I’m sitting at the true summit of Fairsnape Fell, 522m. While I eat my sandwich lunch, I enjoy clear views of the three peaks of Yorkshire. I had prepared that sandwich last night, thinking I might head to Manchester to continue my pilgrimage. I awoke this morning at 6 am, came down to make coffee and feed the kittens. Retiring back to bed and crosswords, I dozed off. The sun was streaming through my window a couple of hours later. It is too late to go to Manchester with all the faffing of buses and trains. But not too late to make the best of the day with a climb up into the Bowland Hills. A sunny forecast tempts me out.
This sign will give a clue to some as to where I’m setting off from. I buy a dozen and pop them in the car before I leave. 
A climb up to Saddle End Farm and on to the fell above. Another walker catches me and steams ahead. I plod on. The cold east wind of the last few days has been replaced by an equally cold wind from the west. My hands feel cold, but my steady progress keeps me warm. Although the Gorse and Blackthorn are in bloom below, the May has not flowered yet – hence the rural adage.
It’s wilderness up here. I pass the site of a tragedy long forgotten. The other walker in front of me probably doesn’t know the history.
On the 26th March 1962, three siblings left home and travelled by bus to Chipping and
walked over the fells, maybe to Langden Castle, on their return over Saddle Fell, they were caught in a blizzard, which resulted in the two brothers losing their lives due to hypothermia. Their sister survived to raise the alarm at Saddle End Farm. There was no Mountain Rescue Team in the area at that time, so police and locals searched with BAC loaning a helicopter to help. Shortly after this tragedy, two Mountain Rescue teams were formed in the area, the forerunners of Bowland Pennine MRT.
I mention the above because it is thought that the boys may have sheltered in a small stone hut. I remember early walks on Saddle Fell in the 70s, the hut being by the track I’m on today, its roof was almost intact.
Don’t forget I am the tortoise nowadays. And what worries me more is the story of the lost fellrunner in 2011.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-15191235
The fast walker in front of me bypasses the true summit, probably because he doesn’t know of its existence.
I take that slight diversion to the top. An extra windproof layer is added while I gaze over to Yorkshire.. 
Our weather is fickle. not often that one can walk in a straight line between the two Fairsnape summits, the peat would swallow you up. But after three weeks of dry weather, the going is ‘good to firm’ and I make progress towards the western summit, with its cairn, shelter, trig point and people. It is a popular destination, and today I meet people from further afield, Easter holidaying. They are all in praise of our Lancashire hills. And all is good with clear views across Morecambe Bay and beyond. 
Gliders swoosh past, making the most of the uplift from Bleasdale. 
It’s a grand romp along the skyline to outwit Parlick by that rake traversing right. 
More and more people are coming up, but I’m soon down out of the wind at Fell Foot. There is a bit of a rough stretch before open fields past secretive Wolfen Hall, with Pendle and Longridge Fell across the way. 
I always enjoy the little valley of the infant Chipping Brook. Today in the plantation, Bird Cherries stand out. 
I cut across fields with gambling lambs to reach my car – a walk far greater than its parts. Uplifting, wilderness, skylarks and sunshine. I’m ready for the rest of the year now, and I have the eggs for my supper.
***
A grand place to be on a fine day.
I bet it’s a bit boggier up there now after some heavy rain on Good Friday.
We missed most of the rain thankfully.
Another tortoise here. The may is out here so of course I have cast all my clouts. Well not quite all but my thermals are mostly retired for the season.
We are always a bit behind up here. In more ways that one.
Certainly turned nippy again. That fast walker wasn’t me by the way. I’m modelling my pace more on the tortoise these days. Your photographs have me hankering after a visit to Bowland. We recently lost a fellow hiker around Tockholes, still unaccounted for, and the search called off. It’s a sobering thought that even in modern times we can still disappear without trace.
Yes, I read about that missing hiker, hadn’t realised he hasn’t been found.
It is a quandry for me as to whom to inform of my whereabouts. I often go out alone on a whim. I now leave a note on the kitchen table as to my destination. My family would find that befrore they found me, but it would give them an idea where to look.
I suppose I could use our family Whatsap? Will broach that idea with them.
Bowland is at its best in spring.
And the hens are laying! Those I got from Bleasedale last year were superb.
I know we can let others track our phones, but I don’t know how well that works in remote areas, where we’re likely to go missing.
The eggs are excellent- just made a Spanish omelette.
I just go solo most of the time.
Don’t worry about me.
The gorse and blackthorn are stunning. But be careful up on those fells. The family WhatsApp does sound a good idea. 👍🌼
I appreciate your concenrs but will probaly carry on regarless. Best of wishes.
Haha, yep you probably will. 🙂
I have recently been leaving a coy of my route with son W.. I use iPhone Memory Map during the walk but print off a paper copy of the route from my OS Memory Map on the computer just in case the tech fails. One advantage of the paper copy is being able to have OS much enlarged.
What a lovely walk. Much better than your original Mcr option. You didn’t mention curlews though. Any about? I was up in the Hodder/Ribble valleys in late March but didn’t hear any, despite intent listening. It was probably too cold/early then.
Didn’t hear many birds, it was windy and cold. I have seen curlews and lapwings last week up at Burholme Bridge next the Hodder.
And just today the Great Crested Grebes have returned to one of the local reservoirs.
That’s very encouraging.
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Some interesting comments and text, on which I’ve just caught up.
Sue has an idea that we can use our mobile phones to allow each other to know our respective locations at any time.
A bit depressing with dogs off leads, high fences, felled trees, etc. Living near the city centre seems to have advantages in some respects as such problems are minimal and there are lots of good people who make it their business to collect litter. There are also good walking routes (if not hills) exemplified by the GM Ringway Trail.
Happy Easter.
M
Quite a few of my friends have the locations tagged to their mobiles so that whoever is watching them can see where they are. All very Orwellian to my mind but probablt sensible.
Lovely photos
Thanks, it is a grand round.