Today’s walk is a favourite of mine – possibly because it always finishes in the Bank View Cafe or as I call it, the Spotty Dog cafe, with a delicious bacon buttie and a cup of coffee. Also because I walk it with the same friend every time ! It takes us around Langsett Reservoir situated on the edge of the Peak District National Park – through woodlands and over moorland ..
The weather was kind to us as we ploughed forwards – some harder than others ( okay well I had to stay behind to take that photo…) Strangely there were very few humans in evidence but the cackle of geese on the reservoir kept us company . As we exited the woods we crossed over one of Millie’s favourite spots and progressed upwards towards the moors with spectacular views of the reservoir….
Up here the cackle of geese had been replaced by the “ha” “ hahahahaha” of the red grouse – a sound described as that of a jolly sort of fellow who likes a belly laugh.
Personally I didn’t feel this particular bird was either jolly or in the mood for a belly laugh….He seemed very upset that we were anywhere in his vicinity though we had no intention of going anywhere nearer! No matter we continued bravely on !
Two striking points to note here – the very astute of you will see in the distance what look like vehicles , and indeed they were because that is the Woodhead Pass which is a major road connecting South Yorkshire and Greater Manchester traversing the Pennine Hills . The other is the burnt ground on which yours truly is standing. Moorland fires have been a real problem this year because of the continued dry conditions …. who knows how they start but I’ve got a very good idea . As we walked a little further on there on the floor was a cigarette butt ( did you know it takes at least 14 years for those to degrade ) … I mean, is it me??? Why on earth would you want to smoke a cigarette whilst out in the beautiful clean air of the moors? A recipe for disaster ! Some folk don’t have the sense they were born with … on reflection maybe they weren’t born with any in the first place …numpties.
Now I had hoped to photograph some lambs to show you Dear Reader … however I realised that whereas farm sheep are lambing now ( they have the protection of the fields and the farmer) these moorland sheep will lamb later to give the lambs a better chance of survival on the wild moors. Do not fear , I will find lambs to photograph …..
As we neared the end of the walk – bacon buttie in mind ….Millie got her water fix . When she gets really muddy( and she does) people suggest I might give her a warm shower ……rubbish, cold water is fine, she lies down in water of any temperature, almost the colder the better! Garden hose makes a brilliant shower!
So the culmination of the walk …..bacon buttie and hot coffee! You can’t beat it – I’ll leave you with the following thought ….for me there is no truer saying 💕💕💕
Camino Romero 