We've had some really nice weather this last week and a bit and i fancied a bit of a break to get up on the moors but busy busy. Luckily i had a motor in for Wed's/Thurs, service & mot. Knowing it doesn't do a lot of miles i worked through and had it ready by Wed/s evening with a mot test at 10 Thur's morning. Got it in a bit early, got back to work, picked up my bag and off i went. Parked up and set off down the lane across the low moors and not a soul about. Once over the first hump and out of sight to anybody that may come up behind me, t shirt and shorts off and walked the rest of the lane naked, turning left up a track to go up to the top and the pool
The view as you get there
walked round to the far end ..
and settled down for 5 mins. I'd taken a baguette, a packet of crisps and some bottled water so had that.
Later, a walk back to where you come into the pool and the track i climbed to get up there continues up the moor and beyond so off i went up the track, naked & barefoot. It does do you good to get your bare feet on the ground.
Just before the pool goes out of sight.
carrying on, i must have been coming up here for something like 40 years, i remember being up here while a was in my 20's. Further up the track is a cairn, always been there ...
It's always been there, no idea why or if it has any significance. Carried on walking for a while then turned and went back to the pool. Previously i've walked a good half hour away from the pool over the moor if not more and it's very rare to see or meet anyone. The track is a public footpath and goes on for miles with others branching off. Done the odd one or two but not for too far at the moment. Only problem is the bracken, it fills the ground around it with bits of itself as it dies off each year and the aren't good for walking over with bare feet..
A view from the highest point i got to yesterday ....
And once back at the pool, a few steps to the top of the mound to take the view there...
The lake over yonder is Hollingsworth lake, well known in the general area.
Another 20 mins or so and time to work my way back down the hill. Once down at the track i would turn right to go back to the car but for a change i went left. Not been up that part of the track for a good while. At the end it goes through a farm yard and over a bridge over the M62 and works it's way round the moor on that side, finally coming out at the lake. My only attire at this point is a hat, my glasses and for walking the track, a pair of crocks plus the bag i was carrying. Once at the motorway, turned back and set off for the car. Normally i would stop at the last hump and don the shorts but yesterday i had a look over first and still not a soul in sight so walked all the way to the car naked. Felt wonderful afterwards and slept like a log last night.
for anyone reading this that recognises the general area i'm on about and would prefer somewhere round the corner where they can lie in the sun, skinny dip and wander about naked get in touch and i'll point the way.
BnL
