Walk Leader: Richard Priest

Number on walk: 8

Distance: 23.4 miles 

Height Climbed 4,970 feet

On a bright sunny morning we gathered outside Berry Brow train station, Huddersfield. I'm not sure what the locals made of 8 walkers setting out from this urban setting @ such an early hour!

We walked the Holme Valley Circular in an anti-clockwise direction. Accordingly we quickly climbed through the fields to the top of Castle Hill where sits the fair monument of Victoria Tower. Our efforts were rewarded by 360% degree panoramic views of the Southern Pennines. We lingered there for a while as it felt you could see forever. We then walked through the woods to Farnley Tyas and then across fields to Thurstonland where the leaders fears about Charolais cattle were dismissed by a bullish group of walkers!! 

We had "elevenses" under shade near Fulstone and after walking along paths once trod by Compo, Clegg and Foggy we descended into the lovely village of Hepworth for lunch sat outside the Butchers Arms over a long cold drink. Under a cloudless azure sky it was hot hot hot. 

After lunch, emboldened by a stiff drink, we quickly pressed onto the Barnsley border and through the plantation to "Hades". A collection of derelict houses long since abandoned. We took afternoon drinks in a lovely glade with picnic tables at Tinker Well, (honestly - would I lie to you), overlooking the lovely Brownhill Reservoir. We crossed the dam at Brownhill Reservoir and passed by Bilbo's hobbit hole @ Underhill, Holme, en-route to Dingley Reservoir, as opposed to Mordor. 

Here we turned the "last corner" and with Victoria Tower hanging on the far horizon like a mirage we passed through Upperthong and Netherthong, (not made up names) for a final pit stop of lollipops and ice cold drinks. As you would imagine we took our ease under shade, sat on tombstones in the local cemetery. It was dead cool under the trees. We then ploughed on through countless "wonky" stiles to Honley for the final, final hill and Holme!!

My thanks to those who joined me on this epic walk. We were blessed with a beautiful day, countless grand views and a number of blisters for our troubles. Such a pity we couldn't make 5,000 feet ascent for the day, I did try!! 

To see photos click 'here'