Distance Walked: 18.9km, Actual Time Taken: 5h 30m, Estimated Time Taken: 5h
Ascent: 1042m, Descent: 971, # Times Lost: 0
Beer: 1/2 pint Monty Python Holy Grail (Harmless), 1/2 pint Timothy Taylor Boltmaker (Dull)
No photos today as it kept threatening to rain. It never quite managed it but it did spit a bit from time to time. Just enough to cover everything up in plastic only to have to remove it all again a few minutes later. What is was today was windy with a captial W. Not bad down in the valleys but very strong on the peaks. The route is essentially along the edge of the escarpment of the North York Moors with fantastic views out over the moors on one hand and down into the valleys below. The route alternated between tramping across the moors or walking through forests. I saw several deer today (very cute but I'd still eat venison if I saw it on a menu), as well as the usual grouse and partridge. These are grouse moors after all.
Tonight's stopping point is actually in the town of Great Broughton down in the valley below the escarpment. There is nothing (besides a car park) at Clay Bank Top. On the second to last climb of the day the wind gusts were so strong I decided that if they actually managed to blow me off my feet I'd give up and head down into the valley and just walk to my hotel for the night. Enough of the views and the moors. However, I managed to make it to the top. When I got there I meet two school teachers herding a group of young children (8-ish maybe). None of them had hiking poles and most of the children were wearing gumboots rather that proper hiking boots. I couldn't believe they weren't going to get blown off their feet. However, I didn't hear any screams so I guess they got down the hill safely.
At the top of the last climb I called my hotel to arrange a pick up time. They said "Oh, you only have a mile to go. We'll meet you at the car park in 30 minutes." ! I countered with a hour, which they laughed at but agreed to. I was right. It took me 50 minutes to make it to the meeting point. Then they were 15 minutes late. Still there was a coffee cart at the car park so I had an excellent coffee and a nice chat with the owner and also with two other hikers that stopped by.
For dinner I went to the Jet Miners Inn which had been highly recommended, rather than eating at my hotel, the Wainstones. In hindsight, I should have saved myself the walk and just ate here. The Jet Miners Inn was fine but it just provided standard pub grub. No need to put extra distance on the poor little feet. I had the steak and kidney pie (nobody does it with a proper suet crust pastry these days) and then an apple & berry crumble with custard and ice cream. All Harmless.
Tomorrow is a long day - 22km - but hopefully not so hilly. Sadly the forecast is for rain though.
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