Two Lads ,Winter Hill, Horwich in the falling snow at -6

Note from Dad  :Please take advice/care  before going up on the Hills 

http://www.mountain.rescue.org.uk/mountain-advice

http://blogs.liverpoolecho.co.uk/aintnomountainhighenough/2010/01/snow-and-snowdonia---taking-ad.html

http://www.mountainrescue.org.uk/safety-advice

http://blog.dialaphone.co.uk/2010/11/25/new-mobile-mountain-rescue-service-–-just-in-time-for-the-snow/

http://www.boltonmrt.org.uk/go.php?page=main

http://www.bowlandpenninemrt.org.uk/safety.htm?

http://www.meteogroup.co.uk/uk/home/weather/world_weather/city_weather/city/99021/winter-hill.html?cityID=99021

the last time we were out we were just testing  the equipment ,

http://jakeofwinterhill.blogspot.com/2010/11/spooky-wilderswood-in-dark-at-4-to-6-c.html

 this time we tested the equipment, road up to this area  was clear(this is steep and single track in poor weather  - though it had patches of 2 inches of snow plus some ice, when we set back the road was completely covered in snow ,

weather was OK snow falling  -4 , medium  wind chill and snow falling ,we headed down after the weather closed in and the  snow became  heavy high  wind chill -6 c  - footprints were becoming obscured ,

If you are driving in Autumn,winter or spring  take the precaution of using cold weather tyres -they really do work !!!! I don't endorse this site but  read the advice about "winter tyres"

we got up and down to winter hill safely without a problem,

you don't want to turn up to your car tired wet and cold and unable to drive yourself out of the situation.

http://www.etyres.co.uk/bad-weather-tyres

a video of me on the way to  Two Lads

me on top of one of the tallest  Two Lads

the last time I was up here!

http://jakeofwinterhill.blogspot.com/2010/11/winter-hill-three-peaks-at-night-two.html

a  video of the snow falling down

Evie and me in the snow

Evie in the snow and a bit grumpy 

Note from Evie : I was not !

me making a snow angel 

on the way down from Two Lads

The weather got worse as we came down -the snow was in our eyes! me writing our names in the snow!

route -we know this route in the dark and poor conditions we use map and compass and GPS tracking !

http://www.mapmyrun.com/route/gb/horwich/352129140580178000

Both children had extra layers and winter grade boots -both waterproof and insulated , the slopes were covered in dry snow with fresh snow falling on top , we kept to the low incline and decent , this track does contain boulders, ridges and a quarry on one side - things which are not on the map and can cause a  injury leaving you stuck in poor weather unable to move off the hill to safety ,
http://blog.dialaphone.co.uk/2010/11/25/new-mobile-mountain-rescue-service-–-just-in-time-for-the-snow/

Fairy Battery,Turton and Entwistle reservoir,Bolton -3 to - 6c no Snow!

This is our third blog with places with the name of Fairy in them 

the other two are 

http://jakeofwinterhill.blogspot.com/2010/09/trou-des-fees-fairy-caves-virton.html

fairy caves -Trou des fees ,this was in Virton Belgium

http://jakeofwinterhill.blogspot.com/2010/11/family-walk-fairy-steps-boulder-climb.html

Fairy steps -this was in Beetham ,Cumbria 

me walking on ice 

there is water flowing underneath this ice I am staying to the safe parts !

ice crystals  

in the quarry  

can you see me ? advantage of Hi visibility clothing !

memorial bench  by Bolton Holiday fellowship

memorial bench 

http://www.hfholidays.co.uk/about-us

http://www.hfholidays.co.uk/get-involved/activity-clubs

link to Bolton's HF

memorial bench in memory to Craig Tuppen

http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/483239
http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/424991
these are better photos!!! 

 Fairy Battery, an outcrop of rock popular with climbers.  The site was the secret meeting place of non-conformist worshippers in the 17th century.  Opposite the outcrop on the other side of the stream is a quarry complex with extensive mine caverns, now filled in. - taken from Blackburn and Darwen council site 

me on top of Fairy Battery, I am being careful as there is a big drop on the other side!!!

climbing up a boulder  this was slippy and covered with ice 

very little to grip onto !

??? ditches they just seemed to be filled with water ?

bell pit -we had seen this from Cranberry moss
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/44053027
right hand side of photo

we saw  several mines around the top of Fairy Battery.
http://jakeofwinterhill.blogspot.com/2010/11/cranberry-moss-bull-hill-darwen-old.html
our last adventure was to Cranberry moss last weekend

giant icicles

some of the rock outcrops  in this area 

some of the sites about the reservoir 

http://www.lep.co.uk/lifestyle/walking_turton_and_entwistle_reservoir_1_84828

http://www.northturton.com/walks_res.html

http://www.engineering-timelines.com/scripts/engineeringItem.asp?id=767

http://wapedia.mobi/en/Entwistle,_Lancashire

http://www.entwistlefamily.org.uk/local_history.htm

http://www.unitedutilities.com/Wayohreservoirs.aspx

http://www.sanoodi.com/routes/fairy-battery-entwistle-303810/

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,

http://www.visitcumbria.com/sl/beetham.htm

http://www.heronmill.org/

http://www.northofthesands.org.uk/westmoreland/parish/9/beetham

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

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beetham

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 

http://www.visitcumbria.com/sl/beetham-fairy-steps.htm

http://www.discovercumbria.co.uk/beetham.html

http://www.mysteriousbritain.co.uk/england/cumbria/folklore/the-beetham-fairy-steps.html

http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1073997

http://www.francisfrith.com/beetham,cumbria/photos/fairy-steps-1894_34132/

http://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/crag.php?id=1407

http://lakesbloc.com/guides/fairysteps-guide.pdf

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

http://www.visitcumbria.com/sl/lakeland-wildlife-oasis.htm

http://www.wildlifeoasis.co.uk/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lakeland_Wildlife_Oasis

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 

http://www.arnsidesilverdaleaonb.org.uk/

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 ,

http://jakeofwinterhill.blogspot.com/search/label/wilderswood

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 ?

http://jakeofwinterhill.blogspot.com/2010/08/two-lads-from-wilderswood.html

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

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 

http://jakeofwinterhill.blogspot.com/2010/11/disused-turton-moor-collierybrickworks.html

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

two deer can you see them ?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/life/Roe_Deer

http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/roe-deer

last of the mines we saw - we came across around 32 old mines -too many to inspect each one

more photos on my http://www.panoramio.com/user/4875445

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"

http://www.blacksnape.co.uk/history/blacksnape.pdf

referance to Darwen yard mines

http://cottontown.org/page.cfm?LANGUAGE=eng&pageID=1251

Our route 

http://www.sanoodi.com/routes/cranberry-moss-bull-hill-darwen-303478/

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 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Darwen

Information about the River Darwen which starts on Cranberry Moss

http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=1979-11-13a.1136.5

Bull hill maternity hospital

http://www.winnersh.demon.co.uk/Family_History/fhisch1.htm

reference to mining at Cranberry moss

http://www.cottontown.org/page.cfm?LANGUAGE=eng&pageID=1261

fireclay accidents - mines on cranberry moss

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cmhrc/lom08lan.htm

reference to mine in this area