Lazy Sunday Afternoons…!

It had been a busy Sunday, I hadn’t even managed to read the ‘Sunday papers’… but the heavy snow was still lying all around me, the hills were plastered in the white fun stuff, the sun was shining… and a clear sky forecast for the evening… what to do ? –the sensible option… ? yes, get ready, and climb up on to Kinder to watch the sunset , should be spectacular !, and that’s what I did, meeting lots of people on the way down, as I headed upwards after 3 pm., and getting quizzical looks from them, as if I’d lost my marbles …!! The snow was really deep as I climbed up through Tunstead, towards Kinderlow End, and glances backwards confirmed the prospect of a clear sky for sundown… I looked over towards Kinder downfall, with hardly a soul in sight…I was ready to enjoy myself …as I looked all around me, I was taken back to my days on the Camino, as my shadow was really strong beneath me, stretching out across the hill

I’d better get a move on though, as stopping so much was holding me back, and I might not get there in time, although it looked like the sky was developing just as I anticipated.. as I got to the top of Kinderlow End, I was able to see the moon already out in front of me, whilst the sun was going down behind my back, can you spot them both ? Just as the sun was going down, some cloud came across the horizon, and spoiled it, although it was still worth it to be up there, wind in my face, snow beneath my feet, and the glory of the world spread out around me ! As it then got darker, and I got colder, I thought I may as well go for a wander, under the almost full moon, and the stars already twinkling in the sky above me..up past the trig point on the top of Kinderlow, and then across the plateau, towards the distant downfall, with views over Greater Manchester and Cheshire stretched out before me.. and the moon casting it’s eerie glow all around with the ghostly shape of an arrow,formed by the distant reservoir, encouraging me onwards, or as we said in Spain ‘Ultreia’ !!

All too soon I’d crossed the plateau, and came upon Kinder downfall, although I couldn’t see much, as the dark chasm dropped beneath me, and no real view of it – I could hear the river still gushing over the top, so I knew it hadn’t frozen completely…I did find a picture of what it looked like the next morning here… http://fstoppress.com/vr/kinder_001/ what great views, and what adventure… although in reality, not yet climbable.. I decided to head for home then, by retracing my steps across the plateau, and down the icy, rocky and treacherous Kinderlow End.. mainly done glissading down the chute ! The stars were out all around, and the nice floodlight of the moon to guide me on my way… down, back into the silent village and home… Now, wasn’t that better than reading the papers !!??- Always !