It was early July, and Saturday 4th was England's own 'independence day' as the easing of lockdown restrictions meant the hospitality industry, such as accommodation, pub, restaurants & campsites could begin to reopen, provided they met strict social distancing rules and were 'COVID-safe'. There had been much news recently about so called 'fly-campers' heading into the national parks, pitching by the side of the road, or next to a beach, having a late-night drinking session, basically trashing the place, and leaving the area wrecked. It was the absolute opposite of the whole Leave No Trace ethic of true wild campers, and was giving us a bad name. As a reaction the combat 'fly-campers' and also to help with social distancing, National Trust rangers were monitoring car parks around both the Lake District & Yorkshire Dales National Parks. Just a few weeks earlier, it was being readily reported of rangers and police teaming up to move on indivi...

  As the lockdown continued, restrictions began to ease ever so slowly. Whilst still under instruction to stay at home, by the end of May, people were now allowed to drive to a location for exercise. Not wanting to wander to far, I headed to the West Pennine Moors just north of Bolton to climb the highest peak in the area - Winter Hill. Monday 25th May was a bank holiday in England. That afternoon I drove up to Scout Road, on the south-eastern edge of Winter Hill. The car park on the road was closed off due to the lockdown, but there were a number of cars parked on the roadside verge. I found a spot, parked up, and set off. Although closest to Bolton, Winter Hill in fact falls just inside the eastern boundary of the Borough of Chorley. With a height of only 1,496 ft it isn't even the highest peak in Lancashire (it's number 9 according to hill-bagging.co.uk), but it's prominence above Greater Manchester and the vast Lancashire plains mean it is home to a number of huge anten...