I made it !! 22 miles, my longest day and 9 hours of walking later I am happily entrenched at the Lion Inn.   What a day!    This start to the final third of the walk, over The North York Moors  was extraordinary.   It took me climbing  up again and it was stunning.  I might nod off during this , my body is tired out but here goes.

( Read day 12 first, so this makes sense .  Sorry , no Wi-Fi at Danby Wiske) xxxxx I was really looking forward to a few things on the 11 mile walk today .  Firstly, my destination. Osmotherley was described in my guide book as a village not to be missed , and the land lady,  Gill, at Danby Wiske wholeheartedly agreed.  She told me of the excellent icecream shop – local icecream all flavours laid out before you!   Although after speaking to my very wise daughter this morning who said ” ….but Mum , it might be closed”…

This next stage of the walk, crossing The Vale of Mowbray, on route from the Pennines to the North York Moors seems to divide the opionions of walkers more than any other section so far.   Because it is mainly flat , farmland and unavoidably involves a lot of road walking it can seem endless at some points .   A lot of walkers for this reason want to get it over and done with and so cover it all in a massive 23 mile day.  But then the next days walk is 22 miles , !  Back to back…

Today’s 12 and a 1/2 mile walk promised a day of all sun and not a drop of rain .  This worked out to be true,  Richmond on arrival was basking in the sun.    I left The Manse after a good breakfast served by Johnothan , another great host, and spent a bit of time ambling around Reeth.  It’s just so lovely.  I sat on a park bench on the village green for a while familiarising myself with today’s route.  I was walking solo again today,   very  happy to enjoy the quiet of the Dales.

Thanks to a 3am craving for cheese and onion crisps I knew I was on the mend.  I woke up feeling much better and so relieved.   I went down for the Keld Lodge breakfast but decided not to get ahead of myself so only ordered toast.   Very odd in these parts.  The very attentive young waiter hovered at my table looking worried.  He was on last night when I took half an hour to eat a bowl of soup , while every other walker was wanging in the Pie of the Day with fervour.  He finally asked “Sally,…

Woke up , to my dismay, feeling much the same .  I had 11 miles today in front of me and I was struggling to get down the stairs !  I had to get moving early as Packhorse were collecting my bag at 7.30.    I again had to turn down breakfast , sitting with a glass of iced water instead … ( I know it pains me to even say it !!!).    Hilary gave me fruit and a cheese sandwich in case I felt like something later and I got a lift back to my starting point at…