New rucksack purchased and the wallet lighter to the tune of £130 I decided it was finally time to test a full weight walk. The bride kindly asked if that included the rucksack and kit? There are times I question quite what possessed me to marry her. The rucksack is an Opsprey make and I had a highly enjoyable hour in the specialist camping shop at Hathersage. As an ackowledged hater of shopping this is the one type I thoroughly enjoy and I invariably come away with several gadgets I hadn't planned on buying. The new rucksack is substantially lighter but technology has advanced and it can hold an additional 15 litres ( abit like me in my expanded shape these days!!)
I decided to retrace a walk I did in February starting over Beeley Moor but doing the top of Chatsworth before a stiff climb up from Beeley to finish. Although it was only 10.5 miles I thought it would be a good introduction to carrying full weight and also have a challenging climb to finish. I had definately forgotton how different it is walking like this though and was soon puffing and panting across Beeley Moor but then got into a rythem. Mum rang me to update me on Dads progress after his heart bypass operation a couple of days ago. Despite a slight blip he is still doing well although the strong winds did make the conversation difficult to hear on occasions.
The blonde was in heaven having been allowed to accompany me although her countrycraft had neglected her as she had fogotten how to get over some stiles. Empty voids in that brain of hers obviously to blame. Meg likes to think she always knows the way but not having done this walk before she sometimes missed the turn. When this happened she would come sprinting past me and charge off 30 meters ahead as if to say I knew that was the way. With lots of lambs about she should strictly have been on her lead but since she is actually scared of sheep there was not much to worry me. This was demonstrated as we descended Beeley Moor where even the tiny lambs intimidated her.... some guard dog!
Lunch was partaken at the Robin Hood where there is a proper walkers bar although lots of signs prohibited boots and dogs from trespassing on the carpeted areas. I guess this is the indoor version of keep off the grass. I shared a bowl of chips with Meg before we trotted off up the obligatory steep hill straight after lunch which resulted in much heavy breathing and sweating. I had omitted to wear the normal base layer and it emphasised how impractical standard cotten t shirts are when exerting yourself.
The walk over the top of Chatsworth was fantastic, a new walk for me and few people about. The views over Chatsworth were excellent and Stand Tower impressive. There were also a couple of old boys climbing although the desire to clamber up a vertical rockface when there is a perfectly good path round the side eludes me. Still each to their own. I continued to make decent time although it was taking some getting used to with the full pack especially climbing the stiles when the dumb blonde decided she needed lifting over. Words were exchanged so she had the hump for a little. (Bit like being at home!)
The long climb proved tough but at least it was good practice because there will be some proper climbing on the walk. Major plus points were that everything fitted into the rucksack and it was liftable. Downsides are that I am not as fit as I would have hoped but then again once into the rythem of walking I am sure I shall adapt. Sunday and Monday will see the final dress rehearsal with an overnight stop and then its onto the walk itself. I can hardly wait.
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