same driving distance to Barley for my Pendle walks. I haven't measured the walk distance etc., it was just a pleasant hour or so in the evening sunshine.
Take me back to the start ....