Easington Fell, G/SP-012 - 396m ASL - SD 730 487 - OS Explorer OL41 - 1 SOTA point           

Saturday 5th February 2022 - Easington Fell G/SP-012 & Padiham v Macclesfield (match postponed)

Today it was Padiham v Macclesfield. With a relatively late start out caused by an urge to submit 78 points worth of activations to the SOTA Database, the only feasible SOTA to pair with this trip was Easington Fell G/SP-012.

Blinking weather! We’d originally planned a walk around Leek but cancelled that in view of the forecast. So instead I went to watch Macc away at Padiham. As usual I selected a nearby summit to wander up with my radio.

Easington Fell, just north of Clitheroe was ascended during a gap in the rain and with the strong wind on my back. Got my four contacts for SOTA and began the descent.  It was great to work Mike @G4BLH and his wife Louise G8CME plus two of Barnoldswick’s several stalwart SOTA chasers.  However now the rain restarted, and walking now directly into the wind, the rain was horizontal into my face. I utilised some of the change of clothes I’d brought as back-up and set off on the 20 minute drive to Padiham.

Just as I was walking past the pub outside the ground, some Macc fans coming the other way advised that the referee had just called the game off due to a waterlogged pitch!  Only thing for it was to sample said pub before heading back home! Nice pint, pie & peas and watch the extra time of Kidderminster v West Ham.

Before heading home I took a photo of a new ground visited by me, even if I was yet to watch any football being played there!

Back in Macc, the weather cleared sufficiently for a wander into town with the lads.