David and Jacinta's Walks- 2023

 The Longdendale Reservoirs It was wet and windy (again!) but we decided to go out and do something regardless. Crowden beckoned and, rather than any ambitious route, we headed for a more sheltered walk around the reservoirs. We walked along the north sides of the Torside, Rhodeswood and Valehouse reservoirs and up to Tintwistle where (surprisingly) the Bull's Head was open. We popped in, only to find that it was set up for a wake, but the landlord kindly served us a drink and we were able to dry out a little. We were a little disappointed that none of the resident animals (Walter the dog and the beautiful Siamese) were in evidence. We then went on to Tintwistle village and paid a visit to Pixie Bakes as it was open and happened to meet there Mary Fitton, a former colleague of Jacinta's from many years ago. Onwards into the rain and wind after this; we passed the Bottoms Compensation Reservoir "Gauging Basin" with an impressive overflow waterspout. The gauging basin w...

A Stroll Around the Longdendale Reservoirs We had decided on a relatively low-level walk today, so we parked up at Crowden and ambled around the flight of reservoirs running down from Woodhead. We crossed the Torside Reservoir dam to walk along the more pleasant, wooded southern side of the reservoirs. The water level in the Rhodeswood reservoir was high enough to spill out from the rectangular outflow- another "hole in the water". We decided to have some refreshments at the  Pixie Bakes Cakery and Coffee Bar  in Tintwistle where we'd had coffee last year in very different weather. On our return, we crossed the Bottoms Reservoir dam and admired the ornate "Gauging Basin". Bottoms Reservoir Gauging Basin On reaching the Torside Reservoir dam again, we decided to take the permissive path beside the reservoir itself, rather than taking to old road back to Crowden. Just under 10 miles, negligible ascent.