The Nab with the church Youth Group! Yes - Hill number 40!!

The weekend before my 40th birthday I was involved in taking the church youth group away for the weekend. We stayed at The Peak Centre in Edale, and as I was involved in planning the programme, managed to fit in a walk to include a hill! The weekend overall was a great success I think, with the young people seeming to enjoy themselves. The centre itself was fantastic, with superb accommodation and amazing resources. We enjoyed indoor rock climbing, archery, a campfire, excellent food from local caterers Jo's Pantry, and, of course, the walk for my 40th hill! The kids were a pleasure to go with, and except for an unfortunate incident with a sprained ankle and a trip to A&E in Sheffield (nothing broken - phew!) there were no problems all weekend.

The walk we did on the Saturday morning was from the centre, across fields to Ollerbrook, then up hill through more fields along Oller Brook to reach 'Open Country' (access land where you can walk were you want, although we didn't tell the kids this!). You then pick up a path on the left leading up to The Nab, where you get fantastic views across the valley to Mam Tor beyond. From there it is a simple matter of following the path down back into Edale.

Edale is a fantastic place if you like the outdoors. The Pennine Way starts here. If you wish you can follow this national trail 268 miles north into Scotland. We didn't. I had, of course, started one of my other hills from here as well, when I climbed up on to the Kinder Plateau with my mum via Ringing Roger.

Walking up to The Nab with the kids seemed a very fitting end to my 40 hills. It was a privilege to take them away and to have felt that we had done something for them. They didn't all find the walk an easy one. Although it was not that far, there were some steep sections. I like to think that they all enjoyed it, although I suspect they preferred the rock climbing and archery!

I'd like to send a huge thank you to all the kids who came on the weekend, for making it a great time of fun and friendship! And, of course, for completing my 40 hills in the nick of time!!!