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

Saturday May 6th 2006 Day 4
Hebden Bridge to Ponden 9.9 miles

Had a superb breakfast at Badgerfields and said goodbye to John who was having a long walk today and would be a day in front of us from now on. It was nice to have the climb of yesterday evening out of the way. We had one last look across the valley at the imposing Stoodley Pike.

The garden at Badgerfields Farm

The day started with a steep descent into a valley across a very old bridge and up again to a little place called Colden where there is a very famous shop that sells absolutely everything. Pat and Pete were already on site tucking into tea and cakes. We left them to it and set off again past some more reservoirs, we had a rest by a lovely stream sitting in the sunshine and had some water and flapjack. Pete and Pat caught up with us and we chatted for a while in this beautiful spot.

Look down at Top Withins

After lunch by yet another reservoir we climbed steadily until we finally approached top withens the ruins of the farmhouse being the inspiration for Wuthering Heights. The local sheep were too friendly here and try to pinch food out of rucksacks. We had to get used to seeing rather more people here as there were a lots of visitors in Bronte country including Japanese tourists - even the signposts have Japanese on them. We had another sit down here the moors not at all forbidding in the lovely weather. As we approached Ponden Reservoir Petes GPS came into its own as we tried to locate our B & B for that night. Tea and chocolate biscuits were on offer on our arrival and our rooms were large and comfortable. We h d a nice rest before the homemade meal was served around a large table, soup, lasagne and pavlova piled high with strawberries and fresh cream. A lovely meal. Our fellow guests were enjoying a forties weekend in Haworth so we had a WAAF officer, an American GI and German U Boat Captain as fellow guests around the table.

We walked to the pub called the Silent Inn in Ponden which was voted worst pub on the Pennine Way. Pete and Pat were camping by the reservoir not enjoying the midges very much and tucking in to sausage and beans. Another very good day.
 

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