Thursday 31 May – Torside to Diggle
What’s that ? Sunshine ? Yes – it is! Fabulous!
Although it started out cloudy, by the middle of the day we did have some sun, and indeed at times, out there on the exposed moorland, we were hoping the cloud might return for a while so we didn’t get too hot! There is just no pleasing some people!
But what a difference indeed that it makes to the Pennines. In the rain and mist it is just so bleak; but bring out the sun and it is transformed. And even Val freely admitted that it really is beautiful and dramatic scenery on a sunny day!
We left our very comfortable B and B, The Old House at Torside, and walked the 3km back along the road to rejoin the Pennine Way. Within the next 2-3km we climbed about 300m to wind up on a narrow path precariously following the contours of an escarpment, feeling almost literally on top of the world. (It reminded us a little of the South West Coast Path except fortunately without the wind!) Down in the valley was the Crowden Great Brook which we followed for a couple more kilometres, before leaving it to climb a little further through moorland to the top of Black Hill, at about 580m our highest point today. We then dropped down a little to wind our way towards Standedge and Diggle between a series of hilltop reservoirs.
It was quite a varied day – streams and valleys, more peat bogs traversed atop giant slabs of stone, steep climbs, steep descents (then more steep climbs of course!), plateaus covered in heather and cotton grass (so called as the flower looks like raw cotton). At times all we could see for kilometres were the gently rolling moorlands, and we felt a long way from anywhere, even though we are not actually that far from Manchester or Huddersfield. And not a drop of rain!
The navigation for today was quite straightforward fortunately, and that also helped make the day more enjoyable. A few other walkers out and about too, including Steve whom we were never far in front of or behind again today. Towards the end of the day we passed several shallow reservoirs, which we later learned provide water for the canal system hereabouts.
Today was a little shorter than yesterday, and by just after 3.30pm we were leaving the Pennine Way to head off towards our accommodation for tonight, Sunfield B and B at Diggle (love the name!). Diggle is a good 2km away from the Way, but happily our lovely host, Bill, has already said he will drive us back to rejoin the path after breakfast tomorrow! And again we are really pleased with our B and B – very comfortable. Diggle itself is at one end of the trans-Pennine canal tunnel, finally reopened only a few years ago – at 3.5 miles it’s the longest canal tunnel and the highest navigable waterway in England.
And so, yes, you guessed it – off to the local pub, The Diggle Hotel, for an excellent burger….. oh, and may be a drink of an alcoholic variety. Back in time to watch that absolutely brilliant UK show, ‘Springwatch’. It’s a tough life….
Total distance: 21km
Scrumpy to Scotch 
You can get Springwatch in NZ on YouTube. That’s what I watch when I am on my exercise bike at home. There is also Autumnwatch and WinterWatch. Last year they filmed at Aigas which is the place I am going to for my Walking and Wildlife week up near Inverness.
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