Diggle to Hebden Bridge 4/24/25

When I left this morning, it was cold. I thought I was going to freeze my tatas off. Even though I wore all my warm clothes, I was still cold and shivering. Part of it was that the north wind was blowing up a gale. Today's hike was a bear. I clocked in at 22.8 miles. Plenty of ups and downs, but the real killer was that I had to hike up this giant hill to find my Bed and Breakfast. Just when I thought I was finished, I had to climb the steepest hill of the day.

I am crossing the Marsden Moor, the largest moor preservation project in Europe..

There are many reservoirs in this part of England.

I came across this interesting cafe. Since I had not seen a stop on the trails since I started the first day, I was hoping for a Diet Coke.

The inside was cuter than what I expected in a semi container. No Diet Coke, but this Tango Mango was sugar-free. I really liked it.

This made me laugh. If you can't read it, to get your name on the board, you had to eat: 6 eggs, six bacons, six sausages, 6 spams, 6 black puddings, 6 hashbrowns, mushrooms, tomatoes, beans, 4 fried breads, 4 toasts, and 2 x tea. There were only two names on the championship board. All of this monster breakfast costs about $35.00. Anyone up to the challenge?

The longest bridge that I have crossed. I was happy that it didn't sway.

I walked through a boulder forest. The footing was dicey, and I had to do some mild scrambling. Nothing like yesterday, where there were some technical challenges. Over and over, I had to sit on a rock and feel the next rock with my foot to get down.

At last, Diet Coke. The first one in two days, with ice. The simple pleasures in life sometimes are the best. This is the White House, once a coaching house known as the Coach and Horses, which dates back to 1671.

He was strutting his stuff and wasn't eager to let me pass by.

See that little peak in the far distance - just one of my many goals for the day.

Here it is up close. Stoodley Pike is a 1,300-foot  hill in West Yorkshire. It is noted for the 121-foot Stoodley Pike Monument at its summit.

Coming into town was a waterway with numerous boats anchored on one side.

I saw people playing cards inside.

Surprise dinner. After I cleaned up in my glorious claw-foot tub - Ahhhh - so good for tired achey muscles. I had to go back down that dang hill to find something to eat. I was too exhausted to sit in a pub or restaurant. And that is tired! I saw a Chinese takeout joint, popped in, and took vegetable fried rice home. Picked up a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc and went back up that blankity-blank hill. There were two cookies in my room, so I even had dessert. All is good. Plus, I have tomorrow as a day off.

Goodnight and God Bless