......................................................................................The start of Wainwright's alternative route
I started by walking the mile or so back along the canal to pick up The Pennine Way, back past the floral displays and gaily painted boats. Some of the long boats were on the move and several people shout out 'good morning' - and it was a good morning, another sunny one.
I was looking forward to todays walk , fairly short over mainly moorland, passing through 'Bronte Country' and finishing at Ponden resoirvoir. The initial climb away from Hebden Bridge is steep but quite short. About half way up there is a choice of routes when Wainwright's alternative route branches off to the left through a gate.
Looking back towards Hebden
Bridge
I chose the official route as I thought it would give better views looking back to Hebden Bridge and south towards Stoodley Pike. I met a lost walker a little above here and tried to help her get back on route. She was out for just a days walk and wasn't carrying a map or compass. I only have the National Trail Guides by Tony Hopkins, which I found to be more than adequate for the walk and much lighter than carrying the full set of maps, but they don't show the surrounding area far beyond the Pennine Way . I pointed her in the right direction (hopefully) and continued upwards.
Looking south to Stoodley
Pike
It was easy walking after the path levelled out. Lovely views of gentle hill country, farms and streams. No route finding problems. A little marshy in places but not overso.The sun was shining and the backs of my legs started to burn a little. My weight limit didn't allow for any sun cream, so I just had to suffer! Sun glasses on, sun hat on - it was a perfect day, though the wind was beginning to lift.
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Walshaw Dean The scenery changes through the Walshaw Dean reservoirs, for a short while, and it makes a beautiful spot for lunch. The wind was quite high now and I sheltered behind this bridge. |
There are lovely views all round and Top Withins, reputedly the inspiration for Heathcliffe's farmstead in Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights, can soon be seen ahead. The house is no more than a ruin now and even before falling into its present state was apparently nothing like the description of the farm in the book. It is in a beautiful setting, however, and having not read the book I had to do make do with the picture conjured up by the Kate Bush record of the seventies which, to my great annoyance, wouldn't leave my head until I was well clear of Bronte Country!
.........................................................Top Withins
Although I'd walked only 13 miles today I was feeling quite tired as Ponden Reservoir came into view. It had been a hot day, and I was beginning to feel the effects of carrying a heavy rucksack.
I stayed at Ponden House, right on the PW and at the edge of the Reservoir, and after a good meal there somehow found the strength to walk the 2.5 mile round trip to The Friendly Inn at Stanbury. It was a nice walk, the wind had dropped and it was a fine evening. The pub lived up to its name and after 1 pint of Tetleys bitter I walked back, spotting several owls on the way, and had an early night - 9 p.m. The effects of the last 4 days were starting to take their toll, I was feeling tired and the next day was to be a long walk. Unfortunately people were arriving and leaving until gone 11 p.m. , and after being woken several times I couldn't settle into sleep. It was noisy and I woke up at 5 a.m. for the final time. I began the day unrefreshed and feeling more tired than I had the night before.
Rating for day out of 10 :-