Introduction

Pennine Way 2006

      > Day 1
      > Day 2
      > Day 3
      > Day 4
      > Day 5
      > Day 6
      > Day 7
      > Day 8
      > Day 9
      > Day 10
      > Day 11
      > Day 12
      > Day 13
      > Day 14
      > Day 15
      > Day 16
      > Day 17
      > Day 18
      > Day 19
      > Final Thoughts

Links on Walking Places

Friday 5th May 2006 Day 3
Standage to Hebden Bridge 17.7 miles

Another day of fantastic weather. After a good breakfast – I passed on the full English and had melon and poached egg - we were out of the house to catch the 8.45 bus up the hill and back on to the Pennine Way. The bus driver must be used to picking up walkers as he did not bat an eye lid as six people loaded with rucksacks piled on to his bus. £1 each to the top.

New Barn at Diggle

It was perfect walking weather and a lovely walk along the gritstone edges. This is the area where the modern world intrudes on the PW as on both sides scenes of urban sprawl are evident but it does not detract from the walk in any way.

The first highlight of the day is crossing the bridge over the M62. I had really been looking forward to this. The traffic noise can be heard for a long time before the crossing is reached. After so much peace and quiet it was funny to see queues of traffic crawling through the road works. I even got a picture of a Sainsbury lorry. Oh bliss.

Summit of White Hill at 1529’

The way then continues along Blackstone Edge. There is a stretch of Roman Road here and is part of the gradual descent down to the road and the White House pub. Pat and Pete joined us and we talked to a chap called Paul who was walking to Keld and had completed the PW last April. After lunch along side even more reservoirs Stoodley Pike eventually came into view but took an absolute age to reach. We all collapsed at the top and had a good rest in the sunshine. John who had stayed in Marsden caught up with us. We all felt quite pleased because that meant we must have been walking quite quickly. He also had a blister and collectively we had none.

Crossing the M62

John was staying at Badgerfields as well that night and was able to give us the menu for the evening meal. Pat and Pete were also staying there but under canvas. We all joined up for the final couple of miles. I jokingly looked across the valley at a farmhouse high on the hill and said “that’s where we are heading” Teach me to be flippant because after crossing the canal we started one of the stiffest hills of the walk especially hard coming at the end of the day. The climb was worth it though as we were welcomed with pots of tea which we drank sitting in the garden. We were able to have some washing done which helped keep the smells down in the rucksacks. The meal was lovely (Salmon Thermidor) washed down with a bottle of wine. After the meal we sat in the summer house chatting and looking down on Huddersfield and the lights of the M62. A very good day

The Aiggin Stone

Stoodley Pike

Flat out at Stoodley Pike
 

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