Pendleton. Tuesday 16th. December 2014

The heavy shower many of us had driven through, on the way to the start, had finally passed over and the question was, do we put on waterproofs or dare we risk it without? So it was as our group of 22 left the village of Pendleton, some were in cagoules and some not. Initially we headed in a southerly direction along the quiet country lane, inappropriately named Pendleton Road, as far as Cold Costs, where we almost turned back on ourselves and began the gradual ascent towards Pendle Hill. The route we took went via Wymondhouses to the Nick of Pendle, then with an ever increasing tail wind, over Apronfull Hill and a misty Ogden Clough to the summit at the Big End of Pendle. Here, just over the summit and sheltered from the breeze, we had lunch, taking in the views as the mist drifted by.

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After lunch it was a bit of a shock to the system leaving our sheltered spot for a summit photo. We therefore didn't need much encouragement to zip up our windproofs, don hats and gloves, and get on with the walk, initially across the moor, then along the edge to the Scout Cairn that overlooks the Ribble Valley. From there we left the edge and, with fine views before us, headed steeply downhill towards Angram Green. Not only did we lose height, but to the relief of the faint hearted we also lost the cool raw breeze that had been in our faces along the top. A short muddy section appropriately near the bottom, was enough to catch out, not once but twice, one of our lady members (to be nameless) who makes a habit of testing some very muddy bits sat on her BTM! Back now on more level ground, we passed through the ancient Little Mearley Hall, then Mearley Hall and Pendleton Hall back to our cars in Pendleton Village. The walk was 10 miles or so in length and the rain just about managed to stay away.

Stan.