Grouse with a grouse!

A wonderful late summer day, the hottest September day this century we're told and probably for more than a century.

We needed to go to Hebden Bridge again as Chris had been given a 15% discount against him trading some old outdoor wear. En route we decided to do a 5 mile walk just outside the town around Crimsworth Dean and Hardcastle Crags.

A warm start as we steadily climbed up to Nook. This part of the walk was then end part of our Haworth Old Road walk last month but at Nook we turned off the track to cross a bit of moor to Walshaw.

Here a strange encounter occurred. A red grouse poked it's head out of the heather. Normally they fly off with a squawk but this one came right down to the path to see us off. He/she was very vocal and at one point set off after a passing jogger. But we weren't left to continue in peace. Matching our pace as we tried to skirt past he even flew at Chris's legs - he was wearing shorts. He eventually gave up and set off back along the path. Never seen anything like it before.

Heading down now we came into the woods of Hardcastle Crags, the dappled shade being most welcome. We stopped at Gibside Mill for a coffee and then followed the Mill Walk alongside Hebden Water back to the car park.

Into Hebden Bridge to complete our mission we stopped at the Shoulder of Mutton for a drink and bite to eat (yes two days running!) The pub was the location for the One Show back in January after the terrible floods of Boxing Day. Took a peek in the White Swan which featured in last Wednesday's blip and yes it is still a wreck inside with carpenters and other contractors busy working on it's restoration.

The three walks we have had around Hebden Bridge and Oxenhope in the last 3 weeks have been made into a Flickr album as the scenery and weather has been so good. Here if you want to take a look and see more of the grumpy grouse.