~Pendle Hill~
4th July 2012
Pendle Shelter
Scroll down for photos and a description of the walk....
Pendle Hill from Roughlee |
Blue Sky! |
I've been searching for 4-letter expletives that could be used on here to describe the recent weather, but not offend viewers. Dire, ugly, rain, grey, cool, damp ... can you think of any others? The first time since 2001 that I have not had at least one camping trip in the month of June. Recent Saturdays have been washouts, hence not much to report on here. Here on 4th July, the clouds parted to reveal blue sky and a little sunshine, so Pendle beckoned. Two "Pendles" last week, went unreported due to a serious level of dullness and potential viewer disinterest.
Roadside Start
The chances of remaining dry are slim. Cloud is rolling off the top and to the south a dark sky threatens more rain. It's 19:35hrs and I decide to carry a waterproof.
Male Wheatear
Black Moss Reservoirs
Mixed Messages
A bit of blue sky, a shining white piece of cloud and darkness to the south.
To The Summit
A young lady with dog are ahead of me and heading for the summit. I chose to head across the plateau to the "Clitheroe" side to see if I could find some sunshine beyond the felltop mist.
Misty Sunshine |
It's Raining! |
As I made my way across the top, the sun appeared and the rain started.
Sky Drama on Pendle Hill
Looking over Clitheroe, there is a mixture of sunshine, cloud, mist and rain.
The Ribble Valley
I knew I had taken a gamble walking over to the western edge of Pendle Hill, but the views were interesting and the rain seemed to ease, even stop for a short period of time.
The Shelter
The round shelter is the only one of its kind on Pendle Hill. A roof would have been handy; the rain resumed and intensified, it was one of those "heavy and slow moving" showers. I soon realised that the shelter was not keeping me dry, so I set off along the edge of the summit plateau to reach the familiar territory of the stile and steps. Photography suspended as I proceeded to get a good soaking.
Obligatory Summit Photo
Dull Day: June 27th Summit Photo
Roadside: 1hr 6mins; dull.
Duller Day: June 30th Summit Photo
Roadside, 1hr 17mins, duller & damper.
So, three Pendles in the last eight days. Good for the legs and the lungs, less appealing to the eyes.
Pendle Sheep
Those horns would really annoy me, if I was a sheep.
Walkers: Just Me.
Time taken: 2hrs over a distance of about 4 miles.
Route: Roadside, up the steps, to the "Clitheroe" side, back along the edge, to the summit, down the track.
Weather and conditions: Warm, dry declining to very wet.
Greetings Count: Just the lass and the dog ahead of me, no greetings as such - then nobody else at all.
Richard's Refreshment Review: Not today.
Take me back to the start ....