The children and other half being out for the day, I thought I’d better do some practice for the Halifax Long March (more of this later). I debated which strategy to take. 1) a shortish moorland walk or 2) a longer road-based walk. The first had the advantage of being a good way to stretch myself a little before the 26.2 miles I would have to do at the end of the week. The second would be easier terrain but perhaps not as interesting. I opted for the first and got out my ’50 walks in West Yorkshire’ to see if I could find another one to ‘tick off’.
I opted for a wander over Rishworth Moor from Ripponden, a walk of 6 miles according to the book. Having also got a box of cards of 30 of the walks I picked up the relevant card and made my way to the starting point near Baitings Reservoir. It took about 20 minutes by car. Unfortunately the road to the starting point was closed for repairs as it went over the thinner end of the reservoir. No problem, I thought, I’ll just go to the other end of the reservoir and walk up to the car park. Starting from the reservoir car park gave some fantastic views down the Ryburn Valley and back along the top of the dam.
Having walked across the dam and through a farm (along a proper footpath I may add) to the Car Park which was the official starting point of the walk I found it was no longer a Car Park! Perhaps this can sometimes be true of our spiritual journey, the point at which we think we are starting on a particular route is not always where we actually do start?
Feeling confident this was the official starting point I followed the instructions which took me past an old Congregational Chapel (opened in 1832 and still meeting at 2.30pm every Sunday) and then off the road and up a steep path onto the crest of the hill to follow the Blackwood Edge Road, which is actually a path. There were again some great views back along the Ryburn Valley and then, eventually across the M62 to Junction 22, being of significance as it is the ‘Saddleworth’ junction, the place I was brought up in! As I dropped down towards Green Withins Reservoir, the junction became visible in the near distance.
Perhaps it was the proximity to my place of origin that took my eye off the ball, but here it was that things started to go wrong again. The AA guides are normally very minimalist but VERY precise and I did count 3 bridges carefully but there was definitely no sign pointing towards Baitings Reservoir! However, I have doubted the guide before and always been proved wrong so I crossed over the bridge and tried to follow the instructions but this increasingly became difficult due to the lack of a clear path. Now, the sensible ones among you are saying, ‘Well, it’s obvious! Go back on yourself to the bridge and pick up the instructions and route again!’. Unfortunately, having set out on the path I was too stubborn to change when I clearly had gone wrong! I did eventually come to a path and started to follow it to a junction where it became clear I was following it in the wrong direction! Not wanting to go over the same ground again, and seeing a route (much longer it must be said) that took me across to the A58 and then down the road to my car at Baitings Reservoir, I took this option. The journey, I am sure, was closer to 8 miles than the intended 6 and took just over 3 hours, lunch being eaten whilst on the move. I am sure the many spiritual parallels that can be drawn from this experience are clear – I’m just hoping that they all don’t apply to my own spiritual journey! The 8 miles cross country walk will, I am sure, have helped me prepare a little for the Long March on Easter Sunday/Monday. To find out more about the Long March please follow this link The Halifax Long March