After my glorious day in Bowland yesterday, I was content to potter around the house today. After breakfast, I lost myself in an hour-long video depicting the climbing scene in Llanberis over the last 50 years or so. And what an anarchic scene it was, with lots of interesting characters involved, but that won’t necessarily interest you. If, however, you are curious – https://www.ukclimbing.com/videos/categories/trad_climbing/adra-6479
Another cup of coffee is being enjoyed when the phone rings. It is JD suggesting a walk up to Spire Hill (Longridge Fell to you). “It is less than 10 miles, and we will be back before it rains at 4 o’clock”. I rarely turn down an offer of a walk with good company; I’m just grateful that friends still include me. “I’ll be round to your house in 20 minutes“
My day sack is ever ready, packed with the necessaries. All I need to add is some water and snacks.
JD lives towards the top of Longridge, and it is only a short drive to the edge of the village to start the walk. It is breezy but not as cold as yesterday, so I don’t need any extra layers this time. The lane is familiar territory, and we chat the time away. Before long, we reach the Newdrop Inn crossroads, the inn is now closed and converted into residential units, but it will always be the Newdrop to us.
A little further, we leave the road to walk past a small reservoir and through rough moorland. Our attention is taken by a Roe Deer buck bounding across the land. I doubt whether my phone camera will catch it. And there is another. Their white posteriors are so prominent—magic moments.
Joining the lane, we climb higher onto the fell, now on rough ground. The land owner up here is courting controversy with drainage ditches, tree felling and worst of all, a six-foot boundary fence topped off with two unnecessary barbed wires—just the height for that lovely deer to rip open its belly.
Passing on, we weave through all the fallen trees. There is devastation on this part of the forest caused by recent storms.
Our goal is not far away now. We have a break at the trig point and watch a Peregrine fly past.
More walkers arrive, several with dogs off the lead. Not good news for ground-nesting birds, notices clearly advise the correct etiquette. But I find some dog owners self-endowed.
It’s downhill all the way on the lane past the golf club, and we reach the car as the first drops of rain appear.
A simple walk over familiar territory to that good viewpoint, Spire Hill, 350m. When walking with someone and chatting away, I don’t take many photographs, which may be a good thing. Here are a few.
The lane leading to the fell, seen high above.
There is a sheep in there somewhere.
The Newdrop.
A blurry buck, well camouflaged, except for his white rump.
This stately pine could become one of my favourite trees, I have several.
The new lord of the manor’s gates…
…and his welcoming signs.
That lethal barbed wire fence.
Picking a way through storm damage.
Spire Hill trig,350m, with the Bowland Fells in view.
Identifying Wood Sorrel.
***
Our route from the village. 
A good walk BC, I assume this wasn’t today as there’s hardly been a cloud in the sky anywhere. I like the ball of fluff that passes for a sheep, very cute.
I’ve been in Morecambe again today – a good day but a nightmare coming home. Sliproad to the M6 closed from near the Bay Gateway, diversion through Lancaster but stop/start traffic for miles, I ended up coming down into Conder Green then through Cockerham to get to Garstang otherwise I would still have been there. Seems there was a bad accident between J33 and J34 in which a young lad died, the whole motorway was closed and the knock-on effect was the nose-to-tail I got stuck in.
Yes that walk was a couple of days ago.
I heard about the chaos on the M6, it’s becoming a recurring event. Glad you reached home safely.
Morecambe is normally an hour’s drive for me – it took me three to get home 🙁
Lovely to spy the Roe Deer 🦌 , love the camaflaged pic of him.
The camouflage was mainly due to my poor phone camera.
Well I like it anyway 😁
It’s good to have walking buddies nearby. Mine all live some distance away so impromptu walks aren’t really possible. With “proper” retirement finally approaching, perhaps its time to find a local walking group.
You do very well with your solo escapades. Walking in a group is a different experience. I’m lucky with a close circle, ever diminishing, with the same ideals for partnering up.
Yes, the group walks I’ve done are quite different and definitely has downsides when I’m used to going at my own pace, stopping when I feel like it and changing my route if the fancy takes me. But sometimes a bit of company and conversation is nice.
A fine looking tree – and sheep. Looks too fancy and well groomed for a Swaledale. 🙂
No idea what the breed is.
Good to find another tree to follow; it’s not far from my ‘Grim up North’ tree, which was cut down by the barbed wire landowner. Let’s hope this one survives.