Day 3 Standedge to Hebden Bridge

Day 3 Standedge to Hebden Bridge 16 miles


Woke early to find thick mist across the moors, not to worry though, weather forecast was good. Had a full english breakfast plus cereal and was out on the trail for 9-15. Soon met up with Inge and Dann who I met yesterday, and spent the first 2 hours walk with them. With the mist still hanging low, views were non existance then around the hour mark the sun started to break through. By the time we reached the crossing of the M62 it was time to shed fleeces and top layers, it really was getting warm

Motorway crossing 

It was shortly afterwards we parted company, quick snack break for Inge and Dann, I carried onto Blackstone Edge where I met Thomas from yesterday by the trig point. We chatted for a while taking in the views over Littleborough and surrounding areas in Lancashire. The others soon reached us and we then walked together

Walking companions Daan, Inge and Thomas

as far as the White House pub, where Inge and Dann stopped for lunch. Me and Thomas carried on for a while on rather monotonous tracks alongside a string of reservoirs, where I stopped for shade and some lunch, Thomas carried on.
Carrying on and then it was a hot trek towards Stoodley Pike Monument,

Only photo of Stoodley Pike, forgot to take one closer up doh!!!

a tower that commemorates the defeat of Napoleon. Its a real impressive sight standing on the hills overlooking the Calder Valley.

View over Calder Valley from Stoodley Pike

Meeting Thomas on Stoodley Pike we both walked the downhill stretch into the lovely town of Hebden Bridge.
Reaching The Crown Inn where I was stopping, I found Liz was already there waiting in the bar to meet me. She had a full pint of lager in front of her, I had to help her drink it by taking the top off. After a 16 mile walk in hot sunshine nothing beats a nice cool lager.

Cheers

To finish the day off, me and Liz went for a nice stroll around the town, relaxing in a park then going for a good filling pub meal and beer and wine. 

Day 2 Torside to Standedge

Day 2 Torside to Standedge (saturday) 13 miles

Stage 2 completed and another fine days walk, with NO rain yet again, but a fair amount of mist at times. As I 

had already covered the day 1 route previously, this was now the beginning of new areas for me to enjoy, and 

enjoy I surely did.

Weather looked threatening, but just misty for a short time

Setting off at 10-15, I soon picked the route up into Cowden Great Brook valley, soon reaching Laddow Rocks.

Views from here down the valley were impressive, so I had a short break, tried to take a few “selfies” using 

tripod and timer setting on the camera. Lets say I need a bit of practise and patience to get them right, deleted

the lot.

Laddow Rocks

Next to come was the trek down, then upwards to Black Hill, which used to be a nightmare to cross, peat bogs 

the lot. It is now stone paved and walking and navigation is a doddle, in fact the whole stage was simple to 

navigate, only checked my map a few times.A bit misty and making it cold, but I didn't hang around for long, I needed to get somewher before 2-00.

Heading for the main A635 road I picked my pace up considerably, a mobile sandwich van parks there, I wasn't 

 going to get there too late. And I bloody well didn't, sausage and tomato baps washed down with a cuppa tea, 

 

just the job. It was here I met a few more PW walkers, a couple from Holland (Inge and Daan) and a young 

guy from Texas (Thomas), Pennine Way sure is cosmopolitan. Had a chat with them, the Dutch couples schedule 

was the same as mine, may bump into them again, well they are in same digs tonight, The Carriage House near Marsden. After fuelling up it was then a trek alongside Wessenden reservoirs before turning west and making 

my way across the moors to the b&b getting there just before 4-00. Looking forward to tomorrow now, Hebden Bridge is calling.