I work nights and Friday was a late one, and bedtime was 5am
Back up at 9, all packed and sorted and it was off to the campsite - thankfully they had room for me as the alternative of the back of my car didn't really appeal, although it's not that bad.
With the tent up, and the wind dropped, it was time for the excitement to start- but where
10mins looking at the map and I decided on winnets pass, and headed right to the top, only to find it far too windy for what I had in mind
disappointed, I turned back but stopped to test the conditions lower down and decided to carefully give it a shot
Click for videoBack to the tent and I'm almost disappointed to find I have another neighbour, hopefully they're not the noisy kind. As it turns out, they're a pair of not unattractive young ladies
and they're struggling with their airbed pump - I don't use the lilo kind of bed anymore but I do still have an electric pump in my boot so, ever the good Samaritan, I say hello and offer a loan of said pump. I don't think I've ever used it, but a good 20 strangers have!! And not all female before any minds start wandering
That said though, I was very taken with these two and their enviable energy and cheery disposition, they were both full of life and I'm sorry to say cupid's aim seemed only to hit me
I spent the evening relaxing with a few beers to the sound of their giggles next door, I found it both uplifting and saddening in equal measure - you see, I'm probably a few years older than they were and I spent a considerable amount of time dwelling on the thought that I'm no longer "young".
I had to cut away from these thoughts, I'd ran out of beer and it was bedtime. But I genuinely admire their lust for life
oh to be twenty something again.
Sleep was hard-won with the noisy cyclists opposite in the evening and the noisy scout leaders nextdoor in the morning but the night was rewarded with a coffee and two big bacon sarnies before packing everything away and heading to my starting point. It felt good to be setting out on my first proper walk in over two years. Sadly no photo's of my camping setup, I didn't get 'round to it.
I set off from the cafe carpark at the top of ladybower, looking forward to having nothing to think about other than one foot in front of the other and enjoying my surroundings but, when I saw the first of the dams looming, I decided a few photo's wouldn't go amiss.
And the view north up Derwent, the first reservoir from the same position;
The path ahead;
The dam between Derwent and Howden. I'd be taking "the long way round";
Howden reservoir petering out, getting close to half way
"Birchin lee" amongst the sycamores..... makes sense
The bridge at "slippery stones"
Howden reservoir
Finally the last dam comes into view