12 and 14.5.14
Walking with; Graham
In spite of the beautiful weather we have been having of late I’ve not managed to get out as much as I would have liked, it’s been a combination of factors ranging from a general ennui through to family get togethers, none-the-less I managed a couple of outings last week.
I headed off to Stalybridge Country Park on the Monday morning, a new area for me although I am reasonably familiar with the town. I parked at the foot of the Walkerwood Reservoir and before long was cutting through the Rhododendrons of Cock Wood. I carried onto Brushes Reservoir and then cut through the flower studded woodland and onto the main track. I climbed slowly but surely in the shadows of the men working on the new electricity pylons, this is a serious bit of engineering and (unfortunately) I suspect this area will be blighted by this project for some time to come. Having reached the twin Swineside Reservoirs (which I had previously visited from Tintwistle https://www.comewalkwithmeuk.co.uk/2013/05/another-weekly-wander-or-two.html) I then cut off into the peaty moorland for a bit of navigation practice. I gradually made my way up on to Harridge Pike where there were some excellent views towards Manchester. The rain clouds started to roll in at this point and I aimed off towards The Pennine Bridleway which I followed back round to the reservoirs after a short detour bought about by the work on the powerlines.
A couple of days later it was up to the Lake District. I pitched my tent at the fantastic Baysbrown campsite with wonderful views of the Langdale Pikes before heading into Ambleside where I met Graham for another night navigation. Great as it is to have the long Summer evenings it does make for late starts when night navving. We set off up onto Wansfell Pike at about 10pm and after nearly four hours of picking our way round the Troutbeck side of the hill finally headed back down about 2am. There is a lot of satisfaction in night navigation tiring as it is and mine was greatly enhanced this time by my new Black Diamond head torch which performed fantastically and has an amazing range. Breakfast the next morning at Bilbo’s cafe in Ambleside comes very highly recommended. Two very different experiences, two enjoyable rambles and more navigation practice under my belt!
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