The Ten Percent Day

Day Two: Torside to Standedge, 12 miles 

For some reason, we all agreed the second day felt a little more demanding than the first.  The weather was not much (ok, not at all) improved.  A rocky ascent started the day, then directed us along the cliffy ledge of Laddow Rocks, where the sharp drop to our right kept us snugged to the left of the trail (making for some tired knees and feet).  

Cliff, Bettina, Axel, Nigel and Marty

The blogger, Bettina, Axel, Nigel and Marty

As we bopped along in full rain gear, Nigel from Day One joined us again, serving as our ad hoc Pennine Way guide (even photo bombing our group photo). 

 

Happy the wind and rain were at out backs, we hustled across the bog on flagstones (actually recycled from old mills in the Lancashire area and air-dropped in for hand-placement to save the peat bogs the 1990s) on the moors toward Torside.  Despite the many flagstones across the bog, I managed to sink up to my right calf in the muck today.  Not to be outdone, Marty decided to throw in a two-step over a stream crossing and plunged his left boot in the icy water.  The resulting step-squish, step-squish rhythm kept us company for the rest of the day.

Throughout the moors, it is a delight to spy the grouse hens busily orchestrating the movement of their spring chicks across the trails to safe cover under the bog cotton, heather and bilberry.  The hen pops up to oversee a flurry of feathery chick movement, then ducks and runs, only to reappear and direct the next movement of her brood; all the while casting a suspicious eye toward our plodding procession across the stones.  Come autumn, the moors will be a carpet of purple heather and these awkward little chicks will be young birds using all their training and finesse to survive their first birding season (a rich man’s game generally despised by the strict environmentalists of the country as Nigel explained).

The continued inclement weather limited photos today.  Suffice to say we are happy, healthy and were glad to find the Carriage House in Standedge at the end of the day. 

Most important: with 27 miles underfoot, we are now 10% complete on our trek!

Rating notes: Lodging and meals in Standedge: The Carriage House** Newly renovated rooms a plus – helped to make up for their initial pronouncement that Cliff and I didn’t have rooms for the night.! Surprisingly good Turkish fare in the restaurant.