Distance: 13.84 miles (inc mile down to Urra)
Elapsed time: 6 1/2 hours
Calories: 1,203
Moody, magnificent & misty. But enough about Simon...really enjoyed the North York Moors on today's leg.
Relatively easy in mileage terms compared with yesterday but it's amazing how the "hardness" of the miles can vary. Plenty of ups and downs on these wild moors as we hug the northern edge of South Wood Moor, after a long gradual climb through Arncliffe Wood, leaving yesterday's flatlands behind and below us.
The landscape exudes a haunting beauty...grouse gurgle from the tight heather; a cuckoo sings from nearby woods; the mist rolls in to accentuate the atmospheric beauty.
We miss the murky top of Kirby Bank but are rewarded by distant views of Hasty Bank as visibility returns as quickly as we had lost it.
A group of young schoolchildren pass by us at a peaceful spot between Hasty Bank and Clay Bank Top, their teacher demanding a joke or song from each before they can pass through the stile.
Then we're dropping south off the Cleveland and C2C paths towards Urra, our overnight resting place.
A timeless and remote hamlet, we're soon settling in to MaltKiln House and embracing the warm hospitality and extensive knowledge of Jerry & Wendy, enchanting guardians of the 500 year old property for the last 45 years.
Pre-dinner sherry, great 3 course dinner and some wine set us up for the final 2 days of our C2C adventure.
Eh up from West Yorkshire - Delighted you loved the Moors as much as I do. Hope the blisters, knees and bottom are still holding up and tell Jill to stop when you reach the vertical white stuff with seabirds clinging on the sides. Enjoy your victory fish n chips tomorrow. Many hugs & kisses Liz
ReplyDeleteGlad to see you still have the energy to wax lyrical! Only one more day to go - will you three be finishing the C2C with regret?! A lavish feast awaits you on Sunday (I'm committed now!)
ReplyDeleteFiona
Hi guys. Great to see you motoring on. Great stuff and Andy you are a natural writer, inspired words and so original hee hee, its like i am walking right alongside you, which of course I am, in spirit. Can we get a pic of some geniune blisters! Hope we meet up soon to get the full story. Thought for the day: keep on walking Forest. Ttfn.
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