After a late plea from the manager (hereafter known as the bride) Meg was summonsed into the squad of two. She had initially been deslected on the potential grounds of lack of suitability for the half time venue aka The Grouse Inn. Fortunately for Meg under pressure from the bride (and the fall back position of a pint in the beer garden wearing hat and gloves) I agreed to take her with me. As it proved it was a proper pub and let dogs and muddy walkers in thus saving the day if not my ongoing battle against alleged obesity.
Hayfield is a cracking little village nestling in the foothills of Kinder but rarely prone to great 
weather. Today was a grey but dry day but the cloud was just about high enough to see the tops. Using my aged but previously trusty guide we set off along the Sett Valley trail before climbing steeply towards Lantern Pike. Aiming to reach the top of this veritable mountain, (370 metres is big when you compare it with what I believe is 6 inches), we searched in vain for the "stile on the left". Eventually we realised that said stile had probably dissapeared 20 years ago and by then we had missed the turn. It was still a steep climb so I contented myself with the justification of sufficient sweat occuring. As in previous entries top wicking from the Xmas pressie ensured low residual niff factor! It was then a trek across the fields towards the lunchtime halt. Meg today had clearly learnt from Thursdays jaunt and was only running 30 yards ahead.
weather. Today was a grey but dry day but the cloud was just about high enough to see the tops. Using my aged but previously trusty guide we set off along the Sett Valley trail before climbing steeply towards Lantern Pike. Aiming to reach the top of this veritable mountain, (370 metres is big when you compare it with what I believe is 6 inches), we searched in vain for the "stile on the left". Eventually we realised that said stile had probably dissapeared 20 years ago and by then we had missed the turn. It was still a steep climb so I contented myself with the justification of sufficient sweat occuring. As in previous entries top wicking from the Xmas pressie ensured low residual niff factor! It was then a trek across the fields towards the lunchtime halt. Meg today had clearly learnt from Thursdays jaunt and was only running 30 yards ahead.Fortified by a nutritous couple of pints but clearly weighed down by a chicken sandwich and seriously dehabilitating salad we encountered the obligatory upwards hoick straight after. This time it was described as a gentle climb that co
ntinued for a couple of miles. Added to it being across peat bogs made it seriously hard word. Meg had decided that she was now an uberfit animal charging off ahead in search of water and pools to swim in. Blonde brain to the fore surfaced shortly after as she launched herself into what appeared to be a dark and deep pool. Dark yes, deep only in terms of the depth of mud. What went in a blonde emerged a foul smelling black variety of lab. I did contemplate having to go and drag her out as she struggled to get herself back on firm ground but decided that a times like this dogs need to assert their independance. Anyway she made it and for some strange reason stayed on the path thereafter.
ntinued for a couple of miles. Added to it being across peat bogs made it seriously hard word. Meg had decided that she was now an uberfit animal charging off ahead in search of water and pools to swim in. Blonde brain to the fore surfaced shortly after as she launched herself into what appeared to be a dark and deep pool. Dark yes, deep only in terms of the depth of mud. What went in a blonde emerged a foul smelling black variety of lab. I did contemplate having to go and drag her out as she struggled to get herself back on firm ground but decided that a times like this dogs need to assert their independance. Anyway she made it and for some strange reason stayed on the path thereafter.It was great to be away from all signs of civilisation other than the sound of planes high in the clouds approaching Manchester airport
. The descent enabled the first outing of the new Leki poles which took a bit of getting used to. Because of the pace I walk at I rarely get anybody come past me but I was overtaken by a guy with a friar tuck hairstyle as I got used to operating the poles. I am sure they will be a benefit to my battered knees in due course but it didnt stop me muttering about speeding monks who shouldn't be out during the hours of prayer........ . and he spoke to me... heathen!
. The descent enabled the first outing of the new Leki poles which took a bit of getting used to. Because of the pace I walk at I rarely get anybody come past me but I was overtaken by a guy with a friar tuck hairstyle as I got used to operating the poles. I am sure they will be a benefit to my battered knees in due course but it didnt stop me muttering about speeding monks who shouldn't be out during the hours of prayer........ . and he spoke to me... heathen!Once on to level ground we decided that Meg needed a swim/ wash in the river despite the temperature being about 4 degrees c. She looked like it was almost sauna'ish which it probably felt like bearing in mind her genetic upbringing.... it can be awfully cold in manchester in winter! Actually to tell you a bit about Meg she is a rescue dog amazingly. (If anyone ever wants a lab then the fantastic people at Chorly lab rescue are crying out for owners http://www.homealabrador.net/). Anyway Meg is somewhat accident prone having run onto a stick utilising her throat as a brake, ... please dont throw them ever for your dog.., requiring lifesaving surgery, having damaged knees and arthiritic hips and all at the age of 6. Hopefully you can see she is a wonderful dog however and her quality of life is enhanced by being out on these walks. Mind you we are both a pair of crocks when we get home.
That was about it for today other than Meg deciding she hates bridges and insisting on crossing the river the wet way. Today was 10.725 miles according to the phone GPS and despite the dog antics and pole learning activities we maintained our 3 miles an hour pace. Calories burnt were hopefully more than consumed and it did feel easier. Next part of the training regime is the joys of Buxton vs Alfreton tomorrow night, 5-a-side on Wednesday and hopefully at least a short walk before the weekend. A minimum of 12 miles a day is still daunting but at least we are making some progress.
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