Tally-Ho! Oct 10th 2009, The Bull’s Head, Monyash.

I'm unable to run at the moment (I'm not too sure if I ever could run), so I set off walking with Pres Park who was intending to run the Congleton Half Marathon the next day and didn't want to wreck his chances of winning first prize.

We left the pub at 1pm and followed the trail NW on Cross Lane, and then on to Mycock Lane, a mixture of deserted tarmac and quiet green lanes that followed the route of the Limestone Way. Just before Flagg the trail headed off WSW, crossing pleasant countryside to Pomeroy where helicopter rides were available for those who couldn't bear the thought of running the rest of the trail.

We resisted the temptation of a ride, crossing the main A515 and the disused railway that is now the High Peak Trail and the Pennine Bridleway. It was really quite warm by this time and I took the opportunity to take my pertex windproof off.

Before long we heard the barking and yelping of hounds - surely the Fast Pack hadn't caught us so soon? A few moments later a Hunt appeared, consisting of horse-riders and a pack of hounds. We were politely greeted by the riders who then attempted to keep up with their hounds. The entertainment continued as we watched a couple of horses refuse to jump some of the dry-stone walls. The riders eventually coaxed their steeds over the walls, but not before one of the riders appeared to have been thrown from his horse.

We continued on our way, following the well-laid trail through Hurdlow and on to Sparklow where we headed south, picking up the High Peak Trail for a few hundred yards before hitting tarmac which took us close to Pilsbury Cottage.

We were making good progress and we thought it prudent to take a 10 minute break to enjoy the pleasant views, the sunshine, a coffee and a scone each. As we enjoyed the scenery, the silence was broken by voices - perhaps this was the Fast Pack? But no, it was a party of teenage boys who were heading for Hartington, the overnight stop on their Duke of Edinburgh expedition. It must have been national D of E weekend for we came across no less than three separate parties of teenagers struggling with huge rucksacks, all with the same strained facial expression.

The flask drained, we continued on the final leg of the trail. The trail took us East , in the direction of, but not as far as Parsley Hay. It wasn't long before the first pack of runners, including Taylor M, Eastwood and Norman appeared, clearly enjoying their day out. We exchanged pleasantries before they disappeared into the distance, heading back to Monyash which was soon to come into view.

Heading slightly East of North, we once more crossed the High Peak Trail and then the A515. Back on good footpaths, we followed the Trail to the lane named 'The Rake'. More runners appeared a few hundred yards to the South of us. The party, headed by Whitehead and his poor little doggy, had lost the trail for a short distance but had soon regained it.

The trail left The Rake, taking a bit of a dog-leg off to the West. This was the only time we lost the trail, fortunately we were so close to Monyash by this stage that it really didn't matter. We soon spotted sawdust and paper again and minutes later we arrived back at the pub by 4pm.

It was an excellent walk which we averaged around 3mph, a good walking pace. I’m sure it was an excellent run, it was certainly a good route.

Summary:
9.2 miles, 1000ft ascent.

A nice unmuddy route - good, because there were no bathing facilities at the pub. The pub made up for the lack of facilities by laying on an excellent meal of shepherds pie with vegetables, followed by fruit crumble. The beer was good too!

Thanks must go to Whitworth and Shipley for the trail, and to the pub for feeding and watering us so well.