As has become a bit of a tradition with us now, we always tend to have a relaxing New Years' Eve, often with me going to bed early as I don't do late nights these days, followed by an early start on New Years Day followed by a walk. And today was no different.
The alarm went off at 5:45am, and to be honest, I really wasn't ready to get up, but downstairs for breakfast and by 6:45am we were packing up the car for the drive over to the Peak District. The original plan was to do a walk around Derwent and Howden Reservoirs, but Donna had pointed out that she hadn't done a long walk for a while so instead we headed to Burbage Bridge car-park and would do a walk around Hathersage Moor which is around 6 miles as opposed to the planned 11 miles.
I was quite surprised when we got to the car-park a little after 7:30am as there were a few cars already parked there, I wasn't really expecting any. However, the further we walked we saw a few people out with the cameras and tripods so we had our answer. Having said that, both the apps I had looked at were suggesting nothing but thick grey skies so presumably, their ventures were more in hope than expectation.
My photos were not coming thick and fast for the first 30 minutes or so of the walk, it was just too dark and those that I had fired off were at ISO 16000 which those in the know will be aware are a little pointless in keeping. Then, as sunset time approached the skies opened up to an extent, maybe not such that we could get a sunrise but at least the sun was glowing behind the clouds and often poking through the gaps.
Our walk took us over the well-known spots on this moor, Higger Tor, Winyards Nick, Over Owler To and Mother Cap before we crossed the road over onto the Longshawe Estate. We picked up the path alongside the stream that eventually tumbles down Padley Gorge, and the area was just starting to become a little busier. This section is popular with families and surprisingly the ice-cream van was actually out next to the path down from the road; clearly expecting a good day.
We had about 2 miles left to go back to the car, however, it would be a steady walk back as the route picks up the popular Sheffield Country Walk. It's an easy path to traverse, although it is a little deceiving as although only gradual, it is all uphill. The highlight of the section was seeing the Highland Cattle, as often is the case some just hang around the main paths as they are very placid. And today there were Banded Galloways amongst several breeds in the herd.
The car-park was rammed full when we got back, as were sections of the road near the bridge. People were just hanging around the car-park in their motor vehicles waiting for someone to move so they could jump into the newly abandoned space. At 11:08am we were on our way back home.
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