Coast to Coast Continued

The last nine days have been a very different type of holiday.  We get up and have breakfast than hike for several hours to meet our next destination.  By the time we shower and clean clothes etc we are ready to hit the bar for a drink before dinner and then we are ready for bed.  I do not quite know what to call this whether it is a vacation or an endurance test but I do know that it is a trip like something I have never done before.  I have been pushed beyond my limits and to my surprise have met the challenge and for that I feel so good. This is by far the hardest physical hike I have ever done and at times I have cursed silently under my breath and perhaps sometimes not so silently to Eric I have done it and to that end I feel a great reward.  From the positive my next pedicure should be 30%cheaper.

After spending six days in the beautiful but very hilly Lake District we headed out to Westmorland and on to Yorkshire which was charactererized by  by sheep populated, rolling green hills nested by streams all divided by old stone walls.  The setting for All Creatures Great and Small one could just picture the old time vet. Crossing the dales was delightful as the English weather Gods shone down on us and we got to enjoy the scenery in the warm sunlight stopping along the way at old churches and Abbeys.  The last two days we have once again spent climbing, this time amongst the moors.  We spent a bit of a roller coaster time in the Cleveland Hills climbing up to the top of ridges where the views were fantastic.  We would then walk along the top of the ridge and then do a very steep descent before going up the next ridge.  I have decided I like up better than down and I never thought I would say that!

Tonight we are staying at the Lion Inn at Blakey which is England's third highest pub.  I am sure the views would be wonderful except it is so missy that we can not see past the inn. Maybe in the morning.  Two more days to go to complete this journey. Look forward to it .

The hills and valleys were beautiful but tough

The Lake District was beautiful but to me I believe it should have been called the hill district and I must say it was somewhat of a relief to head to Westmorland

The climb up the hills makes the view back all that much better

The scenery is lush and green probably due to all the rain. We have not seen any irrigation systems.

These are referred to as Oreo cows though I did give this one a bit of a wide berth as he did not look too pleased that we were in his space.

This by English legend is Robin Hoods grave and who are we to argue

Often there were no gates and one had to climb over the walls.

Old churches were always a welcome diversion

We walked through miles of farmers fields sharing the fields with sheep, cows, horses and even Bulls.  One alway had to be sure to close all gates.

The trail was often muddy and slippery

Beautiful little villages along the way

An old limestone factory along the way

Though still hilly the climbs became more gentle and footing a lot easier most of the time

Visits with the animals always brightened my step

The old bridges have been there for hundreds of years and still stand proudly

Some of the gateways were so narrow I really wonder how some people get through.

The stone fences and old buildings just speak of generations gone by

Some kind soul put this boardwalk over the bog for which we were most greatful as we crossed a large bog a couple of days ago and it was not an easy task

The contrast of all the different types of cattle on the brilliant green grass made for an impressive sight.  

From the picture this does not look bad but the rocks were spaced just a little further apart than my short legs would reach and the river was going quite quickly.  Definitely not my favorite part of the day.

Eric enjoying a foot spa in the river

The legend of the Drummer Boy. We learned that the Brits are very big on legend.

The ruins of this Abbey were stunning.  It was built in the 1150s and much is still standing. It was a beautiful sunny day and was wonderful to spend some time wandering about.

Sharing the fields

The churches were centuries old and the graveyards though still used today had an almost haunted look to them with stones at every angle

From fields of sheep and cows in Yorkshire we headed into a more agricultural area of the Swaledale Plains

Heading up the Cleveland hills

Lunch break

Peaceful walk through the forest

Climbing up one of the plentiful hills

One can see the North Sea in the distance.  Our destination is within sight!

Staring our walk on a very misty morning

Mist and night rain make for a very wet and slippery path

Looking back at the hills we had climbed over

The descent at Hasty Banks before the mist rolled in

A unique way to keep dry and warm while eating lunch on a misty windy day on the top of a ridge.  Six people under cover makes for a cozy little restaurant.

Climbing up to Carr Ridge 

Following the old railway tracks on Carr Ridge where heather is abundant and grouse are raised.  We ran into a large scale grouse hunt which was quite interesting.