Longridge Fell with BC

Wednesday 22nd. April 2026

Bowland Climber has had an arm in a sling for several weeks but it has now been liberated, however he is still not allowed to drive, and he is homesick for walks further afield. I have offered a trip out.

The evening before I was making sure I had everything ready for my off to Longridge in the morning. My car keys were not on their hook. It was now 11:00 pm. I searched to no avail, then sat down and did some thinking. Ah! I remember going to the local shop in the car and noticing a reduced tyre pressure light which pops up every two weeks or so. I had re-inflated when I arrived back home with my cigarette lighter plug-in.  A dash out to the car confirmed what I then knew. I had left the key in the ignition switched on - battery now flat. I call Green Flag. They message back saying they will land at "00.15 tomorrow." I panic thinking that "tomorrow" will not do until I realise they are using the twenty-four hour clock and it is now before midnght. They arrive at about 11.45. I then have to set off and drive for about half an hour to get the battery properly charged. Evrntually I get to bed sbout 1:00 am.

I have a welcome black coffee at chez BC  and off we go with long awaited default spring warmth and glorious blue sky. In consideration of my problem with steepness we drive to the highest road starting point for Longridge Fell.

Wide forestry tracks provide steady ascent, and dog walkers are greeted at intervals. Emerging onto the ridge of the fell we have one of the finest panoramic views anywhere in the country and at its best today in this brilliant weather.

We ascend to the Ordnance Survey trig pillar, a place of outstanding beauty well known to both of us over the years, and a venue to be savoured for its solitude and quiet contemplation, and appreciation of nature. But horror of horrors, it has been turned into some sort of commecial "destination" with information boards and a vistor's log book system all spoiling the timeless natural appeal of this wild scenery. One of the notice boards actually blocks the panoramic view to the distant Pendle skyline. This area is designated as an AONB and one wonders if they have given permission, if so, shame on them.*

Further on we turn off the ridge  to start descending through a series of frightening mountain bike tracks with jump-offs for the junior hards and reminding me of going over the handlebars myself on a descent of the Walna Scar Road years ago. As one gets older such escapades become become increasingly susrprising at their reembrance.

As we sit for our sandwich and coffee I fire up Merlin, the birdsong ibentifying app. A willow warbler is detected, and then BC maanges to spot this bird about about eighty yards distant perched on the  pointed spikey top of a forestry pine tree. We have the pleasure of its melodious song for several minutes before we see it fly off, perhaps to find a willow tree? My bird book says, "...wide variety of wooded habitats, from forests to bushy commons."

Our convesation has been wide ranging throughout. At one point, for a reason I don't remeber, I recall my reading years ago of A.J. Cronin's The Citadel. The novel is set in 1927 and edscribes the efforts of a newly appointed young GP in the Welsh valleys and his contribution to improvement of health care which  eventually lead to the fomation of the NHS in 1948. The title, The Citadel reperesents the  impenetrable self seeking bastions of the medical profession at the time.

Further descent gets us back to the car. This has been ome of my most enjoyable walks for some time.

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*

From AI:

"Planning permission for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs)—now often referred to as National Landscapes—is administered by local planning authorities (LPAs), typically the local district, borough, or unitary council. 

While the AONB Partnership (or Conservation Board) often provides advice on planning applications to protect the landscape, they do not have the power to make final planning decisions."

Steady ascent to gain Longridge Fell ridge

Each one of the regular named storms brings new tree falls. This one was not evident on BC's last visit back in January I think

Parlick and Fair Snape Fell, a small section of the panorama from Longridge Fell

On the ridge approaching thr OS trig, and...

...Mc Donald's next?

Mountain bike tracks

BC takes what I suspect is yet another photo of what he tells me is his favourite tree. Of course it will look different on each visit.