We set off from Clough house car park.

A weathered poster told of the local area – it could do with a clean.

We headed out of the back of the car park and across Cumberland Brook.

Looking along the brook there is a clear view of Shuttlingsloe on the horizon

Undaunted by the drizzle we set off up the hill

the steady rain made it quite a pull along the stream by the trees

and then into the open heading towards the Cumberland Gap but not the one of Lonnie Donegan fame – that’s near Middlesborough – A number one hit when ! was nine!

up to where the little water fall flows

by the side of a Rowan tree

At the top we turned to the right, heading across the moor.

Looking behind us the views were equally good.

The insistent rain had brought out loats of toadstools

The sign reassured us that we were still on the right path

We crossed the main road and took the steps down to the path

across the fields and down to the stream

and along the path

then back by the stream where the heather looked great

until we reached the bridge at ‘Three Shires Head’.

over Panniers Pool

Here I have memories of our kids playing about 25 years ago.

\We took our break here

The view from the bridge is great

in both directions

and to think

it is Staffordshire to the left of the stream

Cheshire to the right

and Derbyshire behind us.

We took the road back

ith another view of Shuttlingsloe directly ahead

then across the moor and through a wooded path back down to the road.

With the end in sight a rainbow greeted us

and signalled the way back towards Clough Farm.

When we finally arrived the weather at last smiled!