Monday September 26th

 Lantern Pike (via The Sett Valley Café)

The weather forecast suggested that it was going to be very windy so we decided to go to Dovestones another day. Instead, we went to Hayfield and had a short but really pleasant jaunt there. First stop was the ever-reliable Sett Valley Café for coffee, then we walked up Lantern Pike. The walk up there is on the Pennine Bridleway although this doesn't go to the summit of the pike.

Pennine Bridleway waymarker
We stopped at the top and had lunch, drinking in the ever-changing landscapes in front of us- often going from sun to showers in the space of five minutes.
Kinder (with the downfall just left of centre) and the shooting lodge in the sun

Memorial plaque at summit of Lantern Pike
Jacinta found a sprig of heather on the path. Rather than leave it there, we took it home for decoration. Most of the heather flowers had finished, so it was nice to find the sprig with its flowers still in bloom.
Jacinta with sprig of heather
This time we just took the route down to work our way back to Hayfield. It is, in fact, a lovely walk down with great views of the valley below. We got back to the car and luckily had a quick journey home- fortified by Radio 4, as ever.

A smidge under 5 miles, 270m ascent.

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