1. July 2003

We haven't done enough camping since we arrived in the UK, so this year we decided to try to schedule some. Our first excursion was to Crowden in Longendale, a reservoir-filled valley east of Glossop, cutting east-west into the peaty moorland of the Dark Peak, an area familiar to those who plod along the Pennine Way.

We pitched our tent in Crowden camp site (a CCC site, tents only), which was very pleasant, apart from the rumble of trucks along the A628, a few early morning jets flying into Manchester airport and a billion midges that ruin any attempt to sit out late into the evening. Ralph of course was instantly voraciously attacked, but the midges also had a nibble at Lenore, which is unusual.

We downloaded some walks from go4awalk, followed one to the letter and the second we shortened a little.

2. August 2003

This time we camped at the CCC site at Hayfield, on the western fringe of the Peak. Still plenty of midges, but a village with plenty of pubs in which to shelter! Another couple of pleasant walks from go4awalk.com and nice weather.