Day 15 Whitestone Farm to Colne 8 miles
After a consultation with our online physio we have been instructed to do some shorter days until the kniggly knee settles down. Finding accommodation, on the Pennine Way within our new range, proved to be impossible. However, the Bronte Way passed right behind last night’s refuge. The Bronte Way could lead us to Colne where The Crown has a bed.
This morning’s emails reminded us of the time we were walking over Blsckstone Edge and the company of Alison and Bob. Not only did we get an enjoyable email but attached was a picture of our retreating backs as we strode off into the distance. We do not have many photos of the two of us and in this photo people are spared front views.
Back to today. Our hosts told us that the moors have been bought by a billionaire who wants to use them for a gigantic grouse shoot. The council, due to shortage of funds, seems unable to do anything to stop this. Enjoy them while you may.
We left Whitestone Farm down a rhododendron lined path. Rhododendrons seem to grow everywhere in profusion here. Our path took us across an open hill and past a farm house. It was the farm house to which last night’s taxi had taken us in error. Had we known this we could have just nipped across the field.
Walking along the Pennine Way we have been spoiled as the way is straightforward, difficult sections have been paved and the infrastructure is in good order. The bronte Way, on the other hand, is more of a Cinderella and appears to have been forgotten by its creators. It is beautiful but the way is full of very boggy sections. Thankfully there are massive beds of soft rush which work very well as bog carpet.
Thank goodeness for the ladders over the walls. I wouldn’t fancy the idea of struggling over these obstacles without them.
Trees are truly amazing. We passed an enormous tree today perched on a massive boulder with its roots wrapped around the boulder suspended over the road. The only reason as far as I could see for it to remain vertical was one of its branches growing to the ground and propping it up.
Our hosts of last night told us that today’s walk was very good and that we would pass through a lovely village called, as far as I could tell, White Collar. I immediately assumed that this was a village of retired accountants, bankers and stockbrokers. When we arrived the prettiness of the place convinced me that I was right about the occupations of the inhabitants if not the name. The outskirts of Wycollar have a ruin. It appears that its owner had run up such enormous debts in its refurbishment that no one could live in it. Over the last 120 years or so timbers, stones, fireplaces, porches, slates etc have all been quietly removed to refurbish other properties by more prudent proprietors giving a more modest yet sensible investment.
Wycollar has an interesting stone bridge with the stones worn down by previous walkers. It also has a tea room serving cream teas at lunch time, lucky old us!
So now we are in Colne. Where we go tomorrow is yet to be decided. Perhaps we should start thinking about it but, perhaps not just yet.