17/03/2019.

Over the hills to Bradfield dale.

After a week of wet and windy weather, I wasn't really holding out much hope for todays walk..Expecting more of the same. I pulled the bedroom curtains apart [ about an inch ] and peered out...Blimey Blue skies..KAREN!!..Hurry up..we are going out..We guzzled tea and gobbled a hot x bun and we were off..The walk today was to be around 10 miles long from Wharncliffe side Over the hills to Bradfield dale. Its a walk I have submitted to the Ramblers summer programme..An area I know really well on paths I have walked many times before...should be a good day..We parked up at the Glen howe car park....Couldn't believe it, the skies were still blue...we set off up the lane climbing from the word go.

We passed through the small hamlet of Brightholmlee before dropping down to More hall reservoir..The wind was bitter although signs of spring were popping up everywhere..Daffs added a splash of colour..Great tits were singing their little hearts out..like they were competing against the watery song of the local Robin population...Love to hear our songbirds at this time of year.

We walked along the shore of More hall reservoir..Dodging joggers..We walked in single file as they passed us 3 abreast...They just will not get out of the way...maybe they think they are better than walkers..Karen got angry as we always had to give way to them...I don't get angry these days..Its not worth it...Another thing we noticed was the number of Border collies out walking today..i counted 7 in about half a mile...weird.

After More hall came Broomhead reservoir...before long we were climbing up through the woods...up and up..then up a bit more...we crossed a minor road before heading up and up then up a bit more through Pogs wood...don't know who Pog is but it put me in mind of a Tv programme I enjoyed as a young un called Pogles wood..Folk of a certain age will remember watching this...As we headed up and up then up a bit more we noticed things had changed....where was the blue sky?...why was the sky white?..The heavens opened but not as quick as my rucksack as I scrambled to get out my waterproofs...These show showers were to come and go throughout the day...luckily they only lasted for 10 minutes or so...Before long we were back to blue skies...we were gaining height ...some lovely views were opening up

we sheltered behind a wall for a bite to eat...peeping over the wall occasionally to see the next shower heading our way.

Heading off again we noticed that some of the ladder stiles around these parts were a bit of a problem for dog walkers...I had to lift our old boy up onto them a couple of times..Years ago he would took them in his stride, usually leaping over the wall beside them...but now he needs a helping hand...bless him....we set off towards Rocher edge...I love this walk as the views are superb.

Downhill now...we passed a group of twitchers..we had a chat..about Spaniels and Red kites..Always nice to pass the time of day with fellow outdoor types....I love the path above Agdenside and then Agden reservoir...I was in my element...After Agden reservoir and its fine old Oak tree we followed a steep path up to High Bradfield....Steep?..sorry bloody steep...in fact im beginning to think I may have underestimated this walk....maybe strenuous instead of moderate...up at the church we found numorous benches ..time for a sarnie before a visit to the pub a pint of the local brew [ Farmers blonde]

After a pint...it was up hill again over Onesmoor with its great view towards the peak district...the rocks along Derwent edge standing out nicely..From the summit its all downhill..Along lanes and then the access land on Bent hills..we passed this old road sign en route..one of several of its type in the area.

Almost back now...Glen howe park has a confusing amount of paths but we kept heading downhill eventually making it back to the car park...passing some nice little waterfalls on the way.

Sportstracker on my phone tells me we have walked 10.5 miles...I have thought of trying other walking apps but I believe Sportstracker to be the most accurate...Been using it for a few years and its always spot on....Really enjoyed myself today...days like this are the reason we go walking.