Day 15 Wednesday November 2nd The High Peak

 Today again we planned something different in the Peak District, as yet we had stayed in the low "white peak" area of the National Park and today we planned to venture into the higher, more desolate "dark peak" area further to the north.  After breakfast we filled our insulated coffee mugs, got our gear together and set out for the uplands.  We were on territory we had 

farm near Glossop

not explored before and after a few miles the landscape became more rugged and hilly. As we approached the metropolis of Glossop the farms were distinctly less pasture and more moorland.  When we arrived at Glossop we turned onto the Snake Pass road which links Manchester and Sheffield.  We had read that during most winters the road is closed because of snow.  We were now climbing quite

Snake Pass landscape

steeply but eventually we reached the top and were surrounded by 

from snake pass

bleak moorland.  It was bleak, rugged and wild with no sign of habitation.  It carried on like this for several miles and then we started to descend.  The descent was similar to coming up - steep and windy.  Soon we could see the water of reservoirs including the Lady Bower Reservoir which were created for the large cities which surround this area.  We stopped and took a 

Lady Bower reservoir

picture of the Lady Bower which was still at a low level even after the significant amounts of rain we have had recently.  

We carried on and by this time we needed a coffee and light lunch which we were able to get at a nearby pub.  Adjacent to 

new homes for the displaced

the pub were some newish houses which had been built to rehouse the people who had been displaced by the waters of the reservoirs flooding their homes.  It seems over the years many folk have been displaced for a variety of reasons!  The landscape was now more wooded

landscape near pub

 although still hilly.  We carried on and soon were passing through villages (Bamford and Grindleford) that were part of the character of the park.  We arrived back in Bakewell, sorted ourselves out and by now it was looking as if it could rain at any minute so we drove into town and found a pub producing good typical grub which we enjoyed as a dinner.