Day 3 Diggle to Hebden Bridge

 We clocked up almost 18 miles today. Lots of Trig points and reservoirs today.  We started from our accommodation in Diggle where we had a mile and a half uphill to rejoin the Pennine way where we left yesterday.

Love the dog friendly areas and this doggy station was great. 

 once we got high up the mist came down and we could see very little I was told the path today would lose the sense of remoteness  that we’ve had so far with the conurbations of Lancashire and Yorkshire squeezing the Pennine way into a narrow corridor but with the mist we still felt like we were in the wilderness. Millstone edge is the first of the several gritstone edges that we took first and is a long old way, unfortunately, we could see nothing 

 

 Soon we reach  the 640 Road then we have an airy path across the White Hill with a trig point

we spot this

 then across the M62 motorway. The bridge we cross on is perhaps the most impressive motorway crossing for any footpath.

Then we cross Redmires which has been improved by using the slabs and then climb up to the grit down splendour of Blackstone edge another trig point,

Then this modern stone marker

Which is in stark contrast to the ancient aiggin  stone just beyond which has been guiding travellers for 600 years

Eventually we reached the Blackstone edge reservoir

Thiswas the first of many Reservoir and it was a long monotonous track that never seem to end eventually we reach Warland reservoir 

Here we turn left and get our first view of Stoodley Pike. It seemed to take an age to reach it but was well worth a visit.

You go up the inside where 39 pitch black steps lead to a gallery with extensive views

From here we have a couple of miles down hill to the canal where we leave the Pennine way to divert to Hebdon Bridge 

From here we take a lovely stretch of the tow path to the Pub. 

We had originally booked a B&B in Hebdon bridge but unfortunately the owner was taken seriously ill so we had a room booked in the Silent Inn a few miles away. This was difficult to sort due to late notice and dog friendly so we needed a taxi ride. We will return via taxi in the morning to where we left the route. 

This could mean a late start 

Kirsty celebrated todays long day with a pina colada 

As we continue to raise money for the mental health charity mind we thank our latest sponsors. Also a thanks to Richard Findley for his auction that will got to our charity. 

https://www.justgiving.com/page/steve-jane-kirsty-1704720779976?