3 days in the Peak District

My days-off were mid week and I'd gained a lieu day so with my 3 days off I decided to head to the Peak District. Finishing work at 22:30 I drove to the Lady Bower Reservoir arriving there at 1 am and rolled out my sleeping bag on the dam. It was a semi peaceful sleep once I got use to the water lapping up against the dam and eventually fell asleep.

Waking early I walked to the visitor centre nearby and brushed my teeth at the toilet block before heading to Stanage Edge - climbers paradise.

 

I headed out in a little circular route before returning back to Stanage Edge and then down in

Hathersage for some supplies.

 

 View from my cave room

 

 Robin-hoods Cave

I was the only person staying the night and it was bliss. I perched out before bed and took a few photos whilst enjoying the view from my private spot. Lights flickered from Hathersage and Hope in the distance. I could see a the cement factory, its red lights blinking. A low mist rolled in and swirled around submerging the whole village apart from the white industrial site. It looked like a castle.

I slept amazingly well snuggled down my sleeping and bivvy bag. There had been a slight wind outside but inside the cave I was sheltered.

Next I headed over to Hope and retraced my steps to a walk I did back in 2009.

I wild camped opposite Win hill and enjoyed the sun set. It was set to rain but thankfully didn't as I only had my bivvy. The sky for the most part was clear and starry - luckily.

Malham Tarn Wild Camp

So one evening I decided to wild camp above Malham Tarn in the Yorkshire Dales. I'd normally just cowboy camp but with the weather forecast to be pretty dismal I took my tent as well.
The rain wasn't due to hit until 18:00 so I set off an hour before to get set up. I'd spotted this location whilst out on a bimble with a friend so thought why not.

The clouds looked pretty foreboding as low mist hung in the air. I ascended the craggy hill which caused my feet to get soaked from the long grass. Pitching my tent on a flattish ledge over looking the tarn I relaxed bare footed. I chilled watching the white fog come and go over the water.
Birds called out randomly as the evening rolled in. I retreated to my tent as a layer of damp was beginning to cling to everything. I read for a bit - Eat Pray Love before falling into a nap. I woke at 22:30 to sound of rain falling. It fell for a good hour as I lay nice and dry completely content. Next came the wind which kept me up striking at my tent from all sides.

This was not as peaceful and I lay awake for the next hour trying to pretend my tent wasn't bending  in. Time passed over and soon did the storm. Poking my head out I was amazed to find that the fog and clouds had lifted to reveal a crescent moon shinning down over the glacial lake. I gazed out for long time and enjoyed the celestial beauty of the old hunting grounds.

Dales Way Day 4

Day 4
9.69 miles - 15.6 km

Well! What a windy night! It only just started when we went to sleep. I could hear it coming through the trees first, travelling down through the valley before striking at the tent. Tom was on the windy side so the tent flattened him first leaving me untouched. He eventually got out to re-peg the tent at midnight. I slept on and off through the night. Rain struck at some point and splattered sporadically. Waking for 5 am - by this point we'd have enough so were walking by 6 am. We didn't have to go far to reach Barden bridge following the track. Continuing on we follow the River Wharf and enter the Strid wood. It's a dense wood and lovely to be hiking through it. We pass by the Cavendish Pavilion which was closed till 8 am so we refill our water and keep going. It isn't far to Bolton Abbey as we follow the ebb and flow of the path. 

Outdoor activities for kids such appear around each bend and we occasionally get glimpses of Bolton Abbey. We head into the grounds and I chose to cross via the stepping stones. The abbey stands in all its crumbly beauty in the dull morning light. I'm glad it's free to venture inside. We take a moments rest and chill in the grassland and play Pokemon Go. Along the river and through a forest and then Tom's knee pain returns. Luckily only two miles remain and we soon got these done. Ilkley comes into view after the last bend of the river and we come back into civilisation after briefly leaving it. Then flower shop I'd read about in the guide book appears next to the old bridge and where we find the twin stone bench.

We're done! 😀

We take photos and chill out before walking into the town. I see a Greggs and gorge myself on pizza slices, a sausage roll and doughnuts. We then wander around waiting till 3 pm when Tom's friend will arrive. We settle into the grass area in front of the car park. Suddenly I’m knackered. I think the past three days have caught up with me. Then at 3 pm he arrives - car keys in hand! 
We profusely apologise and thank him promising baked goods in return for the good deed. Then we  set off to Windermere where thankfully Oyo is still there. I bid good bye to Tom and zoom home to the Yorkshire Dales where my bath awaits me.