The Flowers of Gorse, Bright and Bold, Paint the Landscape with Strokes of Gold Also known as ‘furze’ or ‘Whin’, Gorse, Ulex europaeus, is an exceedingly spiny evergreen shrub with an abundance of aromatic yellow flowers and a familiar sight across the Northwest of England, from the windswept mountainsides of the Lake District to theContinue reading “The Wild and Yellow Bloom of Gorse”
Tag Archives: #Uplands
Admiring the Barns and Walls of Northwest England
The Northwest of England is home to some remarkably beautiful landscapes, shaped over millennia by traditional farming practices.
It is a part of the world famous for its ancient drystone walls and barns, built from the bones of the land and woven seamlessly into its very fabric in such a way that manmade and natural complement each other.
Kestrels over Pendle, a jaunt around the ‘Nick
Here’s a few photos from a little jaunt around Pendle yesterday, we walked from the Nick ‘O Pendle across to the fell above the Wellsprings, to the quarry and then downhill to Sabden past Churn Clough reservoir. The path down to Sabden, shortly after taking this shot we saw a Kestrel flying overhead, it mayContinue reading “Kestrels over Pendle, a jaunt around the ‘Nick”
Closer to Home, Exploring the History around our Town; Hambledon Firing Range
I’ve poked and peered into all sorts of corners in my history articles, from Abbeystead to Whalley and everywhere between, but feel that I’ve overlooked some of the historical locations closer to home, around the towns of Padiham and Hapton where I live and work. With this in mind I set out the other dayContinue reading “Closer to Home, Exploring the History around our Town; Hambledon Firing Range”
Drystone Walling at Harwes Farm
My wife is very good at choosing unique and fun presents, she has a knack for knowing what people like. For Christmas she organised a day out for me drystone walling at Harwes farm, situated high on the hills above the town of Colne, on the Lancashire/Yorkshire border. Harwes farm is a CIC, a CommunityContinue reading “Drystone Walling at Harwes Farm”
Skiing for Sheep, Chapter Two
On the western flank of Pendle, in a rather peculiar location that I can only surmise was chosen for its spectacular views, is one of the Ribble valley’s most unique and venerable sports venues, Pendle Ski Club. At the time of this story (1995) we were members and used the facilities quite a lot. (WeContinue reading “Skiing for Sheep, Chapter Two”
Northwest Walks: From the Nick to the Top and back again
Great Pendle Hill and Penyghent, and lofty Ingleborough,Ye will not find three grander hills and trace old England thorough Nick O’ Pendle to the summit and back This walk starts at the little car park on the apex of the Nick O’ Pendle road from Clitheroe to Sabden, just up from Pendle Ski Club andContinue reading “Northwest Walks: From the Nick to the Top and back again”
Skiing for Sheep, Chapter One
In January 1995 a snowstorm hit the North of England causing chaos in some parts of the region. Six people lost their lives in the ferocious blizzards, which were much earlier and more severe than forecast, villages and farms were cut off and thousands were stranded unable to make their way home. At the timeContinue reading “Skiing for Sheep, Chapter One”
Northwest Nature and History 