What a stormy night it was tonight. Only three owls braved the elements tonight as we endured (enjoyed ) a battering around the Castleshaw Skyline.
Setting out from the layby on Huddersfield Road, we ascended the fields to reach Harrop Edge, where my headtorch instantly died. With two new owlets in tow, I couldn't turn them round and spoil their outing, so on we pressed towards Standedge.
Climbing onto Millstone edge we were subjected to the full onslaught of the gale force ...winds. With low cloud and driving rain, visibility was reduced to only a few metres, which evened my hand, in the visibility stakes. With Des and Bruce, tucked in behind me, their headtorches afforded me no light as I searched out the route across Millstone Edge and Castleshaw Moor. Like a hound on the scent of a fox, we successfully followed the indistinct trail across tracts of wet boggy ground and glutinous peat to eventually arrive onto firmer footings along the Pennine Bridleway.
Setting out from the layby on Huddersfield Road, we ascended the fields to reach Harrop Edge, where my headtorch instantly died. With two new owlets in tow, I couldn't turn them round and spoil their outing, so on we pressed towards Standedge.
Climbing onto Millstone edge we were subjected to the full onslaught of the gale force ...winds. With low cloud and driving rain, visibility was reduced to only a few metres, which evened my hand, in the visibility stakes. With Des and Bruce, tucked in behind me, their headtorches afforded me no light as I searched out the route across Millstone Edge and Castleshaw Moor. Like a hound on the scent of a fox, we successfully followed the indistinct trail across tracts of wet boggy ground and glutinous peat to eventually arrive onto firmer footings along the Pennine Bridleway.
Heading along Broad Lane towards Heights, we descended Hey Flake Lane and crossed the stream at the ford, which was thigh deep and in spate. Returning to our start point, thoroughly soaked to the skin, we'd enjoyed a fantastic outing on the hills. "Bloody brilliant that!", was one of the lads comments.
To answer to your comment on the hill lads, carrots! Eat plenty of carrots.
PS, Sorry no photo tonight ...
To answer to your comment on the hill lads, carrots! Eat plenty of carrots.
PS, Sorry no photo tonight ...
