Edale

If you are living in the UK you will have noticed that the weather has hit that seasonal patch called 'unsettled'. This what separates countries that have climates from this country which has weather. The planning of outdoor activities becomes impossible. Seeing as our Sunday was 'free' we decided to either go out on an adventure on Sunday or, if the weather was more suitable, call Sunday ' Monday' and go out on 'Sunday' which would really be Monday. Simple eh! No. The weather forecast wasn't helpful. So, we stuck to Sunday being Sunday and went out regardless.

We took a 90 minute drive out into the Peak District. Our route was along the M1 through the 3 year long raod works at 50 mph (no kidding), off through Chesterfield (Please not there is a Morrison with good priced petrol - Asda price.), then through Baslow up though Hathersage, Hope and Castleton.

Edale is reached by driving through Winnats Pass, which is always spectacular, around the back of Mamm Tor and up and over the ridge which separates the Hope valley from the Edale valley. We headed for Edale. It was a very different place than the one I remembered in my youth. The tourists and the pay and display had appeared. However, most tourists did dress for the occasion and displayed that air of walkers of yester-year.

With Low-pro bag loaded we set off through the village and out along the Pennine Way; which would direct many walkers to the top of Kinder Scout. This was not our intention. We were pleased to be able to walk up the Pennine Way as far as Upper Booth then back along the valley to Edale village.

The Pennine Way

Heather on the Moors

The walk was a bit like some of our experiences in New Zealand. It did rain. We did get wet. A few minutes later we were dry again. However, unlike NZ, the wind was cold, even when the sun shone. Irene suffered with cold hands and fatigue by the end of out 2 1/2 mile walk.

A picnic in the warm car and a pot of tea in Penny ... cafe revived her. We went a short walk back into the village and went into the Moorland Centre. It was a nicely done visitors centre with moorland covering the roof of the two halves of the building with water running over the transparent roof of the central hallway. We a had a short walk over the fields and back to the car.

The Moorland Centre

We made one last stop near the ridge between the valleys. The views from here are stunning.

Edale Valley with Train

We concluded that we should try to find free parking, but we are considering purchasing a season ticket. To do the Kinder Scout ascent we need to be better prepared and should start from Upper Booth car park.

Will we make it next year?