Day 5 - Winstone Lee Tor and Cutthroat Bridge

All slept well, rising at 9.30 for bacon and egg sandwiches. Misty and chilly but with the sun breaking in places we drove to Ashropton (which was partially flooded when Ladybower was built) and parked in a large lay-by next to the water. We did a slow meandering climb through bracken, across Ladybower brook, past Cutthroat Bridge carrying the A57 east. The early part of the route followed the ancient road to Sheffield and over a ladder stile was passed an old milestone 'Sheffild 7 M'.

Switching back and further up past a sheepfold we sheltered behind a dry stone wall for our lunch, enjoying the sunshine. Up across dense heather and peat moors simply teeming with very chatty grouse and past numerous stone grouse butts (hunting stations), some with spent cartridges still inside them. At the top we were rewarded with spectacular views of the upper part of the reservoir and the steep sloping valleys down to it. The sun rays through the fine mist turned the water into liquid gold where they hit.

Myself and J walked on a bit to the Wheel Stones said to resemble the silhouette of a coach and horses. Up close they were flat ovoid stones stacked atop each other in a natural formation. The route up to them had a lunar quality, marked as it was by peaty sand and flat boulders. Joined back up with G to begin our descent past the Hulking Stones and Winstone Lee Tor. It was hard going through rocky gullies but finally we were in a pine forest just above the water and the car.

6 miles, 4 3/4 hours.

Home for cake, tea and hot showers. Phoned Curry Cabin in Hope to order our supper, getting beer and choccie at Spar on the way. It was all delicious - bhajis, pakora, chicken korma, lamb with okra and peppers, dhal, rice and naans. All washed down with Tiger and sauvignon blanc. Yummy! Two games of Scrabble, both of which went G's way: J 3, S 0, G 2.




Words by J