Distance: 13 miles
Ascent: 1,950 feet
Time: 6 hours 30
Weather: Bright sunshine with occasional cloud. Warmer and less windy.
Conditions: Good paths, forest tracks, and watery / muddy sections. Much reduced lying snow.
[photo: School House, Reeth]
The walk today was excellent, and the weather was much improved. The cold easterly rested for much of the day allowing the warmth of the sun to come through.
[photos: The Green, Reeth]
Yesterday beat me up a little bit. In fact I think it must have been a hard day because both Rob and Walking Dave were pretty subdued last evening. Then, my knees and calves were stiff and aching, but other than being tired I felt OK in myself.
By this morning that had switched around. Thanks to a good rest and Carol's herbal potions my legs were feeling much better. Worryingly though I felt like I was running on empty. This is the first time I have felt real fatigue since I started.
[photo: Apedale (?) from Reeth]
For the half an hour or so before getting out of bed I was concerned about whether I could get through the next six days and it took me a while to sort out my attitude. I had to coach myself back into a one-step-at-a-time way of thinking. Don't think about getting to the end, just the next step you have to take.
The good news is, after my usual morning routine of Berocca ("you but on a good day") and cooked breakfast I felt much better. I went on to power through the day with no trouble. It just goes to disprove the straight-line logic that if you're feeling bad now, doing more of the same is just going to make you feel worse. The human body (and mind) has a great way of repairing itself.
[photo: Marrick Priory]
Our route took us down past The Green in Reeth and then along a straightforward low level route past Marrick Priory before climbing up to Marrick itself. This was longest ascent in a day that was supposed to have limited climbing, although we once again registered around the 2,000 feet mark.
[photo: Climb towards Marrick]
A very pleasant route then took us through fields and across moorland high above the widening valley below. It was during this sunlit trek that Rob (aka Top Gun) had his encounter with a long-horned cow. The following pictures tell the story.
[photo: Top Gun]
[photo: The Cow]
[photo: Walking Dave, "go on Rob, slap the cow"]
[photo: Shall I?]
[photo: Into the arena]
[photos: Top Gun and The Cow]
[photo: Time to leave]
[photo: The Swale near Marske]
After wandering through the very pleasant Marrick Park a short road section led us into Marske. We had covered more than half the planned route for the day so had earned our cafe lunch.
With perfect timing (or planning?) Jo arrived by taxi to meet us on our walk into Marske. It was great to see her - it's been a very long time. She had wanted to join me in the Lakes but the terrible weather last weekend had made that impossible. She was determined to do part of the walk with me and I'm really made up it was today.
[photo: Jo & Ian at the"slow cafe", Marske]
[photo: The Swale near Marske]
After Marske the track ran across fields soaked by melting now, over Paddy's Bridge and ultimately up to Applegarth Scar. Tracking the cliffs we passed across open fields and then through Whitcliffe Wood, before emerging above Richmond.
[photo: Swaledale west of Richmond]
The views across to the town were tremendous. It's great to be able to see your objective in this way. We marched down the hill into Richmond like a conquering army from the west. It was a fine feeling.
[photos: Richmond]
I had a cracking day. The route was varied and interesting throughout, with some challenging sections. The weather was by a distance the best of my coast to coast yet. And, I was able to share it with good friends.
[photo: One man and his dog]
No comments:
Post a Comment