The Story of the Walk (by Colin Taylor):
Saturday 22nd May 2010: Keld to Reeth, 13 miles, 09.30 - 4.30.
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Swaledale |
Stone Swaledale cattle sheds with one in every field |
Seven hours to walk 13 miles - that is a measure of the C2C. There is no such thing as an easy or a short day. All days seem to be designed to be equally vicious. "Vicious" seems to be the word of the week.
Pretty much every C2Cer now realises that you can use the word as a justifiable alternative to Easy, Difficult, Short, Long, Scenic, Boring, Quiet, Busy, Hot, Steep, Flat and any number of other words describing walking.
We took the low level route along the river valley. This adds about 1 1/2 miles to the high level walk but, judging by comments from others was the right route considering the heat.
The route along the river is fairly scenic and there were a few wildlife sightings, although they were 99% rabbits and 1% Oystercatchers.
Picture right: A Swaledale Bridge
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Sunday 23rd May 2010 - Reeth to Richmond: 12 miles, 9.30 - 1.30.
This is actually a short day, although no one had told us this so no apologies are due today. The day was made even shorter by the fact that we were on a mission to get to The Old Brewery to get some clothes washed and dried. We ran out of clean "hot weather" clothes days ago and only had our winter collection still unworn.
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No Cherabim or Seraphim, just Wild Garlic and Flies |
A short day with a particularly vicious hill |
There was a very promising section through shady woods. As we approached, we had visions of lying on a bed of soft moss, shaded by fresh spring leaves, having our tired feet massaged by the nimble fingers of Cherubim and wafted by the cool, lightly scented breeze from the wings of hovering Seraphim. The C2C reality soon brought us back to Earth with a long hard slog up a slippy path with our throats clogged with the stench of wild garlic and the unrelenting attacks of buzzing flies around our heads. Bliss.
Jackie has had some toe blisters for a few days. Until today I had had no trouble at all. Now I have one small blister on the side of my foot. I will see how it develops after sticking a pin in it.
We made a quick journey to the secure car park to drop off some unwanted clothes, mainly long sleeved and black. I bet it snows next week.
Picture right: Mad Dogs and English Hikers. Only sheep have the right idea
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Monday 24th May 2010: Richmond to Brompton on Swale, 5 miles, 11.00 - 3.45.
Originally, we had booked two nights at Richmond but for weeks had been concerned about the 23 mile hike after it. Eventually, we gave up our spare day in order to break up the 23 miler.
Richmond is a very nice town with a few things to occupy a tired walker for a few hours. But we are happy that we did not commit to a full day there. With our very short stroll along the river to Brompton-on-Swale, there was still plenty of time for some shopping, lunch, frequent stops and a circumnavigation of Brompton-on-Swale. So, as I write this, we are sitting outside the Farmer's Arms at 3.45, waiting for some sign of life so that we can check in.
As you might expect, our blisters are fine today and even the sun tan is spreading to both sides.
The Farmers Arms pub is very unremarkable but its location 200 yards from Catterick Bridge does give it an ideal location for a stop-over if you don't want to walk 23 miles in one day.
Picture right: Are we nearly there yet? |
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A local Swaledale version of the Blair C2C Project found on a tree near to Brompton on Swale |
Entertaining ourselfs on the bank of the River Swale waiting for the pub in Catterick Bridge to open |
Tuesday 25th May 2010 - Brompton-on-Swale to Ingleby Cross: 18 miles, 8.30 - 4.00 (including 2 pub stops)
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Local football derby at Danby Wiske |
"I thought you said 'Tea' House?" |
Left Right Left Right..... Wainwright jokes about the never-ending flatness of the Vale of Mowbray. I like it. Yes, it is flat and a long day with not much stunning scenery. But there is a certain satisfaction in getting miles under your boots so quickly.
The day started with rain which was a refreshing change to the recent mini heat-wave. The rest of the day was overcast and much cooler. Perfect weather for a hike. We don't need the long sleeved clothes yet.
We have only seen two of "our crowd" today. The second half of the trek is spreading people out. We hope we see them in Robin Hoods Bay. We miss them.
Picture right: Pansies at Ingleby Cross |
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Continue following Colin and Jackie's Coast to Coast walk...
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