Back on the trail! Buxton to Glossop (25th March 2015)

I travelled up to Buxton on the 24th, staying overnight at a delightful b&b called the Old Manse(http://www.oldmanse.co.uk/). Highly recommended, especially with the poached eggs. To while away the hours, I walked around the town and also took a walk up to Dove Holes. Caught the bus back and found the Buxton Tap House (http://www.buxtonbrewery.co.uk/tap/) where I delighted in trying all kinds of beers! Thirds mind, I've a long walk to Hebden over the next few days! 

Train up...

Buxton Tap House

After an uneasy night's sleep, I awoke, got ready and steeled myself for going up Kinder Scout and the Pennine Way to Glossop. Only to be told, it might not be advisable to go up with the backpack and on my own. After much internal debate, I decided the safer option was probably best and set out on the road to Glossop via Chapel-en-le-Frith and Hayfield. Looked to be around 14.4 miles of road walking. Yuk! 

Left Buxton via the A6 and it was a real slog on or besides a main road! I quickly get into marching mode and in due course, I arrive in Chapel-en-le-Frith just before lunchtime. I wander around for a little while, taking in the views and sights, while also noticing the black clouds heading over Kinder! Perhaps I was right to be taking the road to Glossop! 

Views looking out to Kinder

Viaducts on the road out of Chapel-en-le-Frith to Chinley

After Chapel-en-le-Frith, I take the A624 road to Hayfield and Glossop. It has some pavement, but mostly was a slog on grass verges besides a very busy road! Thank god for the little b-road that appeared about 3/4 miles before Hayfield! It was getting rather hairy at times! But some of the views were breathtaking...

Eventually we get to Hayfield, a nice little village which used to be home to a large mill. Had a wander around and a drink before heading out on the last stretch to Glossop. Today's been a hard slog. I really don't like road walking at the best of times, especially on A-roads. 

The church at Hayfield

Finally, with weary feet, I arrive in Glossop, a nice, small town situated on the A57. Dinner then bed early methinks! Weather looks shocking for tomorrow's walk to Marsden. *edit* So much for bed early! Couldn't get to sleep til 2am..! 

Plans for the year ahead...

Hello all, sorry I haven't posted in a while, but what with Xmas and the New Year, plus a couple of health scares, I'm only now finding the time to blog! 

This year's plan is to either do the entire Pennine Way, or to do some of it and then divert either to the North-East coastal path (I've a hankering to visit Holy Island...) or to go over some of the Lake District to Carlisle. While I love walking on moors and hills, I do also like visiting places I've never been too, and the further north on the Pennine Way you go, the less towns and villages to pass through there are.

However, time will be a huge factor this year due to various circumstances at home. So, it may be that I will not be able to walk as much as I would like, or that I will have to do longer hikes per day, which I really don't want to do. After that 72 miles in 3 days last year, I was really struggling for weeks afterwards!

Anyway, all being well, I'm hoping to be back up in Buxton at the end of March, beginning of April to attempt to get to Hebden Bridge in 4-5 days.

Ciao! 

Cancelled trips...

Well, I was supposed to do Buxton to Hebden Bridge on the Pennine Way last week. However a knee injury meant I didn't feel comfortable attempting Jacob's Ladder up to Kinder Scout.

This means there'll be no more walking this year and the end2end will start again in Spring.

A little distraction - Climbing Scafell Pike

Well, we had a week in the Lake Districts, stayed at a very nice house near Windermere! But my real challenge for the week was to climb Scafell Pike with my brother in law. We planned firstly to take the easiest route from Wasdale Head, but due to complications in getting there early enough, we decided to go up via the route from the Old Dungeon Ghyll Inn, which was more accessible by bus from Windermere. 

It was an arduous trek, mainly because my brother in law has only recently recovered from knee surgery and, while I do a lot of endurance walking, am not exactly built for walking up mountains! 

Anyway, it took us around 6-7 hours to climb to the summit and back, where we celebrated with a few beers before heading back to Windermere. It's certainly an achievement for me and I am glad I did it. Although, it has made me want to do the other mountains in the British Isles now! I can do the Ben Nevis challenge when I pass it on my end2end. And there are already plans in motion to climb Snowdon with an old school friend for charity... 

TTFN! 

On the bus to Old Dungeon Ghyll. The anticipation gets higher, nearer you get!

Easy start...

Lunch at the summit!

Me at the summit...

Leek to Buxton

Woke up, had a really nice cooked breakfast and got ready to go out! Today was a relatively(!) short walk from Leek to Buxton following the A53 all the way. I was hoping for paths alongside for most of it, having not followed a major A-road for a long distance without them. Some days I can be very aware of my deafness...

As I was paying the bill, the proprietress of the Daintry B&B (The Daintry B&B) made a kind gesture in donating to my charity! It warmed the cockles and I stepped out into the sunny morning with a bounce! Walked through Leek and soon found the A53.

Soon, you can see the Peak District in the distance and the Roaches looming ever closer. I decided to make a detour to see the Roaches close up! Had a cup of tea at the Roaches Tea Room and took in the views! 

View from the Roaches Tea Room

The Roaches

After getting back to the A53, it becomes an ever-uphill climb on a pathless road for 7-8 miles to Buxton. One of my biggest worries as a Deaf solo traveller when walking on pathless A-roads is I'll never hear whats coming up behind me, if someone is overtaking, or an approaching truck coming over a hill or round a blind bend at a speed which gives me little time to jump onto the overgrown verge. It certainly keeps you awake and affords you little time to actually take in the spectacular scenery around you! 

Must be the highest point of walk so far...

How many counties now?

Eventually we get into Buxton where I'm staying the night with my wife and two children who've driven up from Canterbury. We spent the early evening exploring the town and having some dinner! That'll be it for now, as the next stage will be getting from here to Kirk Yetholm on the Pennine Way and I know that will need careful planning and lots of saving up! 

TTFN!