Day 5 - Woodhead Reservoir to Old Moor

Today we don't need a weather forecast. It's been raining all morning and it's not looking likely to stop. After a good night sleep at home we drive over the moors to the Woodhead Reservoir. On the way up we are starting to get phone calls that the road to the Salter's Brook Bridge, today's meeting place has been closed and no vehicles can get through. Even though the road is closed we go through the cones guessing our way in the thick fog. We need to make our start point earlier as there is an overturned lorry further on the road.

At the top of the moor we meet:
Dr Andrew Gibson
Tim Melling
Jaye Rogers
Sarah Wedge
Kelly Sapsford
Tanya Earnshaw with her dog Pebbles, who were personally escorted by the police to ensure she reached the rendezvous on time

We also got a message that, due to the blocked road, the rest of the party will meet us at the Dunford Bridge car park 2 miles down the road. Awaiting for us here or elsewhere on the route were:

Elaine Ruddiman
Ross Frazen with his dog Lola
Ethan Moore
Alison and Ian Mathewman with their dogs Alfie and Sky
Mike Wood with his dog Nell
Geff Carr
Pete, Toby and Lauren Spriggs
Johny Mac and his two sons
Steve Sankey from Barnsley Local Authority who kindly escorted us through the closed section of the TPT which was being resurfaced as we passed
Craig a TPT Volunteer Ranger
Sarah Ford - PROW Officer at Barnsley LA who kindly guided us from Oxprings

This was a brilliant turn out considering the atrocious weather conditions.

We started the walk being violently abused by the wind and rain but at least getting warmer with every step. The first 5 minutes brought first obstacle, which was another wooden sleeper across the gate. The step was too high for the FourX to climb. Improvising on a big scale we "borrowed" some stones from the nearby wall and piled them together to make the sleeper's gradient a bit lower. Then partially with careful manoeuvring and partially with brute force we managed to lift the wheelchair over the obstacle. The wall was quickly reconstructed and we were on our way into the fog.

Although the paths were steep and muddy they did not present a problem for Roy and his FourX. All was going smoothly for the next 15 minutes until another gate with a double wooden sleeper. We investigated our surroundings and found no useful "tools" to help us through. We needed either a ramp or a full lift off. Since there was no phone signal to call our vehicle and our initial party consisted mostly of female members neither of the solutions seemed feasible. We were close to despair when we noticed that Tanya was missing. We spotted her about 200 yards up the road talking to some workers who she'd convinced to help us. The FourX was lifted over the obstacle and we could not be more grateful to the JMS workman. Thanks a lot guys.

Within 30 minutes and with no further obstacles we got to the Dunford Bridge car park to meet the rest of today's crew. Despite the rain all were full of energy and smiling and we briskly set off on a beautiful walk along the old railway where Steve escorted us through the resurfacing works. Within a short time, engrossed in conversation, we had stopped noticing the rain. Without the obstacles on the way we quickly reached Penistone (where Yala had to be put in the car with her blistered paws) and Silkstone - where few of our comrades had to part ways with us. Thanks to Sarah for showing us an alternate route to Silkstone Common.

 

Special mention goes to Elaine who despite her MS walked with us for 12.5 miles without a single complaint. Elaine you are an inspiration, thank you for your amazing effort.

The rest of the way to Old Moor went smooth and all access points we encountered were wheelchair (push chair) friendly. The route was still long and tiring but time saved on not having to take bits of wheelchair off was immense.

Towards the end of the walk Roy got a phone call from Chris Matthews (United Utilities) who had been prevented from joining us by the road closure. Incredibly Chris announced that UU were donating £2.5k to the challenge. I have never seen Roy so speechless. A huge thank you to all our friends at UU.

Our sore feet were helped by alternately using the "facilities bike" which is a legacy kindly left with us by Iain Burton after the 1st day of the challenge. Iain, you have NO IDEA how many lives have been rescued by your wonderful gesture. We are all eternally grateful:):):)

The day saw us finish earlier than any other day and by 7pm, we were driving home for a Rest Day.