The Peak District
What a beautiful place it is.
This week I decided to spend a few days there since I had no work or commitments. I was going on this trip to test my stamina on hills, practice my navigation and have some fun. I decided I was going to go 3 days before I left, short notice right!
But no worries I have my trusted day bag, food in the cool box and my trusty car for travelling and camping in. With everything packed, my bed in the back and no work I started my drive.
4 hours after leaving home, I arrived! With only the afternoon to fill I took a wander up Mam Tor, Hollins cross, Back Tor and Lose Hill or Wards piece. A nice easy walk to stretch my legs from the car. Then dropped down of the main footpath and weaved my way back using a variety of different paths practicing easy navigation, after all that's what I was here to do. Thankfully the weather stayed dry and bright for most the afternoon, the clouds did look a little bit threatening later in the evening when I was back at my car. Unfortunately this damaged my plan to watch the sunset upon Mam Tor, but never fear I still had 2 days to go!
Back at my car I made my self comfortable, shoes off, bed ready and dinner cooking on the stove outside. Tonight I was having the camping special of Pasta and tuna with some vegetables mixed in. After years of eating the same meal when i'm camping or expedition you would think I might become bored of it. Well you're right. But I was feeling lazy after my walk and the wind was quickly picking up meaning I didn't want to spend more time outside than was needed. So pasta it was.
With dinner eaten, pans cleaned up and stove packed away it was soon 7PM, With my plans to watch the sunset ruined by the clouds I decided I would take a quick walk up and over Mam Tor and come back, just for fun really.
Back in my car for 9 as the light began to fade, all that was left now to was change into PJs, get my bed comfy, put my phone on charge and get a good night sleep.
My trusty car has all sort of convenient things for camping, such as the plug in the boot that I can charge my phone from and plug the cool box in. This meant that while I was getting comfy and for the first bit of the night my phone was on charge and in reaching distance, rather useful when people keep talking to you.
After my comfortable night sleep, not to hot despite the weather, I was ready to take on the day! Right after breakfast that was.
With breakfast in my tummy, sat nav set and my day walk roughly planned out I headed off.
Today I was walking up and around black Hill with lots of navigation and micro navigation practice.
Today was a slight mess up as I spent so much time practicing my micro navigation at Brockholes Wood and Hey Edge, I didn't have time to rest much at black Hill, it was a quick lunch stop and water break before heading on the Pennine Way back to my car.
Back at the car I was grateful to be able to take by boots of as I had gained blisters on both my heals, dam! Never mind put some plasters on it and continue. I made my way back to my camping spot at the bottom on Mam Tor, cooked and ate some dinner while watching some Netflix (you've got to chill some times and rest your feet)
After dinner the sky was still clear so I decided to head up Mam Tor to watch the sunset, what a good idea it was beautiful that night.
However due to my blisters I decided not to wear my boots but flip flops instead. I do not advise this!
With the sun set, sore feet and a comfy bed, we all know what comes next.
With the early sun rise I was awoken at 5AM, but promptly put the cover over my head and fell back asleep. When i awoke at a more reasonable time of 7am I finally got up. Today I had planned to go to Kinder Downfall but due to my blisters I decided not to. So with a slow get up and breakfast, I repacked my car for travelling and made a long drive home. The drive was made even longer by having to go past Blenheim palace which was holding country file live that day.
As I made it home, I unpacked my car, put my cloths for washing and had a quick nap!