Kinder Scout

Kinder Scout is a high moorland in the center
of the Peak District. It has a rich geologic
history, and played an important role in
the history of hiking in the UK.  The Edale
Valley sits between Kinder Scout and Rushup
Ridge/Mam Tor.  The town of Edale is located,
oddly enough, in the Edale Valley.  Today's walk
started in the town of Edale at the beginning of the
Pennine Way.  The Pennine Way is a well known long
distance trail in the UK that is very popular........
especially on bank holiday weekends.........of which,
this is one.

The last ice age played a large role in shaping
Kinder Scout and the Edale Valley.  I know little
of Kinder Scout having only explored its edges, and
will not likely have a chance to explore further
during my current stay.  The Edale Valley is a rich,
verdant valley that is a pleasure to walk through and
to view from the surrounding ridgelines.  The green,
steeply sloping sides of the valley are currently
decorated with the white of grazing sheep and the
purple of blooming heather.
Kinder Scout was the scene of a mass trespass
some years ago.  To over simplify, the goal was
to open up private lands to the public for hiking.
Today, much of the private land is open for hiking,
which is a good thing, and the Brits make the
most of it.  I arrived early to beat the crowds
and succeeded in completing the first half of the
10 miles before the crowds hit the trail.
It was a typical UK summer day with periods
of showers and sun.  A tee shirt and shorts
were enough one minute and the next required
a fleece layer under raingear.  The crowds were
the typical British hikers ranging in age from
less than a year old to well over seventy.
The hike started on the valley floor in the
heart of Edale.  It wound its way through a series
of pastures filled with feeding sheep before veering
off of the popular Pennine Way and ascending a steep
slope on a rocky trail beside a stream that ended
on the southern edge of Kinder Scout.  There are few
trees in the Edale Valley; therefore, there
are unlimited views in all directions.  Once
above the valley floor, much of the valley is
visible, and once on the ridgeline, miles of the
surrounding countryside are visible.
This is where lunch was consumed........
while sitting on a rock.......in the rain
........watching the clouds roll onto
Kinder Scout and obscuring the view of the moor
and the valley below.  Twenty minutes after
finishing lunch, the hike was resumed........
in tee shirt and shorts......in bright sunshine.
The hike along the southern edge of Kinder Scout
and the descent back to the Edale Valley floor was
completed in bright sunshine.  This is a place
I wish you all could see.
I hope this finds all well where you are.
DWR

Ireland

Ireland is: - green- picturesque
- historic
- wet
A lot more can be said about it, but I will let
you ask Michelle or Melissa when and if you see
them.  They should be landing in Atlanta soon.
It was a great trip.


The ladies planned the trip, which is one
reason it went so well.  We spent time in
Dublin, Wexford, Hook Point, Youghal
(sounds like y'all), Killarney, Blarney,
Adare, Cashel, Roscrea, and Kilkenny.  We
went to a performance of Riverdance;
attended a folk dance festival; explored
an 800 year old light house that is still
operating; walked a Blue Flag Beach;
kissed the Blarney Stone
(at least one of us did); toured ruined
abbeys, castles, and other historic sites;
enjoyed a wide range of ethnic food some of
which was Irish; toured a 250 year old
brewery and sampled its wares; and sat
is a couple of pubs listening to traditional
Irish music.  The weather was a pleasant
mix of rain and sun.  One could count on
having weather that they liked at least
once during the day.

The hero of the trip was Maggie. 
The first day, she got me from the port
to the hotel through rush hour Dublin
traffic regardless of the many times I
was in the wrong lane and could not turn
as she directed.  She almost unerringly
guided us from place to place all through
the week.  Today, she guided me from the
airport hotel back to the port through
the rain flooded streets of Dublin in time
to catch the Holyhead ferry.  Ask Michelle
how long it took her and Melissa's bus to
get from downtown Dublin to the airport
hotel yesterday evening.  The streets
were flooded, two major sports venues
were just releasing their crowds, and
working folks were trying to get home.
Maggie, I salute you!

I hope this finds all well on your end.
DWR