Slackhall to Hayfield along the Peak District boundary walk.

06/05/2018.

Smack bang in the middle of a spell of hot and settled weather, we knew from the start that todays walk was going to be a classic. We are wearing brand new boots today,so we hoped we wouldn't be hobbling and blistered by the end of our trek, but having said that boots are far easier to wear in these days than they were years ago. We eventually found a parking space near the Chestnut centre, which sadly has closed to the public, it used to be an Otter and Owl wildlife park but as from last December has closed down due to the retirement of the owners. We had about half a mile up a quiet lane to pick up the Peak district boundary walk where we left it last time..It was only early and the sun was beating down already, thankfully I was wearing shorts and sheltered under a wide brimmed hat. I think my lily white legs might take a battering from the sun today. Ahead of us lies South Head, one of my favourite hills in the Peak district. It seemed a long way off.

We passed through an area of most attractive countryside, lush green pastures. We wondered why we had never ventured this way before. My jaw had well and truly dropped by the beauty of it all. And all this a few miles from the town of Chapel in le frith. Beauty like this remains in your memory forever.

Over the fields and far away our next objective was the Pennine Bridleway, a National trail that runs up the length of Northern England for a distance of just over 200 miles, Starting in Derbyshire and finishing in Cumbria it provides excellent access for those on horseback as well as cyclists and walkers. The section we walked today being familiar ground to us as we have passed along here many times. Its fairly rocky in places, don't think I would like to cycle along it...can you imagine cycling along a rocky track with a headache?...Also lots of puddles along here which Alf [our dog]was most happy about.

At South head we had the option of going round the hilltop on the bridleway or going steeply over the top. Yes you've guessed it, I wanted to go over the top while the others went round...Lifes too short not to go over the top, Hilltops are special places and are always worth visiting. And the views from the 1621ft summit are just superb.Its a lovely little top with a well built cairn and 360 degree views taking in some cracking hills, From Black edge,Shining tor, Chinley churn, Mount Famine, round to Kinder scout, Kinder held my gaze for quite awhile...I drifted off, deep in my thoughts,before snapping out of it and returned to the walk.

Theres a little Tarn on the col between South head and Mount famine where we paused a little while to allow Alfie to enjoy a swim, take a drink and generally cool down a tad, He would have another dip later in the River Sett. On the walk down to the valley we were again treated to great views, I consider this view [ next picture] to be one of the very best in the whole of the Peak district.

At Bowden bridge we decided to call it a day along the boundary walk as this would make a good place to carry on from next time. Before heading back we chose to nip into the Sportsman pub for some Liquid sustenance. A pint of Thwaites Lancaster bomber hit the spot exactly where the spot needed hitting, and the Three cheese and red onion pie was to die for. We drank and ate in the beer garden under the watchful eye of a dog sitting on the roof.

Heading back now and still feeling fresh we opted for the detour that is Mount famine, so glad we did the breeze was beautiful as we sat for a Satsuma break soaking it all it. I would have loved to have layed back closed my eyes and fallen asleep listening to the Skylarks [ but Karen wouldn't let me] She wanted to get going..oh well onwards it is...Oh and I also heard the years first Cuckoo from up there...Magic.

We walked back at a lesuirely pace, This was certainly the best part of the PDBW so far.