The drizzle continued as I took in the steep descent towards Pike Cottage where I was passed by a woman fell runner who smilled "I'm really not feeling this today" I laughed back, I turned around and saw her ascent turn into a jog. Pike Cottage is always busy and the first thing which usually gives it away is the sound of dogs barking which was what my ears were treated to as I passed through the gate before appearing at the front of the cottage. I always kind'a feel like I'm crashing someone elses party because everyone who is sat down turns around when they hear the gate and more often than not you emerge right in the middle of the hot chocolate queue.
Dogs continued to bark while owners talked over them as I made the decision to abandon a summit and instead I'll walk back as the drizzle turned into light rain. The fairy lights of the Snack Shack left a warming sensation as I turned heel, soon all was quiet while over to the west a crack appeared in the cloud allowing shafts of light to spill over the Lancashire plain. With Wilderswood reached I was reminded of the last time I was here in Spring when I paused to listen to the bleat of new born Lambs in an adjoining field. I'm passed by a young family whose whippet reared onto its back legs only to place its paw into my hand "get down Chloe" said the owner as I cupped the paw and smiled "it's ok mate it's fine" By now the crack of light was intensifying and so too were the shafts of light which were spreading south over Cheshire. |
