David's 2022 Walk - Lands'End to John o'Groats

From The Olive Branch we'd arranged a taxi for us to rejoin the Pennine Way at Standedge on Saddleworth moor. We left the car park and walked into the cloud. In the mist at The Dinner Stone at 451m (1480 feet) It wasn't getting any better when we met  Mark who was spending a long weekend walking North to South from Hebden Bridge to Edale. He recalled walking the route 40 years ago when he described it as like walking scross The Somme.  The paving stones that have being a significant feature over our last few days at least give the peat moors a chance to recover. On Denshaw Moor we meet a team from the National Trust who had been repairing a stile. Francesca, Molly, Alec and Ian were carrying all their material and tools a long way back to their vehicle. We thought that Alec looked as though he should have been on his way to Jerusalem.  At the trig point on White Hill 466m, before descendin...

Having stayed overnight, just down the road in Glossop, we'd arranged an early taxi to drop us off where we'd finished yesterday. We set off walking Northwards up and away from the Torside reservoir. Today belonged to Stonechats, Curlews, Cockoos and Skylarks. The calls and songs of one or another could be heard almost continuously throughout the day. Wonderful ! The path gradually rose above the treeline and onto the moor. The views back to yesterday's descent to Torside. On a steep route, when you have to watch every step and concentrate on the uneven rocky surface ahead, you get to notice some of the other creatures that are sharing your path...  I'm sure they too deserve their place in the updated Highway Code. There are parts of the Pennine way where there is a separate Pennine bridleway for horses and bikes but these three guys must have become confused as to where they should have...

As if one day of walking with me from Abergavenny to Hay-on-Wye wasn't enough to put her off, Pam decided to join us again for the first day of the Pennine Way.  As a sign of her commitment she was up at something past five to catch the 0635 train from King's Norton to Birmingham, then to Manchester, then to Edale to join us for the walk. And bring Monty as well. Fantastic!  The official start of the Pennine Way is at the Nag's Head so first, we found our way there. Monty already taking an unhealthy interest in my socks!! On the way, we passed a new building commemorating The Mass Trespass. In 1932, 400 ramblers marched on Kinder Scout and after tussles with gamekeepers, 6 were arrested and imprisoned for 6 months. Following public outcry, the rights of public to use footpaths were enshrined in law and the Peaks became the first National Park in the UK. Power to the people!! In gorgeous, early morning sunshine, we  set off up t...