Day 5/18 of UCU strike days and the sun was shining. A good day to walk off work angst in the Edale Valley (or above it). A walk in three parts.

1. Up

Set off along an idyllic valley, wide path, easy on the upwards, parallel to a stream.

The path and stream eventually merged and became a random sized boulder hewn, waterfall drenched clamber up. And up a bit more.

There was the odd person/people ahead and behind in the distance. A woman was clambering down.

‘Is it worth it?’ I asked, peering up at what looked like a cliff face.

‘Mmm.’ She thought for a moment then said more definitely, ‘Yes, yes it is. I’m just starving. I didn’t bring any food.’

Food? Now there’s a thought. [Gulp]

At the top the landscape was transformed. The sun had gone, leaving peaty, dark, forbidding and stunning.

2. Across

Across the top were flagstone paths and eery rock formations. ‘Be careful in the mist’ warned the book. It wasn’t misty and easy to get lost as paths disappeared between boulders and intermittent flagstones. Some looping the loop, wearing out Sid.

‘Eh, I think I’ve seen this rock before…’

A man appeared in the now rainy and almost misty terrain. A sassy and chunky corgi type dog with him reminded me of Stan and the Peepy Thing.

‘We’re trying to find the Pennine Way back down to Edale…’

‘Ah, you’re doing the opposite way round. Just follow that path straight up there, you see those people in the distance? There’s a left turn that meanders down to the valley.’

3. Down

Down was as spectacular as up and across. Just different. Taking in Jacobs Ladder (the path down to the bridge below), a few cairns and more of a rolling valley feel.

At the bottom, a tiny nativity scene in a stone alcove by a farm. Dylan, Dougall and Brian had pitched up packing that Peak District punch.

And the sassy corgi was already back in Edale.

Practical stuff: Train station or pay and display car park in Edale. (No phone signal to pay online so cash needed.) Dogs can be pretty much off lead the whole way (depending on their temperament and ability not to leap off massive rocks into space.) The clamber up is quite something though a quick google suggests alternative routes up.

Snackage is probably a good idea (!) The Nags Head, open Weds-Sun, has a good set of nosh options including various sausages, mash and sauce.