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~Three Bowland Fells~

16th April 2011

An unusual opportunity to explore new ground. Son, Andy, needed a lift to work in Longridge and would also need a lift home. So I contacted local explorer, Bob Eaves and arranged to meet for a walk that would occupy the bulk of the available time.

Paddys Pole

Paddy's Pole

Scroll down for photos and a description of the walk....

Loud Valley

Loud Valley

We're stood on the northern flank of Longridge Fell, mist sits in the Loud Valley. The River Loud is a tributary of the Hodder. We met in Longridge at 07:30 and then took Bob's car and parked at Jeffrey Hill and set off for the highest point, Spire Hill. The weather is difficult to interpret, glimpses of sun, but lots of mist and cloud.

Spire Hill

Spire Hill

Longridge Fell is, a long ridge, and just maybe this is how the town and the fell got its name. It took 30 minutes to get to the top.

Longridge Fell

Misty View

Looking over the edge of Longridge Fell into Loud Valley. Soon enough we were back at the car and heading for part two which would be the longer walk up Parlick and Fair Snape Fell.

Parlick

Parlick

Parlick is popular with paragliders and the like. Approx 1417ft asl and quite steep on the way up from Fell Foot.

Parlick

Parlick Ascent

We are heading in to the mist, which is a shame, but what can we do about it? Bob is a Rovers fan and I am a Clarets man, but we put our differences aside and there was no trouble.

Bob Me
Bob on top of Parlick
Me on top of Parlick

From Parlick it was a walk northwards to Fair Snape Fell. The next stop was the viewpoint of Paddy's Pole at the front of Fair Snape.

Paddys Pole

Paddy's Pole

I'll have to come back another day when the sky behaves itself. However, it's not cold, it's not windy and it's not raining.

Peat Hag

Peat Hags

The highest point is further back up the fell and we have to cross steamy peat hags. The sun is not far away and the steam is really mist drifting across the peat.

Fair Snape Fell

Fair Snape Fell

A little reminiscent of time spent on Kinder Top. Very peaty, quite boggy in places.

Fair Snape Fell

Fair Snape Fell Summit

This was the sunny bit and the highest point of the walk.

Wolf Fell

Wolf Fell

We didn't bother looking on the back of the notice, that bit about the shells was enough. It seems this was part of a firing range for tanks and stuff around the time of the 2nd World War.

Wards End

Ward's End

Our first encounter with other folk on this walk. The bump behind is Ward's End.

Parlick

Parlick over Greenlough Clough

Our descent did not take us onto Wards End, we headed back in the direction of Parlick.

Stone No34

Stone No. 34

Chipping Brook

Bob Crossing Chipping Brook

Wolfen Hall

Wolfen Hall

Parlick

Parlick

I usually see Parlick from a different angle and we had hoped that Parlick could offer me a view of Pendle Hill, but the cloudy skies prevented this. After the walk, we travelled to Chipping for a little refreshment.

Pendle Sunset

Parlick from Pendle on a different day

Cobbled Corner

The Cobbled Corner, Chipping

Walkers: Bob Eaves & Me.

Time taken: Walk One: 1hr over about 2 miles. Walk Two: 3hrs 20mins over a distance of about 6 miles.

Route: Walk one is there and back from Jeffrey Hill. Walk two is straight up Parlick from Fell Foot, nth to Fair Snape Fell and then along the track across the top of Wolf Fell to Ward's End and back across Chipping Beck to the car parking area.

Weather and conditions: Somewhat misty!

Greetings Count: Generally quiet until we met the group and then we saw a few others making their way up the fell.

Richard's Refreshment Review: Tea and snacks at The Cobbled Corner, Chipping. Open 7 days until 5pm, popular with cyclists and room for about 25 inside. Clean, with friendly service and extra water with the tea!

Later! I knew there was a steam hauled excursion coming through Burnley, so I chose somewhere to intercept the train and take a photo:

Huncoat Signalbox

Huncoat Signalbox

Due to be taken out of use and replaced by remote activation from elsewhere.

Two Trains

Two Trains Passing at Huncoat (near Accrington)

Steam Train

GWR Castle Class 4-6-0 no 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe

Well that's something you don't see everyday. This engine was withdrawn in 1963, bought from the scrapyard c.1973 and restored to working order in 2008 - 45 years after it last pulled a train. Probably the first time it has ever been on this line.

All photos copyright Richard Ratcliffe 2011 ©

Take me back to the start ....

Take me home....