My big fitness test

I have had this big walk on my mind for a couple of years. I have had to wait for a day when I felt mentally fit as well as reasonably fit for an old man.

Although we often walk in this area we don’t often get very far and are usually looking for birds as a priority.

Today the gardener stayed at home and I headed to hills on my own.

The target was Kinder Scout the highest part of the Peak District National Park. I started at the Trespass Car Park, Bowden Bridge, Hayfield and walked to the South side of Kinder Reservoir - seen in the main photo. It was very windy but I was not deterred.

One option was to do a lower level circuit around the reservoir. I decided to go for a slightly longer walk and took the steeper path towards Kinderlow End - The next Option was a different descent to Hayfield via Tunstead Farm. At that point I took the phone panorama which is the first Extra photo. This shows most of the walk I successfully completed. First up to the top starting out of frame to the right and then a long diagonal path to the top at Cluther Rocks. I have always wanted to do this route but never had until today.  The rest of the walk is along the Pennine Way path along the horizon close to the edge until descending to William Clough - the valley near left end of the photo.

Two Extra photos show Kinder Downfall which sometimes has a waterfall but was almost dry today and second shows how little water was in River Kinder to go over the waterfall.

All the people I spoke to at this tourist hotspot were visitors to the Peak District from Southampton, Milton Keynes and London.  Later there were a few locals.

I set off at 10:10 and got back to the car at 15:40. I enjoyed walking the top but was very tired after the steep descent into the wind.  

I survived on 5 Digestive Biscuits, a banana and plenty of water.

My mobile battery needed some care to complete the walk  - I switched it off for a while walking the descent otherwise it would not have made it - I suspect it was using too many apps especially Maps

My Camera battery made it to the Downfall - this was my fault I should have charged it last night.

Anyway it was a great success and I even managed to follow the test match score occasionally.