Pennine Way Day 4 - Hebden Bridge to Ickornshaw

Leaving the impressive and very sunny Hebdon Bridge after an enjoyable stay in The Riverview B&B

Parish Church of St James the Great - Hebden Bridge

Looking back down the valley towards Hebden Bridge (near Slack)

Don't mind me I'm harmless

A good looking Chap near Gorple reservoirs

A peaceful spot - Graining Water

At Walshaw Dean Reservoir No 2 we made a big mistake - Seeing the steps up and over the wall and knowing we had to take a right at the second reservoir we headed up and over and ascended up a hard gravel track to what we thought was Withens Heights (Wuthering Heights). It all seemed to fall into place - but we'd headed off right too soon and should have stuck to the waterside path. It was a mile before I realised my mistake - unlike yesterday, this was purely down to me, and we are mindful of the time, as the England/Germany game kicks off at 5pm. There was no correction that could be done - just re-trace our steps after all that ascent and walk even quicker in the hope we may see some of the game !

More slabs over Wadsworth Moor

Top Withens - Made famous by Emily Bronte.

Sounds a bit dodgy to me !

It was at Top Withens that we said goodbye to Brian (and his heavy bag) as he headed down the Bronte Way to Haworth in preparation for meeting up with us again on the evening. Brian's all important duty was to get a table in a pub with a TV for us to join him later for the match - he certainly did well in that respect. Although at this point, we felt it would be unlikely that we could cover the miles and then get back to Haworth to be able to see any of the game.

Cracking on at great pace as we skirt past Ponden reservoir

In all my years of walking - this is a first, Chinese signposts all around the Haworth and Bronte Way paths - Wierd ! Didn't know the Chinese walked the Pennine Way in great numbers - didn't see many on our trip !

As we pressed on quickly, our eta began to reduce - Davy suggested a plan which had a feint chance of working - When we reach civilisation - and on the Pennine Way this is very rare, rather than getting our taxi straightaway, let's see if there is a pub where we can watch the remainder of the first half and book a taxi to Haworth for half time ! Not outside the realms of possibility

No let up as we climb Old Bess Hill - For once a nice grassy path

Back on the slabs on Ickornshaw Moor - An hour to kick off, this is becoming a possibility. No let up in the pace, but it was taking it's toll on my feet as I was beginning to feel a lot of discomfort on my right heel - but hey, lets get to the pub and slap a compeed on later.

Heading down towards the town of Ickornshaw which seems to be joined to the larger Cowling

5 minutes to kick off - We get to Cowling, find the Bay Horse, book a taxi for half time, settle down for the first half with a nice cold pint of real ale - We made it, now we just have to beat the Germans.

2nd half in the Kings Arms at Haworth - missed 5 minutes due to a herd of cattle on the road during the taxi journey, but hey, what a great night - Columbia in Stroud all over again !

To cap it all, we had a decanter of complimentary sherry in our room to finish the day off - well it finished me off after all of todays exertions, I was wiped ! We didn't even get any tea - getting food on the Pennine Way is not always straightforward - but tonight, who cares !

Sorry if today's walk write up was dominated by football - but one thing I must also mention, is our stay at the Ashmount House in Haworth - This place was excellent and all the girls working there are absolutely lovely - we had a great room and a great stay and I would highly recommend it to anyone. Oh, by the way - the walk was good too.