While the forecast was good, the day started misty and overcast. It was a suitable ambiance for a visit to Top Withins, which was supposedly in Emily Bronte’s mind as the setting for Wuthering Heights. The Bronte Society admits that the actual house looked nothing like the one described in the novel, even before it became derelict, but the setting is bleakly gorgeous.
Soon after, the sun broke through and the Pennines showed their softer side.
While the day’s walk wasn’t particularly long, it was made more difficult because I was moving against the grain of the landscape. Pennine valleys generally run East and west, while my route is generally southerly. Eventually I reached Calderdale, with Stoodley Pike monument standing sentinel over the valley.
After more of a climb than I really needed near the end of the day, the views from the monument back down into Calderdale and on to the hills I had traversed earlier were spectacular.
Day 3 Route: Ponden to Mankinholes via Pennine Way. Terrain: moorland, Pennine Way flagstones, fields, all undulating. Weather: mostly sunny, some high cloud. Daily distance: 23.3 km/14.4 miles. Cumulative distance: 67.7 km/41.6 miles. Accommodation: Mankinholes youth hostel
Come Wind, Come Weather 
Simon, I am very much enjoying following your journey. I am also rather impressed that you were able to get into a “youth” hostel – your youthful good looks are paying off.
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YOUTH hostel? I don’t think that word means what you think it means…
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Another first! How long will the firsts keep coming! I am wondering whether you might manage a first, every day of the journey! It is clear that there is a misconception about youth hostels in the UK! And anyway, you can (and will) outwalk most ‘youths’!
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