Day 34

Composed on Day 34.
A straightforward day today: along the Tissington Trail to the Royal Oak at Sparklow just a few miles W of Monyash. No route-finding issues, no gradients (though I subsequently discovered that it is a steady uphill for the entire 15 m. I know I am walking N but I had not anticipated this).
The day was nice and bright at 6, heavy rain by 7. Fortunately it was not going to be a long day so I was happy to wsit-and had real milk for my tea!
More rain then sunshine from 8,30 so off by 10.
Described my journey to a nice lady and gave her my “business card”. 5 min later as I was leaving the site I easy hailed “Hi Mike” and her son, Max, had cycled after me and had a pound for me. Thank you Max and mum.
The Tissington Trail is a delight. True it is a bit hard under foot and is necessarily very “linear” but initially it is flanked by nice woodland and I was serenaded by lots of birds. Later it opened up and I had grand views of the limestone landscape.

Quite a few families cycling up and down, had several “good lucks” as people came from behind and passed having read my banner.
Had my photo taken (twice)

Passed a group of girls chatting and 10 min later 4 of them had doubled back to talk to me about my walk. Two (Caz and Caz) each gave me £5. The others were going to donate via my website. They were so generous in donating and in their enthusiastic encouragement. Thank you all of you that was a great boost. I hope you enjoy the blog.

Sunshine until 12.30 when the black clouds below arrived

I stopped under a bridge to put on waterproofs and chatted to an “eating group”. They each produce a course for their meal (have been meeting to do this for 35 y). Now they are retired they do this on a “mobile” basis (staying at Hartington YH this time). One gentleman in the group was 79,had two hip replacements, and could was 6-7 m. That is impressive.
Cold rain for an hour then eased so stopped for lunch (3 h 15 min walking without a break. I’m getting fit). Another chat with a well wisher and then last 4 km in 45 min and I arrived just as the next heavy rain started.
15 m in 4h 30 min.
Splendid “pot of tea for two but only one cup”. So good I had another pot.
Then “upgraded” from camping to a bunk barn and booked a meal for 8. I’m a sucker for an easy life.
Long day tomorrow (especially if have to detour into Edale for food) so an easier early start will be great.
4,30 now off for a shower and a lie on my bed.

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