End of term walking blow-out

Hooray, finally broke up for easter after the hardest half- term i've ever had. To celebrate and unwind, i decided to go walking both days of the weekend. Even better, Dad came up after 5 months recovring from a moterbike accident, which means its back to normal with him- going on big walks every month.
Saturday was a fun wander- drove over to Errwood Reservoir in the Western Moorlands, stopping outside Buxton to bag Grin Low (my first new hill of 2007). We ploddeed up the Goyt Valley into the hills, quite cold givien that it's now April, but wonderfully sunny. Instead of climbing Burbage Edge as planned, we decided to climb Whetstone Ridge to have dinner on (i like to have my dinner on top of hills- can't stand eating in a valley or on a subsidary top unless its a good one like Bleaklow Stones), passing the source of the River Mersy and seeing little of the usualy great views due to the haze.
Afterwards we headed north along the ridge to Shining Tor, at 559m the highest hill in Cheshire and on of my favourite hills. Had a delightful hour on the summit, climbing on the crags and enjoying the views. Dad had brought along some balti mix which was a wee too hot and moreish- ended up with aching stomachs during the walk along the ridge to Cats Tor. The last part of the walk went alog the ridge to Cats Tor (522m) which was the highest Peakland hill i'd yet not climbed, and a great one at that with stunning views and a great sense of height. Got back to the car to find a few stupid townie boys taking photos of thier crappy cars- how sad-, which gave us a laugh.
On Sunday i dragged my tired legs back out onto the fells, this time up Bleaklow. Due to the cold, i decided to go over the moors to Higher Shelf (621m/ 2037ft), the 3rd of Peakland's 3 mountains. It involved a brilliant walk up the Westend Valley and Raven's Clough, before crossing the remote moors over Westend Low (535m) and heading down into the upland bowl of Grains-in-the-Water. After another half hour's plod over the moor i reached Higher Shelf in 50mph winds that were so strong i got knocked down a few times. Luckily there was some shelter for me to enjoy my lunch high up in heven.
From Higher Shelf i headed over to Bleaklow, stumblng acros a small tarn below Higher Shelf's summit. At 617m/ 2024ft, this is the highest permenant water in England south of Fountains Fell Tarn in the Yorkshire Dales and very magical. As usual, Bleaklow was a delight- remote, wild, high, charming and with stunning views-, confirming it as my all time favourite hill and/or mountain. Whilst i was relaxing on the summit, Jake (my twin) appeared over the ridge, giving me a shock as he was suposed to be over on the Howden Moors 4 miles away. He'd got cold and decided to dash over the fells, which annoyed me as i was enjoying being alone on the mountain.
The walk back was fun as normal, over the moor, stopping at Ronskley Tarn for some food (so nice, sat by the tarn on the heather, munching on some cake, gazing over to Bleaklow, high up and alone- i love the spot) and back down to the road to get the bus home. Now thats what i call a great weekend, though my legs are aching and i smell a bit. Has to be the best 2 days walking all year so far...

photos- top: Cats Tor from Shining Tor
bottom- me on the summit of Cats Tor