December 2022
On the second day the weather was again perfect for a winter walk and yesterday had inspired me to further explore some of the lesser known paths around Sunnyhurst and Darwen Hill.
Resisting the urge to climb up to the tower I made my way along Sunnyhurst Hey
Once again getting distracted and photographing the snow on the trees
Blue skies and sunshine the best tonic for winter blues
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV6pkF4xp7G3OCU51S_JOOIgjL-Bui2Qz6xK6XHuNINb8f7dsNC4GiqQCQxI1EziG4mBP_Ozxi8HA2N-UnNTn8IBnfdLcZFRf3G3i_QFXA3GyH45uX-6QeJtGv_BCFnJM_r2plSrGePusBkqVS21Pxxhs1vM4Qq6ZXClhdh6UTdltw7fDnyuPapfKI/s16000/D%20Snowy%20Lane.jpg)
At the top of the track up from Ryal Fold
I was retracing my steps from yesterday because it had given me the idea for a new/different route for the running club I belong to 'Clayton le Moors Harriers'. We run from a different location every week and it was soon to be my turn to lead a run from the Sunnyhurst Pub.
Back on track after reconnoitring for my run I stopped on the embankment of Sunnyhurst Hey for a hot drink and to enjoy the winter sunshine
while I sat there a Kestrel landed on a fence post.
I had just managed to grab a shot of the Kestrel when a Barn Owl flew right between us, I spun round and snapped a photo as he flew past, but when I turned back the Kestrel had also flown.
I was soon joined by a Robin
I thought perhaps he had come down to scrounge some crumbs from my biscuits
but he just went busily about his own business
whilst keeping a beady eye on me
As the last of the winter walkers made their way back, I too decided it was time to go home and close another chapter on a great winters day in the West Pennines.