What better way to spend rememberence Sunday than a walk across Bleaklow

• Sunday 12th November 2017
• Bleaklow - Just off the Snake Pass on the A57
• Points of interest - Remains of an Airplane crash site from 1948
• Distance 4 miles approximately
• Dog friendly
• Moderate but can be boggy

This was a first for us, I heard about this walk a few years ago from a fellow walker who recommended that we may like it, so today having not quite decided where to walk, and it being Remembrance Sunday, we thought it would be rather appropriate to try the "crash site" we had never been before as we thought (wrongly) that there would have been a small lump of metal sticking out of a peat bog in the middle of nowhere (well that's how it came across when said fellow walker recommded it) Well let me tell you now this was a rather special place, once we'd battled though the peat bogs, it was well worth the trek, to say I shed a tear may be an understatement and the spectacular breathtaking views were just an added bonus.
This is where, on 3rd of November 1948, 13 men from the 16th photographic reconnaissance squadron USAF lost their lives when the aircraft they were travelling in, the B-29 superfortress "Overexposed" crashed whilst descending through cloud, this was a routine flight from
RAF Scampton to American AFB Burton Wood.

• Park at almost the highest point on Snake Pass on the A57 (we parked near a small pond facing towards Glossop" ) DON'T FORGET YOUR EAR MUFFS"
• Walk towards the Public footpath sign, sign posted "Bleaklow, Pennine way 2.1/4 miles" the footpath is generally solid underfoot for at least a mile! 
• Continue along footpath and walk at a fast pace to keep warm if walking in icy temperatures as we did today, forget Botox, just take walk along here when it's bitterly cold! Take a good look around, its beauty at its best, the colours and changing landscape is something else, you can see Manchester in the distance but you really don't have to look at it if you don't want to as it is only about 5% of the view.
• Continue until you reach a "ford" and you'll know when you reach it! 
• Head slightly left at the ford and come off the main "Pennine way" following all the muddy footprints and handprints until you reach the "Crash Site" heading up to the Trig point all the way.
• As you're heading up you will cross quite a few Boggs but please at every moment you stop to take a breather take a look around at the ever changing landscape, fantastic.

• So now you've reached "the site" take a moment and dry those tears (otherwise they'll freeze, especially if you go when it's really cold like we did.)
• Now head a little further up to the trigg point, enjoy the views, eat your lunch and then head back a different route.
• You can go back the same way you came or you can check other footpaths and navigate your way back, however I reassure you that you will end up slipping and hitting Boggs, think you're lost and on the wrong track, it's worth it. 

Sunday 5th November 2017 09:00 hrs -Distance 6.20 miles
What a perfect day for a walk in Derbyshire, I would consider this walk to be moderate in terms of difficulty, a little boggy and muddy underfoot, a fairly steep ascent that is well worth the spectacular views across Ladybower Reservoir.
Park near or at Derwent reservoir visitor centre (here you can use the clean toilets and buy a nice lump of cake)

• Head towards the Damn sticking to the road, don't head up up the steps.
• Continue along the road with the Damn to your left as the road swerves slightly right with a steady incline
• Continue past an old school house on your left until you reach the first public footpath on your left on a slope with a locked gate and a style to the right
• Climb over style and follow the path all the way to the top, taking the occasional rest to get your breath and prepare to have your breath taken again by the spectacular views
• Continue following the boggy path watching for grouse and other wild life (this is where you'll be pleased you brought that woolly hat) 
• Continue until you see Howden Damn in the distance slightly to the left, around this point is a nice spot to take a rest and snaffle up your snap you lovingly prepared before setting off!
• Soon you will start to head down towards the woodland (be careful on the uneven and slippery path, as I found out after almost somersaulting half way down)
• Go through a gate with a broken tree just resting above and follow the path through the woods to the bottom
• Once you have reached the circular path around the damns turn left and follow the path all the way along to Derwent Damn (quite an amazing piece of engineering here and if the water is running over the top you're in for a real treat) 
• There are two towers on the Damn, the tower opposite has a museum housing "the bouncing bomb" and all info regarding the construction of the damns, well worth a visit if you have time.
• Shortly after reaching the Damn there are some steps to the right heading down, there are information boards overlooking the Damn wall.
• Head across the field, across the  ridge and back to the visitor centre
• Enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and a nice lump of cake

If you fancy a spot of lunch or a snack the Lady Bower inn has a varied menu, weather permitting you can sit outside and enjoy the hawks screeching above

If you need to pass through Sheffield on your way home "The brothers arms" in Heeley serves up Yorkshire tapas and some real ales, you can sit in the beer garden and enjoy the multicultural views across Sheffield