Winter In The West Pennines (Day 2)

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

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.

and so back up Dragon Hill

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

and 

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.

Winter In The West Pennines (Day 1)

December 2022

The last blog I wrote was in 2015, it was about a walk I did along the The Cleveland Way, a long distance footpath in the North York Moors. In the meantime work and other commitments prevented me from posting other blogs. However having recently retired I have the time and the opportunity to resume blogging again.   

Retired - Yeah!!!

I wrote my first blog back in 2011and my first foray into blogging "Its Grim Up North" was based on an evening walk on Darwen Moor, so it seemed fitting to re-start blogging again in this corner of The West Pennine Moors, as it is where I live.


After a very mild Autumn, cold air from the Arctic pushed down over the UK and for about 10 days in December 'high pressure' meant that daytime temperatures struggled to rise above freezing and overnight temperatures dropped to lows of -10C. Of course now being retired the opportunity to go out and enjoy this fine weather, albeit very cold, was irresistible.

I started my walk in Sunnyhurst Woods and made my way up to the reservoir which was Sunnyhurst Hey.



A lot had changed since I took this photograph for my first blog, i.e. water.


Sunnyhurst Hey Reservoir constructed in 1875 but in recent years problems with the embankment due to poor construction were considered too expensive to repair, so the reservoir was drained and made into a wetland and moorland nature reserve.



I continued on my walk but didn't get far before I was distracted by the beautiful effects created by the cold weather and snow.

 Winter Images.

I pressed on climbing up above Stepback Brook, which is believed to have got it's name because in this place during the Civil War, Oliver Cromwell gave the command to his troops to "step back and go no further" during bad weather.

Continuing up and over Dragon Hill with great views over The Forest of Bowland.

Earnsdale Reservoir

Bleasdale bathed in winter sunshine

On Cartridge Hill the snow had stuck and frozen onto the barbed wire fence

but it was the distant views that caught my eye again

Great Hill

Winter Hill

Cloud was moving in and the light was fading so it was time to start making my way down off the moor.

Looking back at Stepback Plantation and the trees at the top of it's brook

Back at Sunnyhurst Hey (wetlands) I just managed to catch the afterglow as the sun set below the clouds, a great finish to a great winters walk on the moor.