We arrived in Matlock early so that I could make the 8:00 start and registered for the Half Skyline Challenge.

Once you have crossed the bridge over the Derwent you are straight away into a steep ascent.

The first stage follows the route of the Limestone Way until you reach Winster. Having done no serious hills since I was in Northumberland I was taking this section very slowly, everyone was welcome to overtake me.

The steep ascent does at least mean you are soon rewarded with great views, like this one looking across the valley to Riber Castle.

Climbing a bit higher and looking in the opposite direction along the Derwent Valley, with Stanton Moor on the left, which you need to cross if you are doing the full route.

The route levels out for a short while.

I'm still taking it steady and so the people ahead of me soon disappear, but I'm not bothered about how long it takes me today.

Just before I enter the trees and start the descent to Bonsall I can look across towards Harboro Rocks and the wind farm on Carsington Pasture.

As I emerge from the trees I can look across the rooftops of Bonsall and see those people ahead of me climbing back out of Bonsall.

I come out opposite the cross in Bonsall's market square.

Just the other side of the square I find the track which will take me uphill once again.

A short steep pull uphill and I'm able to look back across Bonsall to the hill I have only just descended.

After a short walk through Upper Town we are back into fields, but from now on the route will be largely flat.

It might have been flat, but there were plenty of stiles to negotiate. This one wins the award for most awkward stile in the Peak District, even beating the one in Wetton.

At about three miles in I started to feel the top of my foot aching and so it was at this point that I decided to stop at the first checkpoint in Winster. I didn't want to carry on and waste a month of physio.

The runners, who had set off an hour after the walkers, were now starting to catch me up. Where possible I let them go as they were after times and I wasn't even going to finish.

Looking down the Derwent Valley I could make out the moors around Falling Edge, where those doing the full route would be later.

As I started to drop down to Winster I could make out those ahead of me climbing up the other side of the valley to Stanton Moor.

Approaching Luntor Rocks, which is where the Skyline route leaves the Limestone Trail, as the first checkpoint is in Winster.

At Winster I informed the marshal I would be retiring and handed over my wristband before walking down the road to wait for John to come and pick me up.

I might not have finished the Half Skyline but my first goal had been to get to the start line and a month ago that had looked impossible as I couldn't even walk two miles without being in pain. Now to see if I can make enough progress to do the Nine Edges in September.

 

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