The mercury was hovering around zero as we assembled in the car park of the Fox and Hounds, but the fresh easterly wind made it feel a lot colder. We set of up the track to Nodden Gate at a brisk pace, but soon slowed as the surface underfoot became progressively icier. Taking the track north, it wasn’t long before we were ascending Great Nodden. There was a sprinkling of snow on the ground, but not enough to impede our progress. A brief stop at the top to take in the views and take the obligatory “team photo” beside the cairn, before continuing our journey. As we reached Coombe Down, the suggestion of heading up to Gren and Great Links Tors was rejected, so we continued to “the points”, and found a spot out of the wind for a brew. Suitably refreshed, we headed on to Lake Down, before descending to the viaduct. Along the Granite Way (which was thankfully free of ice) , and back up Station Road to the pub for a well-earned lunch.
Phil