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About Me

Winter Hill ,Horwich, UK
About Me Jake ,I am 11 years old and have Autism. This Blog is about what I can do not what I cannot,sometimes people think I cannot because I have autism ,this blog is about challenging that!I have lots of special interests, in particular running, exploring and this blog shows a small amount of what I get up to! Please be careful as some of activities I do may look easy are not , I know Winter Hill very well I can get off safely and know what to do when the weather closes in ,to keep myself safe I use high performance clothing and footwear,waterproof/ breathable/reflective/thermal layers. in layers so I keep warm and dry , I take my safety seriously and I always take care when out exploring. My dad is very experienced on the fells he is teaching me how to keep safe.I can use a map and compass, the hills can be windy , very cold, be wet , misty and boggy. STAY SAFE! check out under my link's for advice on safety from Bowland and Pennine Mountain rescue. Try my Winter Hill Challenge http://jakeofwinterhill.blogspot.com/2011/02/10-or-14-peak-courses-on-winter-hill-by.html

Saturday 27 November 2010

family walk -fairy steps, boulder climb -Walk Away V15, Beetham,near Milnthorpe, Cumbria ,snow and -3c


me and Evie in the stocks !

links to Beetham,


A small shrine to Saint Lioba (or Leoba), built into a stone wall in the nearby hamlet of Slackhead.

this is an old gate post 


limestone pavement 
looks like a giant pine cone !
through the forest -I am in the distance !

This gives some information about the fairy steps 

Note from Dad : this is not only a good walk but a famous climbing area for bouldering this has a V15(the difficulty of a boulder problem is described by the American 'V' grade system that runs fromV0- to V15)
description of a climb called Walk Away V15 - (sit start)  The middle of the wall is utterly desperate by the way !!! in fact the sit start is pretty grim ;)



Video of view from the top of the fairy steps 
looking  down the fairy steps 
looking up the fairy steps 
if you want to see the fairies you are supposed to fit through this without touching the sides but it is too narrow for dad !!
tree trunk cut for the  path 
 an old house we found 
Route taken is
http://www.sanoodi.com/routes/fairy-steps-beetham-cumbria-303720/

Animals at Lakeland Wildlife Oasis, Hale, Cumbria, in the Snow -4C

Links to Lakeland Wildlife Oasis 
Note from dad: we support the Lakeland Wildlife Oasis for their work they undertake in conservation we visit here often as we have a season ticket, 



lemur climbing 


funny bird 
it thinks we have some  food 
crested cranes 
red squirrel
hanging upside  down 
watching the Patagonian hares 

can you see the fruit bat 



video of the harvest mice 

link about the area 


Friday 26 November 2010

Spooky Wilderswood in the dark at -4 to -6 C, Winter Hill,Horwich,

Note from Dad :
Route early evening in complete darkness  -4c through to -6c with ice found on the path and rocks, we are also testing new high visibility clothing, new strobe safety equipment on a clearly defined path,  this area and route is known to me and Jake in both  poor weather conditions and at night, both Children have previously  experienced temperature's down to - 21C on a regular basis in winter when they lived abroad - basic family activities like going  to the supermarket from the car have to be done at -21C ,  Both Jake and Evie have multiple high performance layers on them to undertake this walk , we have online GPS tracking. we take our safety very seriously! Please be careful now the weather is getting colder and it is getting darker ,
some of previous Blog posts exploring in this area 
this is my new coat 

the back of my new coat -we are testing the strobe lights and the increased reflective patches 
walking  through  Wilderswood

This photo is the same doorway (looking the other way )as the Photo below - the difference being one is at  night  you need to careful - things you are familiar with look very different at night 


remember this  photo with the sheep ?


SPOOKY Wilderswood
ice on the path be careful 
me and Evie having a hot drink !


our route: 

http://www.sanoodi.com/routes/wilderswood-303656/

Wilderswood Mill
http://www.about-horwich.co.uk/horwich/Wilderswood_Mill.html

walking route's in this area
http://prestonwalkies.blogspot.com/2007/04/wilderswood-and-winter-hill.html
http://www.middle-age-shred.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=15988&start=0

Underneath this route ;)
http://www.d.lane.btinternet.co.uk/wilders1.html
http://www.d.lane.btinternet.co.uk/wilders3.html

One of our routes
http://www.sanoodi.com/routes/wilderswood-294070/

some of the Birds in this area -
http://www.manchesterbirding.com/horwichmoorssiteguide.htm

Good ideas for day time Heritage trails in this area
http://www.horwichheritage.co.uk/publications.htm

History of Rockhaven castle - old house on this site before the wood
http://www.about-horwich.co.uk/horwich/Rockhaven_Castle.html

Sunday 21 November 2010

Cranberry Moss, Bull Hill, Darwen, - Old mines,Quarries and Old Brickwork site ?.

Stone quarry
Note from Dad this was in line with the mines found later but no sign of any coal mine waste
on top of the quarry
looking towards the mines 
hot chocolate on top of a mine waste tip
can you see Darwen tower ? and me of course !

to collect water ? 
on top of a yet another  mine


mine entrances 
stone sleeper ?
to another  mine  -in line with the quarry
long stone - part of the mine ?
I love hot chocolate -see the bricks?  - another old mine 
another mine shaft
DANGEROUS BOG-KEEP OUT
Bull Hill Brickworks ?


brick kiln 
see the picture of the Bull Hill Brick from this Kiln ?

two deer can you see them ?
last of the mines we saw - we came across around 32 old mines -too many to inspect each one

reasons for this area being full of mines ?
"The Entwistles used to sink little pits on Cranberry Moss, They were what was called Darwen yard mines .just a  few yards deep, coals were bought up by windlass, and sent to Turton, there was  fighting amongst the men. Some of them were too lazy to go down for coal, but when it was brought up they would fight for its ownership"

referance to Darwen yard mines


Our route 
weather Cold  below 4c, High chill factor, Jake is now in winter grade clothing , we have changed Jakes socks to include a  waterproof /Breathable layer plus thermal layer, He has brand new Walsh PB's for increased traction.




Useful links 
Information about the River Darwen which starts on Cranberry Moss

Bull hill maternity hospital


reference to mining at Cranberry moss


fireclay accidents - mines on cranberry moss

reference to mine in this area