Day 9: Crowden to Standedge

Looking back towards Crowden (1) (Courtesy of panoramio.com)

Leaving Crowden

Looking back towards Crowden (2) (Image courtesy of panoramio.com)

Image of The Great Western Inn (Image courtesy of panoramio.com)

"After a day resting up in Crowden Isaac had recovered from his heat stroke and we where on the road again. But last night we took advantage of our situation, chowing down into some pot noodles whilst sitting on chairs we'd each made. Isaac's, a rock with a pillow on top. Mine, a stool made of sticks tied with long grass. We then finished up with a game of cards played on a wooden table complete with wind shelter that I had made. How very posh!

Anyway, back to today. Upon leaving the campsite we met up with Pennine Way again, heading into a gorgeous valley. As we walked we challenged each other's media knowledge with a game involving remembering celebrity names. (Oh dear! Oh dear oh dear oh dear! - Dad)

After climbing the first mountain that we hit the path followed on to the very edge of a cliff with a good thousand foot drop to our right. Thankfully we weren't walking the cliff edge in the rain. We pushed our way through the wind until we moved down to flatter ground. Unfortunately down there it was no more forgiving as we found ourselves in the middle of wide open moors filled with bogs and marsh, reminiscent of the bog in the film, Labyrinth. Just 5 minutes into the moors and the heavens opened on us. We were soaked so quickly that there was no point putting on our waterproofs. It wasn't before long that we had both mistaken deep bog for reliable path, and filled our boots with repulsive smelling sludge. With no choice but to carry on we persisted down the moor and eventually escaped the rain. Further down the path, when stopping to wring out our socks, we met a couple of young teachers from Bristol who are also walking the Pennine Way. We walked with them the rest of the way to Standedge where we found a lovely pub, called the Great Western Inn. Luckily the owner said that we could camp for free in the back garden.

So that is us for now. New blog tomorrow and hopefully some pictures. "

-Josh-

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Just be extremely cautious when you do hit those beautiful, edge of the world, vistas, especially with those cumbersome backpacks and gusting winds! Looking at Google Earth indicates several more days of moors ahead so be sure to stick to the path and keep a rope handy, just incase. I can't see any cliff edges near the path so that should be some relief to anxious parents, watching from afar. I'm sure that you will both be sensible. Have a good sleep and a dry and exhilerating journey tomorrow, guys.

-Paul-