Blackstone Reservoir to Ponden Reservoir
Last night, I had a lovely visit to the local rainbows. They were very cute and it was great to tell them about my trip. It’s so nice to see them so enthusiastic about my trip and answer all of their questions.
Two of Pam’s friends, Megan and Dave, kindly dropped me off at Blackstone Edge Reservoir to continue my journey along the Pennine Way.
I started on the track along the reservoirs. The wind was strong again this morning. Every time there was a little bit of shelter I would feel like I was thrown in the other direction!
I walked this part of the Pennine Way when I walked the Stanza Stones 50. Simon Armitage had six poems engraved on stones between Marsden and Ilkley. The Stanza Stones 50 linked them all together and it was nice to find one along this section of the Pennine Way.
As I continued along the Pennine Way, I caught my first view of Stoodley Pike Monument. A monument was originally placed there to commemorate the defeat of Napoleon in 1814. However, a lightning strike destroyed that one and the current monument was built in 1854.
I crossed the moorland towards Stoodley Pike and stopped at this very well placed bench. It was perfectly positioned so the wind hit the back, which meant that I was nice and sheltered. The view was beautiful, I could see for miles!
Sometimes as I walk along, I’ve made parodies of songs, themed on my walk. It’s a fun way to occupy my brain and I get a sort of giddy enjoyment from it. Yesterday, I’d made a new one, which I recorded for my sister, whilst I was sat on the bench. I would say that she’s the lucky one, but I’m not sure she’d agree 🤣
I shortly arrived at Stoodley Pike Monument. It was massive! Whilst I was there I met a group of young lads who were on a walk together. It was great to see them enjoying the outdoors and challenging themselves. They were very proud to tell me that they were going 16km.
I then took the path down through Callis Wood. The track was nice and wide and the trees gave some shelter from the wind. I stopped for some early lunch and a rest before tackling the climb out of Hebden Bridge
The path out of Hebden Bridge was along a little ginnel, laid with stone bricks. At first glance it looked really steep, but once I got going and took it steady, it wasn’t too bad.
At the top, I was rewarded with a bluebell woodland and beautiful views. It has been so nice seeing bluebells on my trip. I seem to be following spring up the country, so it feels like I’m getting to see an extended bluebell season! To top it all off, I had a stoat run across the path in front of me!
On the climb out of Hebden Bridge, I passed a sign for May’s Farm Shop. I had to go and visit. May’s Farm Shop is an iconic feature of the Pennine Way, situated in the perfect spot for walkers. I popped in and brought some fruit and I was very grateful for the use of their portaloo too. The shop was amazing and had such a variety of items. It really did have everything you could need!
On the climb over Pry Hill, someone had left a good luck sign on one of the cairns.
I then dropped into Golden Clough. I crossed over the footbridge and heard a cuckoo. It was really beautiful. The call was really loud, so it must have been nearby, but it was very well camouflaged.
I’ve been so lucky today to see and hear so much birdlife. My walk has been accompanied by Lapwing and Curlew!
The Pennine Way took me over Clough Head Hill. It was a really lovely moorland, and so peaceful and quiet.
I dropped down off the moorland to the Walshaw Dean reservoirs, before climbing over Top Withins. The ruins there are believed to be the inspiration for the Earnshaw home in Wuthering Heights. It was a really atmospheric place.
With the wind still strong, I sat behind a dry stone wall for a rest, before continuing on to Ponden Reservoir.
I walked around the edge of the reservoir before meeting Pam, for a second night at her house. When Pam realised where I was heading today, she very kindly offered for me to stay a second night. It has been lovely to have more time with her, and it also meant that I could walk with a lighter pack today. Today’s 30km were walked in record time!
In the evening, I visited Pam’s Guides and the Brownies. It was lovely to tell them about my challenge. It’s wonderful to see their reactions. I sometimes ask groups to guess how long my walk is, the Brownies’ guesses ranged from 60 to 10 million!
Leave a Reply