Todmorden to Cowling

Weather today: Overcast cool

Daily Miles Covered: 18.4

Total Miles Covered: 502.9

Things of Interest: Top Withens

Personal Comments: The van is now sounding like a van again, not like a traction engine, well done Peter Lynch (Broadfield Garage, Oswaldtwistle). Back at Todmorden, a little later than normal, we set off down The Rochdale Canal at 9.40 am. Today we pick up on the famous Pennine Way, some say infamous PW. The path down the canal is easy walking, so for 3 miles we made good progress. Once on the PW. the path became really steep, passing little hamlets of all shapes and sizes, where people exist on the hillside overlooking The Calder Valley. There are fantastic views over the valley, for little effort when climbing.
Once on the top where it levelled off, the views over to Hebden Bridge and Heptonstall were unsurpassed. We don't have time to dally as the wind from the north east is quite cool. By lunchtime we make Gorple reservoir, so we take 30 minutes for sandwiches, and time to reflect on what was ahead.
4 miles further on we arrive at Top Withens where Emily Bronte conceived the idea for the novel Wuthering Heights. I haven't read it myself, but I know the tale. The area is perfect for a story like this, bleak moorland, millstone grit, and streams pouring down every gulley. I'm sure all the sisters loved it around here.
Down past Ponden reservoir, and on over Ickornshaw moor, to Cowling, where Ross had the kettle on, a good brew after 18 or so, went down well