Comb Reservoir and Eccles Pike
I can be quite a solitary type when I travel, enjoying time to myself with no expectations from others but throughout lockdown I had joined a few active Facebook groups and through it arranged to meet someone on my trip for a wild swim. It was decided that Comb was going to be the venue and trusting my seasoned swimmer connection we parked up and headed to the side of the water.
Combs Reservoir is a beautiful place - a body of water sitting at the base of the peaks, just out of Chapel-en-le-Frith. There are various walks you can do around the reservoir and Combs too but for today I was happy with an elongated dip and we returned to the car park just as a menacing grey cloud filled the sky.
I tentatively starting submerging myself from the side, having been advised of a path into the water. Mo nay showed off splashing in and duly heading off for an exuberant swim that only labradors know how and taking inspiration I followed suit. It wasn’t as cold as I was imagining and we dd a few laps around a quarter of the reservoir and then enjoyed some cake and coffee from flasks.
Having waved bye to my swimming guide and sitting on the side step of the van I contemplated my next move. Having been recommended Eccles Pike I steadily led the van up to it and reversed into a space where I enjoyed a very cosy hour making coffee and looking out at the hail and rain. Once the wet had subsided and the blue returned to the sky I ventured up to the Pike leaving a very settled Monty snuggled into the heated blanket.
The view at Eccles Pike is so worth the effort getting out the car and up a little - a real little unsung gem! This 370 metre high above sea level hill offers views over the High Peak (including Kinder Scout Ridge) and Manchester and is constructed mainly of gritstone.
A welcome moment of pause before heading to my next destination!
