Pack Horse Trail

We set off today with the intentions of a quick walk over pule hill and back, but ended up on a 6 hour expedition. Now this would all be well but at this point Jaclyn is pregnant and it is certainly nippy out.

Our walk began with a climb up Pule hill to find that the wind on the top was absolutely howling and it was a struggle to stand up, we both had images of the dogs disappearing across Sadleworth moor and into the distance if a sudden gust came.
With the wind aside the views where fantastic and we had the hole ridge to ourselves, probably because nobody else was stupid enough to be up there in that wind.

After a quick walk across pule hill ridge we got to the remembrance cross over looking Marsden stopped for a breather and to watch a lone sheep trying to make a run for it before we got any closer.
There is a large brick structure with some form of steam coming from it on the end of pule hill, after a quick inspection and some pondering we couldn't come to a conclusion of its purpose.
Answers on a post card........

Instead of heading back we decided to go and explore tunnels end which is the point at which the canal appears from the hill after a long dark tunnel under Saddleworth moor.

The path was wet and slippy and our unorthodox route down was tiring, and conviently led to the tunnels end pub, where we enjoyed a lush steak sandwich and chips. The staff at the pub where fantastic and friendly and made our brief stay an enjoyable one.

From leaving Tunnels end, we headed up the old pack horse trail, by this time jaclyn was starting to feel the strain of carrying bambino up the fells so we took it slwoly and she showed true grit and we finally made it to the top to join the pennine way for the home stretch.

With the sun going down and our whole party tiring we made the final slog back to the car for a brew.
This little trip took us 5 hours and turned out to be a fantastic day out from which we managed to capture some great photographs.
All our photos from this day and many others can be found at here.