Saturday 8 October 2016

Mankinholes YH Walk. Day 2.

Hello there. Sounds of the Sixties is just finishing on Radio 2, and I will get this written up now while I'm in the mood. After a breakfast of beans on toast with the leftover pasta from last night, I stuck a few nibbles in my rucksack and set off from the hostel on day 2 of my walkabout. Yesterday I used a yellow marker pen to  record the route on the map, today is a green one. By using different colours I can check the mileage on bikehike when I get back. 
I thought I'd better make the climb up to Stoodley Pike while I was here, I've done it before and the views are quite good. It's easily accessible from the hostel, taking the Calderdale Way and turning right up the steep climb next to the wooden bench. Off I go, up there.  
Just a bit further, almost there. The blue skies were littered with puffy white and grey clouds which were scooting across in the high winds. The higher I got the windier it became.

A couple of views from the top, it was flippin freezing, not a good time to hang around for very long. My plan was to take the track south along the Pennine Way, but this meant walking across the top of a high ridge, and in view of the almost gale force winds I decided the safer option would be to get down to the bottom. I followed the Pennine Way north instead.  

It is so easy to take a wrong turn around here, there are literally hundreds of paths which crisscross each other. You need to know whereabouts you are on the map so you don't get lost.

I came down off the hill, along some farm tracks and through a few fields until I got down to the canal. I have walked most of this canal before when I did a long coast to coast walk. Across on the other side is where I'm heading. A small stone bridge over the canal, and a tunnel under the railway lines. The following few photo's are in the wrong order and I can't be bothered to move them around, so you'll have to bear with me.

The path up the other side is the Pennine Bridleway, it's twisty and turning, with houses dotted along the tracks. I've just come up through a wood here, the water from the hills above is cascading down the hillside from a spout through this stone whatever it is, ha ha. 
This seems to be a dumping ground for boots at the back of a house next to the path. Not sure how they have accumulated so many pairs. Are they lost boots, or have they been discarded? Mystery, I was not going to knock on the door and ask.

I turned around and look up the path I had just come down. The steps are quite steep.

In the bottom it was like a magical fairy grotto. So peaceful, so quiet, just the sound of running water washing over the stones.

Onward and upward, easy farm tracks to follow. Yes, it's sunny but it was still chilly. 
Now these are the back to front pictures. The steep cobbled path between two houses after I came under the railway bridge at the bottom after crossing the main road.

The spooky churchyard with no church. I asked a passing dog walker about it, he said there used to be a church but it was knocked down.

At the gate to the churchyard was this little wooden sign giving two routes for the Pennine Way. I chose the official one.

A bit further on I joined the road into Heptonstall. Coming down the main street it opens out into a cobbled area, with seating overlooking the remains of a church. It was too cold to sit down so I wandered around and took photo's. Apparently there are very few places in England where two churches share the same graveyard. The old shell has been left standing while the newer one was built next to it. For a bit more info on it, take a look at this site.  

A few more pics around Heptonstall.  Cobbled streets and cottages. 


I left the town and joined the road to Hebden Bridge. 
I had a bimble around Hebden Bridge. I have been here before so didn't stop long, and time was getting on.

The Old Mill which is an art gallery and shopping area.


The easiest way back was along the canal, so I took it. I've done enough climbing for one day. I got to the turn off on the main road where you drive up the twisty narrow road to the hostel. It seems much more twisty and steeper when you are walking it. I was ready for a sit down when I got back. One more person turned up that night, he arrived by bus. Derek sorted him out with a room, and after he had a quick snack in the kitchen, I didn't see him again until the following morning. I think he went out.

Check mileage for today, bikehike is telling me it was 12 miles. That's better. Glad to be back in the warm hostel though, out of that cold wind.

Thanks for popping in. We'll catch up with day 3 tomorrow.
Toodle pip

18 comments:

  1. We're so lucky to be getting this reasonable weather in October aren't we, and you are definitely making the most of it. I was busy creosoting wood in the workshop to the Sounds of the Sixties , now I can't get rid of the smell of it. I've washed everything I had on, had a bath and keep blowing my nose, but no everything still smells of creosote!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'd love to see you taking your long walks with a big, strong, young dog. I suppose that would not be compatible with staying at hostels. Thank you for sharing the lovely photos, nothing can beat the charm of these English villages. JanF

    ReplyDelete
  3. A lovely walk with you though those discarded shoes have a sinister air about them ...!

    ReplyDelete
  4. maybe the lost boots are an "artwork"?

    ReplyDelete
  5. I think you were wise indeed not to knock at the door with the discarded boots. Your boots may have joined them....
    lovely scenery thou.

    ReplyDelete
  6. was curious

    you go on so many amazing "walks"..

    are these paths which are open to the general public, or are you hunting them down on your own?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi. They are all public footpaths and bridleways on the Ordnance Survey maps. Anyone can use them. Walkers can use all of them, cyclists some of them, horses some of them, 4 x 4 vehicles and motorcycles a few of them. They usually have signs up saying what's allowed, and what's prohibited.

      Delete
    2. that is lovely, that there are so many, and such amazing public footpaths and such, and that they are actually on maps.

      Delete
  7. Every time I read your blog I feel rather envious of your retirement. You do make the very best of your time, suiting no one but yourself. You just seem so content. How many of us can say that?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Waffle. I wish more people would take control of their own lives, and suit themselves.

      Delete
  8. I admire your stamina, although I would have second thoughts about doing your trips alone in these troubled times. I have one question I've wondered about. What do you do when nature calls and there isn't a handy woods nearby? As this is such a personal nature, I wouldn't care if you chose not to answer it here. Love your pictures.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi. I make sure I am 'empty' before I leave the hostel or wherever I am staying. I don't drink a lot, probably not enough, and if I am hot my body loses water through my skin, so I can probably get away with 2 or 3 pees a day.

      When nature calls there is usually a place to hide in the bushes, but if I am heading for a town or village, I make sure I go before I get there. On the moors there are very few people where I walk, so a large boulder will give me cover. If someone gets a glimpse of my bare arse from a distance then bully for them.

      I don't get much notice when it's time to pee, something to do with how they stitched me up after the hysterectomy I think, so I make sure I go when there is cover, and not leave it too late.

      As for troubled times, I have never felt at risk of attack, I keep a good lookout all around me. I feel more at risk in a town or city centre.

      Delete
  9. Fab views Ilona.
    So nice to see Heptonstall. I didn't have time to explore there this year. I read a comment somewhere that it's like Haworth without the tourists. Another time.
    Great mileage in such a hilly spot.
    Jacquie xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jaquie. Yes it is like Haworth, maybe not quite so big, but it's lovely and peaceful.

      Delete
  10. Thank you Ilona for letting us joining you on your walks. Photography is excellent. I love the boots.

    Hazel c uk

    ReplyDelete
  11. loved those photos of Hebden Bridge. Berings back memories of cycling through there and we even went to the café I was so tired!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thank you for all the beautiful photos Ilona. Glad you enjoyed your break.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I'm still enjoying your walk about trips and photos. I like clicking on the links to view the spots you visited as well. My "British" in me is satisfied when I see these places. ;.} Looking forward to the next one and glad you're enjoying your walks. I was happy to not be sore the day after our walks up steep trails while visiting waterfalls last weekend. I guess I'm better shape than I thought I was! Comes with walking more when we're at home. Happy weekend!

    ReplyDelete

Some comments will be accepted. I decide which are published.

Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.