Wet Slack Bradfield Moor RFM Blue Line Walking with Peter

 Wet Slack Bradfield Moor

RFM Blue Line 

Walking with Peter

21/03/25

Using Low Bradfield as the convenient parking place we set off on a walk to the hill tops to the west. The weather was calm and very mild for March.

We walked past the cricket ground and the community building into some small woods.

Crossing a tiny stream we remembered last time we crossed this bridge there was much more water flowing. The path quickly rises towards the church but we took the road to the left and were graced with a lovely view of Agden Res and another reminder of our walk of a week ago when we circumnavigated the res.

It was good to see some spring lambs as ever looking cute as a button.

Smallfield Lane ascended very quickly up the valley side and we were soon having long views of the crags. Looking back towards Damflask Res the view was still a little misty.

The view towards Agden side showed an infestation of moles.

Looking up the valley the big horseshoe of our walk was becoming apparent.

We were enchanted by a wandering Pied Wagtail.

Crossing Mortimer Road we entered the moor proper along a well maintained rock and earth lane.

We found a bench with a view so used it for a coffee break after ascending the steep hill from Low Bradfield. We watched the antics of a pair of Meadow Pipits on the top of the only bush in the immediate vicinity.

Walking along Hurkling edge we came to a viewpoint consisting of several large granite boulders unsuprisingly called Hurkling Rocks. The tor was inhabited by some very mangy looking sheep.

On top of the rocks as is often the case little pools had been formed.

Walking around the edge the views were long and lonely. We were passed by a large utility vehicle and an awkward looking runner. It turned out the driver was going to a tractor which we saw cutting the heather, not sure why. The runner we did not see again. We both commented on the sheer size of the moor we were walking over. It felt vast. As we walked along three barking ravens passed us at about eye level over the valley. Nice.

We overshot our turning as there was no sign of a path. On retracing our steps we found the very hard to follow path. The way was wet and dangerous so we took our time and followed a line of shooting butts down the hillside. Crossing a small stream we started up a steep slope and came a cross a team of 3 men building a peat regeneration system. We did not to expect to see anyone here as it was very isolated. We chatted a while and they warned us the land we were to cross was very very wet. We crossed it safely but were very cautious with good reason. This part of the moor is well named Wet Slack.
Crossing over the hill we started down the slope and found some really nice butts with seats so we went into one so we could eat our snacks in comfort. There were 3 lizards on the seat when we entered. They quickly disappeared. 

The next butt had one lizard with a missing tail.

The next butt had this wonderful little creature basking in the sun. It seems they all had their resident lizards. How cool was that.

The way down the valley was tight slippy but quite beautiful.

A furry caterpillar graced our path.

We continued down the valley and could see the crags we had seen this morning in the distance.

We came across a pair of ladies doing a wildlife survey and were happy to tell them what we had seen.

The substantial wall followed the path all the way down the hill.

The wood just before Mortimer Road was a bit spooky.

The last mile or so we followed a quiet road into Low Bradfield. 

As we approached the pheasant vacated the road.

This was a wonderful walk, aren't they all, with the added bonus of being able to photograph the lizards. I am sure no-one believes us when we say we have seen lizards on the moors.

The walk was a touch over 9 miles in length and ascended 1200 feet in total. My step count was  23000.

This was a more challenging walk than last week and we both came through with no issues. On to the next walk on Wednesday.