Jeri’s Steps: 38,647
Miles walked: 15.1
Elevation: 984
Pints: 3.5
Churches: none
Stiles: 4
Benches: 2

We had an early breakfast today because our walk was scheduled to be a long one. The taxi took us back to the car park on the A62 next to Brun Clough reservoir where we ended last night. Although it was dry, the wind was in force up on the moor. The walking was fast today without too much ascent apart from the gentle rise to Blackstone Edge. We crossed the busy M62 motorway via the footbridge and had our morning snack in a circle of stones on Blackstone Edge. The circle contained rocks perfectly chosen for sitting on; regrettably we were so keen eating our carrots and humous that we forgot to take a picture. We descended towards the reservoirs and (to our amazement) decided not to stop for a drink at the White House pub. On the way we passed the Aiggin stone, a waymarker thought to be 600 years old. Some guidebook writers dislike this section of the Way because it involves walking next to so many reservoirs (Blackstone Edge, Light Hazzles and Warland) but we enjoyed it. The gravel and mud surface was easy and we got lost in the simple rhythm of walking. After Warland reservoir the path turned a corner to the north and there was Stoodley Pike magnificently sitting on the edge of the hill. We’d seen this well known Pennine Way landmark from about eight miles away this morning before crossing the M62 so it dominated our views all day (that and the view of Rochdale to the west). After Stoodley Pike it was an easy walk down the Pennine Way bridleway into Hebden Bridge, though some cows on route proved obstinate and wouldn’t budge so we went under a barbed wire fence into the adjoining field to avoid them. Our destination for the night was the Cross Inn in Heptonstall and we got there early enough to enjoy a post walk pint before changing for dinner. With now three days of the Pennine Way completed we are feeling cautiously optimistic!