Musings on photography and other daily happenings

The Pennine Way was the first National Trail (long distance footpath) to be established in England. It came into being on the 24th April 1965 after 30 years of negotiating by the Ramblers association et al. It goes from Edale in the peak district to Kirk Yetholm on the Scottish borders. It loosely follows the Pennine range from start to finish and is roughly 268 miles (431 km) long. (The distance varies depending on the book you read). It took me 16 days, with one rest day in Hawes. The weather was pretty amazing, with only one days actual walking in the rain, (Whilst we crossed Cross Fell, the highest point on the whole Pennine Way – fit was windy wet and cold!) and two nights worth. The track was dry – something of a rarity judging by the books I have read and the people we met along the way who had walked it before. Each days mileage is dictated to by where you can find accommodation – or in my case, a camp ground, rather than how far you actually feel like walking. Initially the days are shortish – around 12 -16 miles, but by the end 18 to 20 seem to become the norm. Rather than being grand the scenery is low key: rolling hills and moors, rather than the soaring peaks that I am used to from the Southern Alps of New Zealand. There is little forest along the way, most of the trees having been removed over the centuries, so the landscape is pretty stark. What I loved most was the interaction between man and the landscape. The miles and miles of rock walls, the stone barns, farm houses and beautiful stone villages. I was lucky enough to meet up with Nick Smith on the 3rd day when leaving Standedge. He is the 1st conductor I have ever met! We had a great time together, and there is no doubt that Nick made the trip for me: there are only so many moors you can cross before you start going a little stir crazy. There are more photos here.