#RunningInSquares 3rd Jan – 13km, 5⊞, 1⛰️ & 1📍

Snow and ice, a first trig point, and a bump to the head!

Distance: 13km. New squares: 5. New peaks: 1. New trig points: 1.

SD9807 takes in the Saddleworth village of Delph. I almost always take the footpath along the river, rather than the high street. It’s quiet and another nice bit of industrial heritage.

SD9808 includes a little hidden hill in the middle of the village, a little field hopping got me to what I hoped would be close enough to the top of the hill to claim the peak of Delph Hill, but it didn’t register. The flock of sheep thought I was there to feed them so I didn’t venture further. Will have to come back another day when there isn’t livestock in the field.

SD9707 took in another footpath that was new to me. This one links several other routes I often do so is nice to know. The lower end in the valley of Delph was nice, although it petered out as it met Grains Road.

Beautiful view down from Grains Road in SD9708 over the valley. The Tour de Britain often comes up here as an official climb.

SD9608 started off with a road covered in sheet ice, a portent of things to come. It also includes this war memorial and the first trig point of the year, TP1394 Bishop Park. Shortly afterwards on another bit of rod I hit some more ice, legs went up in the air, arse and skull went back to the tarmac. Ouchy. I walked for quite a while after this and cursed myself for coming out without my microspikes. Defo a lesson learned, it might be your doorstep, but take some kit out with you!

The brilliantly named Badger Edge is the high point of this little row of hills in SD9707. Following this I walked down off the hill, cursing myself for planning a route with roads a few days after all that rain and when the temp had dropped below freezing! A sore back following that little tumble, combined with more icy weather forecast might put paid to a longer run out to the edges of the overall square this weekend.