I signed the book at the 'Old Nag's Head'.... the official start of the Pennine Way in Edale
Edale in Derbyshire . . . official start of the Pennine Way!
The first step on my Pennine Way adventure . . . so excited!!!
It was 5.40.am with daylight showing the imminent sunrise behind the clouds above the dale. Today the walk is 15 miles from Edale to Torside with an elevation gain of 2,379 feet throughout the day. Today is supposed to be one of the toughest days on the Pennine Way. I was aware of my ankle but it seemed ok as I set off out of the Vale of Edale. I was soon very much aware that I was at the start of an epic journey north following the backbone of northern England to Kirk Yetholm in Scotland.
Jacob's Ladder . . . the first steep climb on the Pennine Way!
Mick . . . a fellow PW walker . . . just after Kinder Scout!
Pennine Way . . . Day 1 . . . Edale to Torside
Rhodeswood Reservoir . . . extra detour at the start of Day 2!
My early morning lift from Edale took me back to Torside Reservoir for the start of Day 2 on the Pennine Way. There was an unexpected surprise in store for me! As I walked down to the dam I came across signs saying the Pennine Way was diverted for two miles around the lower Rhodeswood Reservoir (see above photo) as the Torside dam was closed for construction work. As you can see it was a bright blue sky at the start of my day but as I moved up into the valley of Crowden Great Brook the shower clouds gathered and it started to rain. Thankfully it soon cleared as I climbed above the impressive rocky outcrops overlooking the valley below. I met a bird-watcher who was looking for a rare bird . . . the bearded vulture . . . it was only the second time that one has been spotted in the UK! They have already been driven to extinction in the Alps and are currently very rare in the Pyrenees. I didn't see one!
Pennine Way . . . Day 2 . . . Torside to Stanedge / Diggle
As a proud Lancastrian I was delighted to find this waymarker
at the start of Day 3 on the Pennine Way!!
Today I set off from Diggle / Stanedge to walk 17.5 miles in 8 hours to Hebden Bridge. It was quite an emotional day ahead for me . . . today I would be passing the village of Littleborough where I was born! I would also be walking over the summit of the mountain of my youth . . . Blackstone Edge!
This morning as I set off from Stanedge there was intermittent drizzle but it was fine for walking. I was on my own all the way to the footbridge over the M62 motorway . . . the highest motorway in England. Both Lizzie and Mick were up ahead of me. I then got my first view of my 'beloved' Blackstone Edge . . . yes I know it was the Yorkshire side but who cares!
On the summit of Blackstone Edge!
I did my usual 'leap of faith' up onto the summit boulder. From the 'trig-point' I could look down on the village where I was born and where my Stott ancestors have lived for hundreds of years. I did a short video about how I was feeling at that moment . . . excited and thinking of my early years in Littleborough (see the video below). I left the village at the age of 18 to go to teacher-training college in Scarborough in 1971 . . . and of course that's where I met Lynne . . . the love of my life!
Pennine Way . . . Day 3 . . . Stanedge/Diggle to Hebden Bridge
I then timed it right for the opening of the White House pub next to the A58 road which runs from Lancashire into Yorkshire. For many years we have made family pilgrimages to the White House high above Littleborough, right on the Pennine Way . . . especially when we lived in Hong Kong from 1979 until 1997. Every summer, on our holiday back in the UK, we always went to the White House with my mum who still lived in Littleborough. After she died in 2011 the visits to the White House have become less frequent but still very special. For both my daughters, Louisa and Susie, and for myself this pub has a special place in our hearts!
Video/selfie made on the summit of Blackstone Edge!
David standing beside Simon Armitage's 'Stanza Stone' . . . 'Rain'
It was on the moorland near this 'stanza stone' that we scattered my mum's ashes . . . and it was to be near another 'stanza stone' on Ilkley Moor inscribed with Simon's poem 'Beck' that we also scattered Lynne's ashes . . . both now places of great personal significance.
Yes . . . Day 3 of my Pennine Way adventure was a very emotional but wonderful day!
Studley Pike . . . just before my descent into Hebden Bridge and Calderdale
So here we are at the end of Day 3 of my Pennine Way adventure!! I hope you have enjoyed my journey so far? My next blog will cover Days 4 to 6 on the Pennine Way from Hebden Bridge to Kirkby Malham.
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Regards
David