Bridges, lakes and watersheds

Day 19: we set out from Marsden in beautiful sunshine, which lasted all day. Heading up the valley, we came upon, and followed, the old Marsden Packhorse Road, a wonderful path that’s been in use for centuries, including the bridge in the picture. (See https://www.yorkshiremilestones.co.uk/2012/01/31/the-marsden-packhorse-road-stones/ for some fascinating history).

Up on the moor, we joined the Pennine Way again. The footbridge over the M62 scared me less than last time and I was able to walk with my eyes open. The count of lakes and reservoirs reached new heights (14 - easily beating stiles with a mere 2). We crossed the main watershed of the country at least six times, and sometimes were walking right along it, with views from Staffordshire to Penyghent. Manchester was prominent at first, but was gradually left behind. Some of the PW past the reservoirs is a bit monotonous, but the weather put spring in our steps, and by early afternoon we were descending into Hebden Bridge, where as I write we are sitting in Nigel and Ian’s beautiful garden in the evening sun with butterflies. Hebden Bridge is a great place, but it often experiences flooding in winter, so our Track of the Day celebrates various Bridges but recognises that sometimes they are over Troubled Water.