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.