A New Year’s walk up to Darwen’s Jubilee Tower has become a tradition. I’ve been a little under the weather over the holidays (just a nasty cold), so when we finally took the plunge, it felt extra-good to brave the fresh, winter air and get out for some exercise.
Darwen Tower may look warm under the glow of late afternoon sun, but anyone who has ever made the climb will vouch for the wind chill factor up there, even on a summer’s day. Few people venture round to the back, where the wind is most blustery, so I was able to get this shot of the place looking deserted.
It was far from that. You can never walk to the tower without being part of a steady stream of climbers of all ages, travelling at various speeds from an all out, easy run to the grimmest of slow trudges, passing each other on the way up or down, offering an encouraging smile, a “hiya!” or a nod of greeting.
As many of the people reading this will never travel this way, let alone make the climb, I’m sharing a view from near the summit. From here, on a clear day, you can see Blackpool Tower – the Fylde Coast’s answer to the Eiffel Tower. But it was the frozen, slippery paths that demanded our attention, assuming neither of us wanted a twisted ankle to add to our lingering coughs and sniffles.
On the way down, after crouching to take a few pictures of frosted ferns and leaves, spending a few extra moments to keep my hands as steady as I could despite the cold, I discovered a couple waiting to ask what was so fascinating. I was slightly abashed to confess my treasure was simple old leaves, painted by the frost.
The light was doing its own embellishment too, turning these artfully shrivelled beech leaves into natural lampshades.
As the dark started to fall, we were glad to get a call from Mum, tempting us to call over for a feast of her famous, twice-baked potatoes with leeks and cheese – one of my favourite comfort foods. I ate mine too quickly to take a picture, so you’ll have to take my word for it how good they were.
Susan Rushton 
Great photos, I love the frosted foliage in the first shot and the view over the countryside is fabulous. Darwen Tower is one I haven’t been to yet in spite of it not being that far from home, but I’m going to try to get there this year, maybe combining it with a walk through Sunnyhurst Woods 🙂
That would work!
Well, that view from the tower is fabulous, and the twice-baked potatoes sound divine.
I love jacket potatoes of almost any description, but Mother’s are especially tasty.
As always it is another great article and pictures. Thank you for sharing your adventuresses with us and going there despite cold weather and not feeling perfectly well yet. The tower and the view from there is indeed very beautiful and also it was certainly worth to stop to photograph these frosty leaves.
My pleasure – I’d have loved to spend longer but the light was falling.
How interesting that you have to point out to strangers that there is so much beauty in simple things like dead leaves, the way the light touches something, or frost. Hope you opened their eyes!
I think they were nature lovers too. They were wondering why I had ventured so far from the path.
Beautiful views and beautiful photos
Thank you!
I loved the frosty photos — so peaceful and beautiful.
Pleased you are over your cold, can you still climb to the top of the tower?
I love the pictures, the ones in your post and the one I imagine, with you and the curious onlookers. It surely is a matter of wonder when someone is spotted off by herself apparently engrossed in something mysterious or invisible to mere mortals. But you have The Eye, so you are fated to be that someone. I can understand how that walk would have felt so good after having been cooped up — I hope you are completely better now. I bet those potatoes were great medicine!
Glad you recovered enough to get out at last – and to take these excellent photos
Beautiful photos — and yummy-sounding dinner 🙂