Day 31 Sat 15th May

14 miles from Hayfield to Crowden
I took the Pennine Bridleway from the campsite through Hayfield and then North to Gamesley, just West of Glossop.
My favourite paths over farmland is via Green Lanes/White Roads/RUPPs/bridleways or whatever the current terminology is. No route finding problems, no boisterous bovines, no stupid sheep, Gyp off the lead. I can easily maintain 3 miles an hour. When I try to navigate my way across footpaths I am lucky to achieve half that speed and Gyp has to stay on the lead.
After Gamesley I transferred seamlessly to the Trans Pennine Trail which took me all the way to Crowden, crossing over Torside dam between the reservoirs. We are now following the Pennine Way and will do so for the next few days.







The reason that I did not start The Pennine Way at its beginning in Edale is not because the thought of the hard slog up Grindsbrook frightened me, or that I have been over Kinderscout at least 5 times and got lost every time! No the reason is that I hate camping at Edale. My memories are that it was always full of tourists determined to get ratted and have "a good time".
From now on I am expecting to meet a few more backpackers. After 31 days I have still to pitch my tent on the same site as another backpacker, although I did meet a couple in transit 3 weeks ago on The South West Coast Path.
Chatting with the very friendly and helpful warden, Mike, he told me that I am the third End to Ender this year. I assume that these are Andy (The Three A's) and Dave (Travelling Man) - see links down right hand column.
My wife Zoe is coming down to see me tonight, bringing my leather boots for The Pennine Way. She is staying with my daughter Rachel who lives in Sheffield (no more camping for her) and I am hoping to have Sunday lunch with them tomorrow at Marsden.