I’ve been up the fell, as usual, this time hoping to get a festive shot for you. I failed. Maybe JD should have worn a Santa hat. We missed that photo opportunity.

It turned out to be a better day than we had envisaged. I promised sunshine all day, but the morning started misty and damp. Our first phone conversation at 9.30 am ended by “let’s speak again at 10.30” Time for another coffee in bed for me and time for him to complete the Times Cryptic Crossword in record time. By 10.30 there was blue in the sky, at least at my end of Longridge. He can see the Bowland Fells from his house and said they were clearing.

We drove up to the parking at Intack. There were lots of cars on the road side. We settled for the rough spot above Crowshaw Quarry, no climbing today in the greasy conditions. A large pile of retrieved doggy bags by the gate greeted us, lovely. At least somebody, I imagine the foresters, are collecting them for later disposal. Let’s not get bogged down with environmental problems – it is the season of good will. My good will extended to the half dozen dog walkers (all dogs are innocent) we passed in the first half mile, after that we never met a soul.

We left the main track to get us to the modest trig point, but what a view as we crested the ridge and peered down into Chipping Vale with the Bowland Hills stately in the background. OK we encountered a bit of mud on the way. The last time we attempted to follow the ridge eastwards fallen trees were a problem. (I can’t remember the name of the storm) They still are, be prepared to take lots of diversions in the forest. Blue dots have appeared intermittently on trees showing a way of sorts.

Eventually we emerged from the trees onto the forest road. It was good to see that this has now been reopened and the the timber cut up ready for collection. Easy walking took us around the loop before plunging down the little path through new growth, more Christmas Trees than you could imagine. The beech wood was looking a bit bedraggled with recent topplings and decay which had me hunting down fungi once more.

As we strolled back along the road clouds were coming in  – we had had our window of sunshine.  The forecast is poor to say the least so I don’t think I will be out much before Christmas therefore …

All the very best to anyone reading and here’s to a more peaceful 2024.

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