Birthday Day Out

After a drive home in glorious sunshine from my Snowdonia adventures, the British weather does what it always does and the next 24 hours were highlighted by ceaseless rain. A chance for a day off to prepare for my birthday outing. Mark has a tradition of climbing hills on his birthday, a tradition I’m keen to follow. This year with all the COVID stuff we’ve made extra effort to try and meet up on birthdays as an excuse to keep the bonds of friendship strong

We’d agreed to meet a few friends up north and after some debate and booking into a hotel to break up the journey we settled on the Forest of Bowland. I should point out that we weren’t able to break up ALL the journey. We were still not allowed to stay in a hotel for anything other than “essential” reasons in England but we could stay in a hotel for leisure purposes in Wales. So we stopped off in Wrexham as the nearest place “over the border” as it were.

It was rather chilly and blustery when we parked up. As breakfast cafe’s were still shut I set up my own “pop-up” breakfast stall to cook up some fried breakfasts. Excellent start to the day.

Once we had everyone we gathered we set off, first along a splendid little edge right alongside the road – Baines Cragg.

Looking back to where we parked up and across what would be our descent route, Wards Stone, highest point in the Forest of Bowland, behind.

A surprising and very pleasant start to the hike.

The bluebells were out but they were in a private woodland. Better displays to come in walks later that week – stay tuned!

We were taking the rather fine path that runs along the base of the slopes below Clougha. It takes you over a pretty high bridge carrying water from Thirlemere to Manchester.

The path up to Clougha was greatly enlivened by a Slow Worm (a lizard rather than a snake or a worm). Very exciting to see these out in the wild.

The path up through the woods is rather nice.

We decided an early lunch stop was in order while we had some shelter among this collection of rocks.

My Birthday was greatly enhanced by home baked cakes provided by both TBF and TYG. I stuffed my face through the day as did my willing helpers.

Looking back into Windy Clough.

It’s a fine path up to Clough which has its own fine edge of gritstone.

The weather was a little grey and chilly but when you’re sharing your birthday with good friends that’s no matter. It was just great to be out with them and sharing my day.

Happy band on the summit.

Looking across to the Yorkshire Three Peaks.

Another stop was in order for second lunch so we diverted to look at the Andy Goldsworthy sculptures.

Amongst the quarries were able to find shelter again for another chance to chat, banter and eat more cake.

Zoom shot of the Three Peaks.

Sadly we were hit by a heavy shower and decided we really couldn’t be bothered to walk up to Ward’s Stone as planned. This set back was easily overcome by the sight of J making the worlds most pathetic and embarrassing attempt to put on a pair of waterproof trousers. It must have taken 10 minutes and the rain had pretty much stopped by the time she’d finished. You had to be there I guess.

We headed over Grit Fell and then headed back down towards the cars, creating a kind of figure of eight route.

Views over Morecambe Bay.

The path down through the heather was another fine one. Other than the odd person looking at the sculptures and near Clougha, this area is pretty much devoid of people.

We’d spotted what looked like a great spot for afternoon tea (that’s UF confirming it was out of the wind). Sadly just as we settled down with a cuppa it started to rain again and it was a rather rushed affair. All too soon we were back at the cars and saying our goodbyes. It been a surprisingly long walk, over 9 miles but time flies when you’re having fun. It had been a memorable birthday and a I hope to try and do the same every year now.