Wednesday April 6th

 It had been quite a while since we'd visited one of our old favourites, Lantern Pike, let alone done a longer version of the walk, so it was off to Hayfield. The initial path is the bridleway that follows the old railway track from the large car park in Hayfield. We stopped, as ever, for a coffee at the Sett Valley Cafe, which is always good, and then climbed up to Lantern Pike, which is topped by a view indicator. We continued northwards, past Bullshaw Farm and up to the A624. Crossing the road took us onto Middle Moor, where we met a sheep who associates humans with food.

A sheep on the scrounge

Not wanting to disappoint, David fed her a few skittles, which she crunched with relish. We headed for the white shooting cabin for lunch. It really is a great location, and a first-class lunch spot. Sitting on the doorstep, you really feel that you're lord or lady of all you survey.

The Shooting Cabin on Middle Moor- the perfect lunch spot

After lunch we followed the stony Snake Path

Start of Open Country: The Snake Path with the Shooting Cabin just visible in the distance

to the first of a series of iron kissing gates (relics of the Victorians' obsession with fresh air), past The Twelve Trees and across fields to another stony walled track. This took us down to Kinder Road, which runs through the centre of Hayfield. At the start of the Snake Path, there's a cast iron notice announcing the dedication of the Snake Path in May 1897.
Notice: Dedication of the Snake Path. The plaque in the background relates to the Kinder Trespass and the six-month prison sentences served by its leaders

A total of 7.8 miles and 470m Ascent.

We came home to a great supper of Brie en Brioche and Jamie Oliver's Spring Greens (with grated carrots- Oddbox vegetables. The B en B was a defrosted leftover from the triumph of Christmas 2021.

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