Bog Off

I was a bit worried today. The weather forecast wasn't ideal and we had a long run/hike planned. Added to that, Rosemary suspected that she had a bug coming. On a positive, the clocks had changed so an hour longer in bed. Breakfast preparation was a tasty porridge with cinnamon pears.

We got the waterproof jackets on and trotted along Hague Road, past the farm with the grumpy farmer (he hates there being a right of way on his land). No worries about puddles and mud as there were so many and feet were drenched within 5 minutes. Nettles and brambles have died back so not so many stings for me....Rosemary was less lucky as she had exposed calves.

After Hollingworth, we wouldn't see another road, or much downhill for several hours. Rosemary had done a great job of memorising the route. Our early relationship was often challenged when she used a map as a safety blanket, checking every wall, fence and stile to ensure we were heading in the right direction. "Stop looking at the fookin map" is a phrase that many a poor sheep has heard! However, wildlife are now spared such domestic disagreements as she'll only look at the map at essential junctions or when we become lost.

Going was getting tough up Ogden Clough and I started to feel a bit unwell. Fuzzoi wuzzoi as we say in Rosemary's Brummie-esque accent. When I feel rubbish, the best thing for me is silence and I got it for a change! That was until Rosemary went ahead and got the camera out. "Please don't take my photo" I said politely. This fell on deaf ears so I screamed "don't take my photo" maybe with an added profanity. It was immediately followed by my apology. Conditions were likely to get tough and being in the huff for either of us would make the day harder.

Near the top of the hill, we reached Ormes Moor, a desolate and saturated peak bogged area with lots of little ravines called boughs. The path disappeared and going became very very slow. Foot placement was critical as the peat was ready to swallow an unsuspecting foot. I was particularly worried as I have elastic laces which makes loosing a shoe more likely. We were heading for Chew Reservoir at 474m high which could been seen in the distance. A quick stop for food was planned. Getting close, we reached more solid ground and what appeared to be the path. Rosemary mentioned we had been lucky with the rain, at which point it started falling heavily.

Lunch was had behind a JCB which must have been hell to get up to the reservoir. I felt a truer Scotsman than a pantless kilt wearer, wolfing down dry oatcakes. Less traditional but more satisfying was a caramel chewy waffle. We were now freezing so it was important to move quickly and the path allowed us to run up to the high point of 532m, higher than Holme Moss that could be seen in the distance. The descent down towards Crowden on Torside following the Pennine Way was steep and my knees started to object. Walking poles helped but it was a struggle to keep up with R. The path was stunningly beautiful so that kept me cheery, even with the occasional shower of driving rain.

It was great to get onto a runnable path, especially as it was a bit more sheltered too. That wasn't to last long as we got beyond the shelter of the hill and the wind began blowing rain in our faces. Getting close to the road, a group of hill walkers were coming towards us, the 1st people we had passed all day. "Savage up there" I said reassuringly to them, as one chap laughed and the others continued to look miserable, loaded down with heavy rucksacks in the lashing rain. We giggled.

After crossing the busy road, we headed into a nice wooded trail which was kind on the knees. I upped the pace but R seemed to be suffering a little bit so I eased off again. Reaching the railway path towards Hadfield, I got my serious face on as there was no time to dilly dally if we were going to catch the 16:00 train. Allegedly we went along a closed path, but I argued that as I didn't see the sign, then it was fine to continue. I'm glad we did as a stoat ran squeeking across our path.

What a relief to get the train. What was less good was that both the cafe and the co-op were closed when we reached Glossop. I was starving so ethics went out the window and we headed to Tesco instead. It was closed too...the service station was open though and a milk shake and Cheese McCoys did the job. It was a relief to get home for proper food. It had been a tough 23km, in tough conditions with over 700m of climbing. I'm quite tired now.