Pounding the Pennines: Day 2 Crowden to Standege: Bog trotting

16 miles in 8 hours

The fantastic hospitality from Windy Harbour Farm continued into the morning with a super breakfast and send off from Graham. Nothing quite like an ice breaker than offering a fingerful of Vaseline to our new hiking chum, Ray who was suffering from one of the many perils of long distance hiking.

We started back at Crowden for what turned out to be a tougher day than expected, it was long, extremely boggy and plenty of steep climbs and descents. We navigated a number of tricky water crossings thanks to the recent rainfall in the valley before Black Hill...the ground was sloppy and made for tricky walking so the slabs to Lords Lump were a welcomed treat! One of the team stepped 'off road' and twice took a dip in the stinky bog..Ray and I waved at the bog-plopper from the distance.

Crossing the Homfirth Road under the black clouds, we took full advantage of the much loved hikers retreat tea van. Although I've stopped here before, I've not had the pleasure of talking to the owner. Taking shelter under the lip of the van, we had proper Yorkshire brews in proper mugs...total bliss..we also offered some local entertainment as the van lady likes to spot Pennine Wayers in the distance, make out like she's packing up by lowering the flags, then watch the poor sods run up the hill in her oversized binoculars.

The weather really closed in on the way to Standedge with the threatening rumble of thunder constantly in ear shot. We soon discovered we were walking in the "right" direction when I saw a bolt of lightening strike the valley had just walked out of. We managed to remain relatively dry with the frequent bursts of showers and sun, until the last kilometre when it REALLY rained. The big fat stuff that even the Gortex isn't keen on, gave us a reet good soaking just before arrival!

Accommodation tonight is on Welcroft Farm, we've been out for a bite to eat and dad has passed out cold (9,45) "about to watch match of the day!!"

Thanks for following!!

Walking out of Crowden