Top of the world, well the Rochdale anyway.

It was a bit of a comedown following a week of sunshine to wake up to an overcast sky. Still we were off in good time and heading to the summit at Summit.

After Littleborough you certainly get into the hills and I'm afraid todays pictures have an overdose of scenic pics.

 Green Vale Mill was built in 1940 and extended in 1950. It was one of several Mills that were owned by Fothergill Bros in the area. In the distance is one that has now become derelict. The brothers moved here in 1859 and built and bought more mills. Raw cotton was brought from Manchester by the canal until the 1920's. They were the first company to make the khaki drill used for British uniforms. They had a research department from since 1848 and by 1945 they were experimenting with glass and synthetic materials. By 1972 they were weaving carbon fibres too. They were bought by Courtaulds in 1987 but won independence again in 1995. It seems that some of the mills have become redundant, but Green Vale seems to be still in use. One of the others is used for storage of theatrical costumes and props and one seems to be getting vandalised.

We are now approaching the top. Our passage had been assisted by having two boats coming down our way. There were many walkers and cyclists using the towpath so it doesn't feel as remote as it had last time we came this way. Mind you that was in October, many years ago.

Even closer to the last but one lock.

Made it!

Not what you expect to find at the summit lock of the Rochdale Canal, an emu!! What you may expect is a water point, but the one in the book is not working and it looks like it is not planned to fix it any time soon.

Well here we are at the summit pound. It is perhaps the remotest feeling summit, but that of the Huddersfield is higher, even though most of it is underground in the Standedge Tunnel.

Looking back towards the west summit lock.

Looking towards the east summit lock.

We toyed with the idea of carrying on as it was only a little after 1200, but we decided to do a few jobs and savour being here at the top of the canal. Mind you we did drop down the one lock to some visitor moorings. Just above the bow of 'Holderness' can be seen the turnpike toll house that is at the junction of the Calderbrook and Todmorden roads so could service both.

All the way up from Manchester and we haven't seen another of these mile posts placed by the Rochdale Canal Society. It will be interesting to see if they continue down the Yorkshire side of the hill.

Helen has been baking so I'm sure I will have renewed energy for our trip down to Todmorden in the morning.