I went for a longer walk yesterday (Easter Sunday) starting with West Nab, then down towards Wessenden Reservoir, up to Black Hill and finally home via Blackpool Bridge. It’s my first time this year taking this much loved route.

West Nab was peaceful. I only passed 3 people. I paused to soak up the expansive calm half way down:

It got really busy by Wessenden. The grass verges of the stony path were disgustingly dotted with dog poo. I know I’m being presumptuous but I think a lot of non locals walk along here. They clearly don’t care as much as we residents do. We’ve had a spate of moor fires already this year (as well as the swan with unhatched eggs that was killed a couple of weeks ago at Windybank res…) The ground was bone dry, the moorland grass like kindling. I warily eyed people from behind my sunglasses in case they looked suspicious or had disposable barbecues concealed in their backpacks. Nobody said hello.

I was relieved to get across the A635. It was much quieter. I tried to have a short coffee break by the stream but my plan got sidetracked by these beauties coming down quite a treacherous path straight towards me:

I haven’t seen cows up there before. Life’s full of surprises.

Onwards to Black Hill. It’s a tough last half mile and I had a few 10 second stops to catch my breath and take in the views:

I got to the trig point:

but a bloke was just clambering on top to have his photo taken. After offering directions to a pleasant good-humoured couple my age whose route had vanished from their phone and had been going uphill for 5 hours (!!), I went a bit further down and had a proper stop to savour my half hot cross bun (I’m still not a fan but it’s an Easter tradition) and the rest of my coffee. It was so peaceful:

and the sun felt hot. I lingered a while. I’m never ready to go home.

I forget my troubles and my daily worries. The scenery is spectacular. I rarely get lonely. My internal chatter was upbeat and positive – I was good company. A bird popped up out of nowhere and sang a beautiful warbling melody and there’s always a skylark, singing effortlessly forever and ever.

After dinner I watched Until I Kill You. Anna Maxwell Martin is one of my favourite actors and she’s brilliant in this. She won a BAFTA for her role. It was so emotive. Her character Delia falls hook, line and sinker for a serial killer. His traits reminded me of a narcissistic bullying ex I had the misfortune of getting together with a few years ago. It was a learning curve to say the least. His controlling coercive manipulative tactics were offset by an irresistible charm and pretend kindness which reeled me in for a while. The injustice of Delia Balmer’s cruel fate incensed me. It’s a true story. Not easy viewing but highly recommended.