Today marked my last day on familiar paths. The first four days of my journey have followed the Pennine Way, England’s best-known long distance path, which I walked twenty years ago. After today I turn southwest and then south, through parts of England that I’ve never travelled before, let alone walked. I won’t be back in familiar countryside until I reach Tuscany.
It should have been an easy day. After the initial ascent from Mankinholes the rest of the day was virtually flat, contouring around the western edge of the high moorland plateau and looking out over the towns and reservoirs to the west. The views were spectacular.
The problem was the wind. It started as a breeze, but got colder and stronger throughout the day. It was coming from my left, across the moors, and eventually it was blowing a near-gale. Keeping my footing over the rocky ground became a constage struggle, not heloped by the fact that the size of my pack gave the wind more to grab at. It made for a tiring day. (On the bright side, however, the freshly washed socks I had tied to the outside of my pack dried quite nicely.)
Day 4
Route: Mankinholes to Standedge via Pennine Way. Terrain: Tracks, high moorland plateau. Weather: Sunny, cold breeze strengthening to strong wind. Daily distance: 1.1 km/13.1 miles. Cumulative distance: 88.8 km/54.7 mles. Accommodation: Carriage House Inn, Standedge.
Come Wind, Come Weather 