THE BATTLE OF WOUNDED KNEE

FAIRSNAPE FELL  7 Miles

Walkers :- Danny, Jim C, Jim D, John W, 

                 Vic, Martin, Harry, John R.

Leaving Chipping behind we drove to the foot of Parlick Fell before parking up. As we prepared to leave the cars and set of on our walk  Martin slipped and grazed his knee quite badly, First Aid was administered and off we went. 

Looks like John's GPS is causing him some concern.

 A concrete road led us towards Wolfen Hall. As we passed by , environmentally aware electricians were preparing to bury the overhead electric cables.

 Behind us you see the electricians to the right is the newly dug ditch for the cables

 As we pass Wolfen Hall, Parlick Pike our final target, can be seen looming in the background.  The first part of the walk takes us away from it.

 
As we passed the Hall, (merely a large farm building) the ground, inevitably this summer, proved to be wet and boggy before the footpath led us steeply into an almost "Secret" valley where a hidden bridge took us over a small stream and up a steep bank on the opposite side.

      Harry and ? crossing an overgrown bridge

A few minutes later we arrived at Ward's End farm. Here our real climb would begin. However, we first needed a stop for refreshment. 

For the following hour or so we plodded steadily upwards. No really steep climbs but nonetheless (to the author at least) fairly challenging.  Just before we arrived at the top of Saddle Fell we stopped for a well earned break. Time to have lunch and a drink and checkout Martin's "Poorly" knee. 

 Off again and before long we arrived at a kissing gate at the head of a small but deeply incised gully. Shortly after this we  were once again led astray by a beguiling but treacherous offer.  Rather than the expected stretch of rough moorland a newly constructed and almost sumptuous footpath lay before us. "Follow that." said our glorious ( and misguided leader - that's ME dear reader ! )

"Follow the yellow Brick Road"

The "Yellow Brick Road" led us confidently forward in the direction we needed. Here I must plead mitigating circumstances or at least offer an explanation of the mistake which was to follow. A mist obscured the horizon and well known landmarks were not visible to guide us on the true path. So, when we came to the next kissing gate,  two paths led away from it. One a clearly marked and well trodden one. The other barely noticeable. Guess which was the right one !!! NOT the one we followed.  This one just got better and better. Had we listened carefully i feel convinced we would have heard voices from the mist - "Follow me , Fools !  Follow Follow ! "

By the look on the faces the mist was not just in the air.

By the time we arrived at a section of the path which was actually FLAGGED and had STEPS suspicions were beginning to grow. This did not feel like Fairsnape terrain. At this point JIM C came to the rescue. With John's GPS mysteriously out of action, Jim's Super Duper phone had an "app" with a map showing salient points.  Backtrack along the M6 (Moorland Motorway) and hopefully now heading in the right direction. 

This time we took the lesser path which took us through an area of peat "hags" and boggy pools before bringing us to a still mist shrouded track which much to the leaders relief he recognised as the one connecting Fairsnape to Parlick.  Clearly in the distance could be seen "Paddy's Pole" marking the summit of Fairsnape. 

 
Our destination lay in the opposite direction. Danny, John R, and Jim C, however, declared that they would like to visit the pole and so leaving the others to finish their flasks they left the group and walked into the distance. They were soon back, bringing with them "Testimonial" photos.

 This newly reconstructed shelter leads me to wonder if the "Yellow brick road " might eventually have brought us to it  ????

All together again we set of along the path towards Parlick our final destination.  As we walked the sun was trying to hoover up the mist and we began to get tantalising  glimpses of the promised "Fabulous Views".  We moved freely down this track but at one point Jim C caught his foot and fell to the ground, He was quickly up with no harm sustained and we continued till we arrived at the narrowest  point on the neck of land joining Parlick to the main bulk of the Bowland Fells. Here at "Nick's Seat", a very draughty wind gap, we took a short breather and discussed our approach to Parlick -- UP it or ROUND it ? indecision !

We soon arrived at the foot of the final short but steep climb to the top of Parlick where we once again split up with a smaller group opting to follow the contours round Parlick whilst a larger group set off straight up. Here we are "Splitting up".

The larger group quickly arrived at the top of Parlick and after a brief stay to admire the emerging views began the steep descent to the cars below.  Not far down they came to the track which the other group were following ROUND the fell. Here the whole group reassembled before continuing down the knee-wreckingly steep slope

Just before before we got going again we had to await the arrival of two of the contour-following party. Their arrival was announced by a sharp yell, whereupon all eyes were turned to where a horizontal figure was moving rapidly several inches above the ground before hitting the ground with a jarring bump to lie sprawling in the grass and reeds. It was Vic.  It was rumoured that an attempt to "Finish Him Off" took place "It's the kindest thing" someone said. There is not an iota of truth in this. It was his own stick, having been stuck in the ground as help was given, that fell down and clobbered the back of his head.  ( 'onest !")

  "Was it a bird ? Was it a plane ? Was it dead ???  No  it was a "Super-Vic" rather shocked but still with us.

"Vic was helped carefully to his feet and after a few minutes to recover the downward journey continued. Our bionic member(s) moved slowly and carefully down the everchanging surface of this steep slope. New knees are not to be treated lightly.

 

Down, Down, Down. At the first junction on the road you can see below, the cars await.

And so back to the cars. But who is this we see through the bars of the gate, sitting, as if tired, by the side of the road ?

I don't believe it. It's the Penwortham Powerhouse. Not taking a rest surely ?  Is he losing his fabled  powers ? 

 The walk ended with the usual consumption of shandy supplied, generously as usual, by Martin. 

Ever loquacious the writer feels there is more to be said. 

First an apology for the late arrival of this "match Report" my computer is playing up,

Second. Well done to Jim D. and Vic who joined us inspite of warnings that it could be a strenuous day.  

Third. I must comment on the great spirit of the group who were, throughout the day solicitous of their companions needs.

Fourth. Never a complaint was heard when the "Going got Tough" or we become lost, Well, at least,  only in jest ( I hope ! ) 

Oh Boy ! Does that sound pompous or what. 

Last. There is no "Danny's View" this week as some of his photos have been incorporated into the report and others will appear below. 

More Photos.

 The O.S. post on Fairsnape.

 After missing our walks for several weeks did Harry find the going tiring ?

The Accident "Prone" Vic.

At the foot of Parlick  Harry found a key . Leave it somewhere safe ?

 Striding out confidently. Now we know where we're going.

A handsome, happy Harry resting...AGAIN ? 

John R chose not to wear gaiters. Wise decision ? Wait till 'er indoors sees these.

 His alternative footwear would not have helped much.

 John W arrives at the meeting point part way down Parlick. 
Typically, after all-day mist,  at the end of the walk out comes the sun !

 The usual Finale .. That'shandy !