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!