Mon 2 Jan 2017
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Parlick Pike from Saddle Fell
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It was very frosty, but in brilliant sunshine, as Andrew and I set off for Chipping and thence to the car park on the road to Fell Foot Farm. As yet there was only a small number of other vehicles there. We passed by Wolfen Hall, where the path is very muddy most of the year, down over Chipping Brook.
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Chipping Brook
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At Saddle End the farmer was sorting his sheep. Those which were going to produce three lambs in March were being taken to lower land where they would give birth in more safety. One had four foetuses. The sheep were cross-breeds, Swaledale and either a Blue-faced Leicester or a Suffolk (I can't remember what the farmer said).
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Sheep at Saddle End
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It's tough living on Saddle Fell
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We proceeded up the fell track on Saddle Fell and crossed the fence on to Wolf Fell, meeting a few people coming down as well as being overtaken by others.
On the ridge we strayed a little too far north to actually pass over the cairn which marks the true summit of Fair Snape, but there is another stile which, by dint of careful navigation where there is only a faint path, we arrived at Paddy's Pole. This overlooks not only the Bleasdale area, but the whole of the Fylde as far as the Irish Sea.
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The shelter at Paddy's Pole
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The shelter has clearly been rebuilt since the last time I was there, and where several groups of walkers were gathered. We ate lunch, trying unsuccessfully to keep our hands warm, and then took some photos. We then set off for Parlick.
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Parlick Fell from the shelter
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Just before the depression between the two heights a beautiful blue and red glider startled us, just a few feet above our heads. It must have been wonderful for the pilot, gliding smoothly and silently over the tops of the fells. We tried to take photos as he banked and turned and flew by several times, but against the strong low sun it proved difficult with cameras that have no viewfinder. I fully understand why Colin and John insisted on theirs having one!
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The glider between Fair Snape and Parlick
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So quiet; so peaceful
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The dip between Fair Snape and Parlick
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The summit of Parlick Pike
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After we visited Parlick's summit cairn we started down on a very steep slope towards the farm, and thence down the road where there were now a couple of dozen cars parked in addition to Andrew's.
An excellent walk, on what I think of as my home fells!
Bonus!
I walked also on 4 January just to keep my legs working but didn't include it in the blog. To keep it in the correct sequence I need to add it here because Blogger keeps the order from the date the post is added.
I went to Delph Lane, the first time with the camper, and walked only up to the summit of the top track. The sun was bright and the views as lovely as ever, especially over Fair Snape and Parlick where Andrew and I had been on Monday. Little wind, but the air was cold. It took longer than expected, and so was late back home at 4.35
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Bleasdale
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INDEX
