Friday 18th May.

Day 1 (Edale to Crowden) has been a very long day. We were up at 6.00 am ready to be picked up at 7.15 am to drive to Edale by mini bus from Kirkby Malham, where we had stored our cars. We didn't start the walk until 10.30 am. All was going well until we realised we had taken a wrong turn and had to retrace our steps. What should have been a 14 mile day was 19.5 miles and we didn't finish until 8.00 pm, when we reached Crowden. We climed Jacobs Ladder without too much difficulty. Most of the terrain was boggy and very bleak. The last six miles was over very difficult terrain, walking through streams and negotiating narrow ledges and loads of rocks and boulders. The best bit is that if we can cope with today, we can cope with anything and we have the first day under our belts. some parts of the walk are paved and whilst this makes it easier, it is harder on the feet. It is quite strange walking through the peat areas, it is very spongy and is a bit like walking on a trampoline. Provided I can get a signal, I will keep you updated as we go along.

Day 2 (Crowden to Standedge) completed and we didn't manage to get lost. We did 13 miles today across peat bogs and marshy moorland. It was another tough day as there were 4 quite big climbs. However, we have now said goodbye to Derbyshire and are working our way through Yorkshire. We will soon be in the Yorkshire Dales, which are great to walk through. My body parts are holding out quite well. Several of my colleagues have developed blisters, which do cause some discomfort. We passed four reservoirs today, all of which were virtually empty. There must be a water shortage around here. The weather has been kind to us so far, I walking in shirt sleeves today, but we are forecast rain for tomorrow.

Day 3. (Standedge to Hebden Bridge) This was a walk of 16.5 miles mainly across open moorland. We were quite fortunate with the weather and although it drizzled a little it was not difficult walking. There were a couple of climbs but also quite long stretches of flat open road especially around several reservoirs. One of our party was having considerable problems with blisters on the heal and when we arrived at Hebden Bridge we were able to buy a new pair of boots with much more room, which seems to have done the trick. The day took us seven hours and we were quite pleased with the progress we made.

Day 4. (Hebden Bridge to Ponden) Today started with a very tough breakfast hill out of Hebden Bridge. Before long we entered Bronte Country with miles of rolling, wind swept moorland, which was very boggy in places. We passed a ruin that supposedly inspired Emily Bronte to create Wuthering Heights. This is very desolate terrain and we were lucky again in that although it drizzled, the rain was not torrential. The member of our party, Jill with the blisters was able to walk much better today with her new boots. So far I am doing well. My feet are in good order but the legs are tired. Onwards and upwards.