Day 43 - Whaley Bridge to Edale

The Walker is "waisting " away! The shorts purchased yesterday, usual size, were too big around the middle - he definitely needs a size smaller.

Here's the diet: breakfast - 2 large coffees, a shortbread and a chocolate biscuit: during the day - 3 pints, always including a cask beer and at least one cider, a Snicker bar and /or a packet of pork scratchings ( occasionally a sandwich, but only when I moan that I am hungry! In fact only twice in 43 days!) : evening meal - an example would be beefburgers and /or sausage sandwiches (bbq), with some salad, or a pub meal ( not too often) or a ready meal such as curry and rice or a fish pie - with lots of red wine to wash it down. And don't forget the most important thing - You must walk AT LEAST 12 miles or more EVERY day, with as many hills as you can fit in!

Not recommended for everyone and check with your doctor before you start ( and / or your knee specialist!) And remember to keep taking the daily cocktail of heart tablets and pain killers! He seems to be surviving very well on this and is, he assures me, extremely happy!

From Bernie:

Today's walk 11.0 miles : Cumulative 556.8 miles

Expedition manager, driver.... now dietician & medical support team! Though I do seem to recall 'in sickness & in health' being mentioned at some point in the past!

Another National Park!

Whaley's Water Weekend & we almost missed it! Car-park closed, funfair being set up, even more road traffic than yesterday & narrow-boats flocking in from all parts of the Midlands & North-west. I hadn't realised just how big an event this is & all centred around the canal basin at Whaley Bridge.

Bugsworth Basin - intriguingly named Buxworth on the OS map!

It was only a late change at the planning stage that brought us to Whaley Bridge & then took us to the fascinating Bugsworth Basin. I remember being undecided about the route here, partly because of all the main roads getting in the way, but being influenced by reading that the canal network was particularly interesting - what an understatement! All the restoration work has been done by volunteers: bridges, loading bays, cranes, lime kilns, information boards, models, tramway, twin railway viaducts - &, because of the Water Weekend, packed with visiting boats. An unexpected bonus.

All that remains of Forge Mill, close to Bugsworth

Highlight of the Day: view of Edale from Lord's Seat, probably the finest view of the walk so far &, because of the threatening rain, impossible to do justice in a photograph The climb from the bustle of Whaley Bridge to the seclusion of Rushup Ridge was excellent & the moment that the Mam Tor to Lose Hill ridge came into view was quite breathtaking.

Edale from Lord's Seat

Could have done without the downpour whilst on the ridge: started off as hail, turned to sleet & then just heavy rain. The sun was shining by the time I reached the valley!

Approaching Mam Tor

Beer of the Day: 'Damnatian' from Abbeydale Brewery in Sheffield - one of four ales to choose from at the 'Navigation Inn'. I'd just passed a dalmatian dog outside, the logo on the beer pump, & for no other reason opted for this one! A good choice - another very pale but strong-flavoured bitter.

Song of the Day (an occasional series!): Nick Cave's 'The Mercy Seat'... Johnny Cash, also, does a very good version on one of his American Recordings albums, I forget which.

Section 4 finished & the paperwork signed - Pennine Way tomorrow!

Pam: Get the number? Les isn't even sure what hit her!! She says it was big & white.... could have been an albatross!

Julia: hope Maddie's feeling better, perhaps the black swans will help! When I first spotted them I thought they were ducks but Les photographed them on her way back to the van.

David & Marley: thanks for the message - successfully met Les at 'The Swan' in Kettleshulme, easy walk around Toddbrook reservoir & the evening weather was good enough for a barbecue. Enjoyed the chat - all the best!