Glad you enjoyed Shacklesborough Mel. It is one of those little hills that calls you as it is visible from a long way away and has a weird mesa shape. I have done it it a couple of times - one of my rare repeat walks trying to improve the route.
A tip for anyone thinking about it. Park at the top of the dam, nice big car park, cross the dam and go round clockwise. The route round to and up the hill is fairly obvious that way. The hard part is finding a way from there to the stream crossing at the head of the reservoir. If you start at the top of the hill, you stand a better chance of spotting a line. Avoid arriving at the fence line anywhere near the foot of Blea Gill, it gives you an awkward gully crossing. Rather leave the head of Blea Gill and aim off to the top of the reservoir. https://osmaps.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/route/1912603/140701-Shacklesborough
It is a tad under 10km and took about 2:30 hrs both times - no tea breaks
Cheers ninthace. I had a look at your route and it's slightly different to the one I took. Mainly round the Blea Gill area. I didn't cross Blea Gill, I followed the fenceline until it turned towards the gill then I continued due south(ish), crossed a very substantial bridge over the junction of the two land drains and joined the green matting which followed the eastern side of the easternmost land drain. I'm wondering if the matting has been put in place since your last visit?
Looks like a great walk, really enjoyed the TR, Mel. 
And quite envious that you encountered all those birds at once! We saw our first golden plover of the year on Bleaklow on Monday.
Yes, Common Dog Violet, I think. There are a lot out around here at the moment. Lovely little flowers.
Cheers adalard. If you're a bit of a bird fan, perhaps you can help with the name of the black and white bird I saw. It's flight pattern was very distinctive - flying up and falling / fluttering as if injured, as was it's warbling flute-like call. White underbelly with black wide wings (reminded me of a chubby palm with really short fingers). Small head and quite a short beak. I think they had a black necklace too.
A fine walk and pictures, this is indeed a very good time for the north Pennines. Baldersdale is a much neglected walking area except for the Pennine Way stretch that passes through it, it's rare to find a walk report there.
Shacklesborough has often caught my eye perusing the map, maybe it's time to design another route.
Thanks vghikers. I chose the area because I read the book about Hannah Hauxwell's life. For years I assumed Baldersdale was in the Yorkshire Dales and then wondered if I'd got the name wrong. I recently found the book again at a table top sale, bought it and, ta-dah, the penny dropped and I was even more pleased when I found a suitable walk route in Country Walking mag. I will return at some point as I have a walk route for Goldsborough hill too. I'll be trying to do that walk when Hannah's hay meadow is in full bloom. I think it would be pretty easy to create a longer route taking in both hills for a stonkingly good day's walking.
Enjoyed the TR Mel 
It conveys the wonderful feeling of peace and freedom that walking can bring
Cheers Dovegirl. I'm glad that came through in my write up. I didn't realise how much "artificial noise" I have to tolerate on a daily basis and, having not been out in the wilds for months, the contrast was startling (and wonderful!)
Great report and pics Mel It sounded like a fab day out and I wanted to be there enjoying it too, reading your report
Shame on you for slugging the summit 
Cheers April. I'm sorry but there was just nobody around and it had to be done. Had it been a busier hill I would have dropped down one side out of view (and the wind!). Plenty of wildcamping spots around there though not much in the way of streams at the mo...
