Fylde |

We are taking a break from cycling having emptied the tank on last years epic journey. It’s the ideal opportunity to get back to doing some walking and we have been going out regularly pounding the local streets at a brisk pace to maintain a modicum of fitness. Finally, this weekend we were promised a nice sunny day so the question was where to go for a slightly longer and hopefully more inspiring walk.

Where we live on the Fylde coast is pretty pancake flat. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a lovely area with picturesque villages and a network of quiet country lanes ideal for leisurely cycling. The only problem is, particularly when walking, you need hills to get perspective. To get a view of the landscape you need height and it’s height that we lack. However just a short drive from home we are blessed with what, in mountaineering circles might be referred to as a pimple on the landscape. At 266 metres Beacon Fell doesn’t do any of that ‘rearing up’ kind of stuff that the likes of Scafell Pike, or Annapurna do, but it does give spectacular views over the Fylde and butts up nicely against the slightly more impressive hills of the Trough of Bowland. The conifer wood that covers it looks like a warm hat when you view the hill from any distance and at this time of year it gives it an appealing, comfortable character that draws you towards it. Its modest height makes for a fine, gentle winter walk, especially if you approach it from Brock Bottom rather than driving up to the car park near the top. The Met Office promised us unbroken sunshine but what we got was cloud and a heavy snow shower but that just added a little spice to the walk and when the sun did make it’s appearance it was all the more welcome. This is a great time to spot an abundance of bird life but today the highlight was the close up view of both hare and roe deer. Sadly I wasn’t quick enough with the camera. Fortunately the trees and landscapes tend to remain conveniently still.