Holyhead mountain...…..20/01/2019.

Some would laugh, That's not a mountain!!...Standing at the 720ft mark, I would have had to agree...But, just when does a hill become a mountain?..Is it a certain height?...some folk say 2000ft...After climbing Holyhead mountain yesterday i have realised that its not all about height, for Holyhead mountain has, despite being only 720ft high all the attributes of a proper mountain..Its rough, its rugged, it dominates the surrounding landscape..and whats more it says it's a mountain on my map so that's good enough for me.
We parked up in the first RSPB car park [The one near the ancient hut circles]. Getting out of the car we were instantly hit by my favourite sound...Silence..Have you ever heard silence? Its lovely, I could listen to it all day..Silence was broken by the sound of grunting and heavy breathing as I bent over to tie my boot laces. We walked down to the cliff edge path stopping occasionally to enjoy the silence.At the cliff silence gave way to crashing waves on rock and the call of seabirds. There are some steep drops here, Unfenced. I peeped over the edge, I wondered how many dogs had fallen over the edge...or even children..it must have happened...We dawdled along enjoying the scenery, especially the views towards the South stack lighthouse.

We climbed steps passing Ellins tower, a place to watch the seabird colonies on the cliffs, before climbing more steps passing an old lookout building...from here we watched as a Sealink ferry was nearing the end of its journey from Ireland to Holyhead..The great views continued as we pressed on...I was really enjoying myself.

Soon our route veered away from the coast to pick up a broad path across moorland heading straight for the mountain...it all got a bit confusing as there are so many paths around here..i ditched the route I was supposed to be following to just do my own thing..it didn't matter.

We passed a small tarn below the summit..it was a spot to slow down and take a few photograph. We watched as several men from Air/sea rescue were doing some sort of training with ropes over the rocks..I thought about asking them about statistics of dogs falling off cliffs as it must happen. As I stood here I watched a man climb down the rockface at great speed...im going to stick to the paths.

Before long we were sat at the summit, looking down on the port at Holyhead..We drove through Holyhead earlier in the day and I can honestly say its a bit of a shithole...it looked much nicer from up here.

Its a grand little summit, apparently on a clear day you can see the Wicklow mountains over in Eire,i strained my eyes...not today. A man and a women turned up with 2 collies that didn't like Alfie so we went...I have noticed over the years that Border Collies and Springers never get on.Im guessing that collies are jealous of Springers smouldering good looks.We dropped down from the summit heading back to the coast.

Back at the cliffs we heard a right old commotion kicking off as two blokes were running around shouting a dogs name...That's another one I thought...some people have a thing about not putting their dogs on leads...I suppose they just don't care...Almost back to the car now..we sat on a bench to watch and listen to the sea, a lovely end to a lovely walk..

A windy day on Derwent edge....13/01/2019

Another day, another walk...we used to visit the Peak District every other week, we did this for years and years but just recently [the last year or so] it seems difficult to find the time to go there. When we do manage to get there these days its a real treat. Not having to work this weekend, so I jumped at the chance..I Let Karen choose the walk for todays visit..She said she fancied Derwent edge..Yep im up for that, you cant go far wrong with Derwent edge...The weather looked quite promising as we left Donny but by the time we reached Ashopton it was grey and drizzly..we sat in the car for 15 minutes willing it to stop..it didn't..Waterproofs and boots were donned in the car..still raining...it was that sort of rain that soaks you to the skin in minutes...Sod it, lets just go for it. I tucked my camera away into my rucksack, I don't think I will be using it much today...The thought of not being able to take photographs pissed me right off..i felt quite grumpy...We set off to pick up the path that starts at the southern end of the edge..we eventually made it up to Whinstone lee tor. I have always regarded the view from here as one of the very best in the district...not today though...could see chuff all...we were really being battered by the rain now and the wind was so strong we were stumbling around...out of the murk the Wheel stones suddenly appeared we nipped behind them for some welcome shelter..A gulp of water and a humbug raised the spirits slightly [im easily pleased]

We thought it had been windy..we had seen nothing yet..We left the rocks and the wind seemed to up it a notch. By the time we had reached Dovestones tor it was getting a bit scary, I had never heard wind roar like this before...I got blown off the path onto my knees, this was getting serious. I eventually managed to stand, only to be blown over again...I literally crawled to a large rock the size of a car and sat down...I looked across to Karen and Alfie...He had a stupid look on his face...She was bent double unable to move..The rock I was sitting on [ that was the size of a car] was rocking in the wind, I couldn't believe it...I have never witnessed anything like this before...Time to shorten the walk. We had planned on going over Back tor and Lost lad but in this wind we just wanted to get down off this hill so we slipped down off the edge path at Bradfield gate...We could have chosen a nice low walk, but no we ended up up here braving the elements...Sitting at home now though writing this...I realised that I kind of liked it..it made me feel alive...This is what we need in our lives....Real adventure.

We left the edge path, turning west ,we were now walking head first into the weather..but as we dropped down amazingly the wind did start to ease..amazingly the rain slowed then stopped...result, get the camera out...at last I could begin to enjoy things

The clouds slowly lifted and there was even a bit of blue here and there..This is what it is all about.

We even saw several other walkers now...and we thought we were the only silly buggers to be out on a day like this..We are not crackpots..we are part of the most popular pastime in the country, there will be thousands upon thousands of other people out walking today..a simple pleasure...I couldn't live without it..we picked up the lane along Pike lowe...the views are superb along here as we dropped back down to Ladybower.

Down on the track by the reservoir..almost over..keep going..lots of folk around now, families out for a short walk on a sunday afternoon with clean dogs and clean shoes ...we looked wet and bedraggled..we got some funny looks.."Mummy look at that dirty dog"...oh yes son he needs a bath.It looks Horrible.....I felt like pushing the little brat in a muddy puddle..of course he is muddy..because he is a proper dog..

Back at the car....time for some scran.

Friday 11th January 2019.

A walk from Penistone.

Can't remember the last time I added a walk to my blog, I suppose I have been a bit lazy of late. Time to get back into it...I do enjoy writing about my walks, it keeps me out of trouble and gives me something to look back on..Todays walk should be a cracker, I have submitted it to be used in the Ramblers summer walks programme. The starting point for the walk is the free car park in Penistone town centre [ the one next to the old Paramount cinema.].. The walk starts by crossing the road then passing through the churchyard of St John the Baptists church, an interesting old churchyard. I would have liked to have had a look around but wanted to get cracking. I set off along the Trans Pennine trail soon leaving the old town behind...I passed through the village of Thurlstone, picking up the track that is known as High bank...I have always enjoyed walking along here, its easy uphill walking and the views are fine..I paused often to take it all in..i remember walking along here years ago watching a bat..Nothing strange about that !!..but it was in broad daylight...now that is strange...No bats today.

I came to the end of the track..just up the road a bit I visited the Royd moor viewpoint...I had been walking almost an hour..A bit early for my elevenses break but this spot is just perfect ...several sheltered benches and a most interesting toposcope with a great view of the Spicer hill windfarm...I counted the turbines 20?...or was it 21...Like them or loathe them you have no chance of ignoring them..I kind of like them.

I enjoyed a coffee before setting off again...Downhill now, heading for a string of reservoirs in the valley... Ingbirchworth, Royd moor and Scout dike reservoirs popular with Fishermen and Birdwatchers...Walkers like them too...Much of todays route is following the Penistone boundary walk, a 16 mile route that circles the town...one day I shall walk it.

Crossing a busy road...then a not so busy Railway line I suddenly found myself in an area so quiet, so peaceful..i could of heard a pin drop..if I had a pin, I would have tried it ..I walked along a narrow lane [Carr lane]..I saw no cars..This is Gunthwaite, a quiet backwater..a couple of farms a couple of scattered cottages and Gunthwaite hall with its ancient cruck barn..that's it..its a perfect place..I walked along the lane for just over a mile...im not a great fan of tarmac but with no traffic it was no  great hardship

Passing Gunthwaite spa and Dam and it was uphill, rather steeply at times.

Ahead of me now was the village of Hoylandswaine..a hilltop village that is famous for being open to the elements..i realised this as I sat in the churchyard eating Cheese and onion Naan bread with Bacon Frazzles...The sky had become as black as a crow..i decided that it might be prudent to find the pub to sit this approaching storm out...The Frazzles by the way were horrible..i shant be eating them again..I repacked my rucksack, put my collar up and lengthened my stride...5 minutes later I was stood propping the bar up in the Rose and crown quaffing Farmers blonde ale.

I enjoyed it in there...chatting to the manager and a local fellow listening to current stories circulating the village and their tales of some of the locals...Looking out of the window it seemed a bit clearer so reluctantly I moved on..It was soon downhill all the way to Penistone....Passing a smelly farm on route..2 dogs ran out to greet me, barking wildly..i refused to be scared, reaching out to stroke them...come here you buggers I said....they ran off..Down by the Don I came to Boulder bridge an attractive old Packhorse bridge..half a mile later and I was back to the car...The walk had been exactly 10 miles and had worked really well although I might tweak it a bit so that there is less road walking...but then again, I might just leave it.