Crowden to Marsden

Thursday 13th July 2017 
Distance:  14 miles
Weather:  sunny, warm, light breeze

I had a good night's rest and had tea and toast with my host and Maisie the Scottie dog.  After breakfast, I walked to the local supermarket and bought my second breakfast and lunch.  The taxi picked me up and I was back on the trail at Crowden by 10 o'clock.  I ate my second breakfast (I'm with the Hobbits in this) sat on a convenient bench overlooking Torside Reservoir in the warm sunshine with a Robin singing away. 

Across the Woodhead Pass and I followed the path under Black Tor on the left and Bareholme on the right.  The path was rocky with lots of stream crossing whilst the views opened up with  Bleaklow and the Kinder Plateau behind me. It was a steep climb up to Oaken Clough and Laddow Rocks but worth it for the view.  Beyond Laddow Rocks, there was more stream fording with brown and peaty water tumbling over the rocks (gosh I love the Dark Peak).  Now the path was paved whilst  on either side the black, peaty morass waited expectantly for weary souls to stumble and fall into the blackness..

I soon reached Soldiers' Lump trig point and met a couple and their dog enjoying lunch in the sunshine.  Just as I finished my lunch, a young man appeared who I discovered was walking the Pennine Way.  He asked me where we were as he had lost his map.  Fortunately, he had arranged a rendevous with his sister who was bring a new map to help him on his way.  I left the trip point and now the way descended over the moorlands and through cloughs with ahead the traffic tearing along the A635.  Alas there was no tea van in the layby so my dreams of a cuppa were dashed.  The path was improving now as I crossed the road carefully and walked onto Marsden Moor to pass its many reservoirs. It was quite a lovely spot in the sunshine and very peaceful.  I spotted froglets, butterflies, harebells and foxgloves.  I met a lovely family out with their many dogs - beadles,
labradors and a jack russell who were all well behaved, that is, they just ignored me which suits me fine.  I chatted the family for a while and then I was off again down the valley and I left the Way at Wessenden Reservoir and I followed the Kirklees Way down into Marsden.  I arrived in Marsden and made my weary way to my Air bnb  for the night.  I reached the house and found there was big flight of stairs up to the front door.  My knees protested loudly.  My host is a singer and was off to gig that evening so as I showered and changed I could hear her practising her scales.  The resident cat wanted to be my friend but I was having none of it.