Mission accomplished.

We and our fellow campers were in good spirits in the garden of Intake Farm as we awoke to the final leg of our trip. Only 12 miles stood between us and the North Sea.

We packed up our kit for the last time and with a banana for breakfast headed down the hill to Littlebeck. The walk through Littlebeck wood was described in the guide book as the finest woodland walk in Yorkshire. The guide book was correct, especially on a morning like this. The sun was once again bright in the cloudless sky but in the shady valley next to May Beck it was crisp and cool. In places the sun made it past the broad leaves of the canopy in gleaming shafts of light, highlighting the path and glinting off the beck below, their warmth could be felt as we passed through each beam. The path climbed gently upward reaching a hollowed out rock known as the Hermitage and continuing beyond to the jewel in May Beck's crown: a high, fast flowing waterfall called Falling Foss.

As we reached the open, sun filled clearing where our trail met the farm track to the moor, we sat down with the sun on our backs to eat our breakfast of the sandwiches bought the previous day.

The farm track gave way to moor, which was crossed by a busy road and followed by yet more moor, which despite the dry months still provided boggy obstacles to our goal. Successfully traversed we headed for a tea shop where we met with our previous nights companions for tea cakes and drinks.

The path from here on in was the home straight. No more obstacles in our way, no difficult navigation, no bog threatening to preserve us in it's peaty depths, no skinny stiles to squeeze through with wide heavy rucksacks, just the cliff top path to Robin Hoods Bay.

The heat of the midday sun was tempered by the north sea breeze keeping us cool as we walked the undulating path. Looking out over to the east, it was difficult to tell where the sea ended and the cloudless sky began with only a single shade of blue distinguishing between the two. But looking to the south, we could see the finish to our walk and as we rounded Ness Point, Robin Hood's Bay was in sight for the first time in all it's glory.

As we entered the civilisation of the town we found ourselves surrounded by holidaymakers and daytrippers making the most of the glorious bank holiday weather.

Not to make the final stretch too easy, there was a 30% decline to arrive at the beach. Over the previous 10 days, descents had become harder work on the legs than climbing, with pack on back and blisters on feet.

As we approached the beach, once again we were welcomed by a familiar black shape... Merlin, with Rachel holding the lead. Merlin had refused to walk the final 20 miles from Glaisdale, so Rachel had taxied over with him to wait for Jason and the others to finish.

Rachel kindly took our photo as I removed my boots for the last time on this walk and paddled into the salty water of the North Sea, 190miles and 11 days since dipping our boots in the Irish Sea at St Bees. The final rituals were to throw the pebble picked up from St Bees into the rising tide at Robin Hood's Bay and celebrate with a pint in Wainwright's Bar at the Bay Hotel.

In the words of the man himself: well, that's it!!

Mum (Rosemary) And well done, seems an understatement! You will have had a good nights sleep in your own bed by now. Off to work for me, but I guess you will be cutting the grass today? :) X

May 3, 2011

And Dad Well that's it, so it is. It all sounded a bit of a breeze to me. Home now, then, and much needed TLC for the feet and legs. Hope you appreciated the largesse that was left on your doorstep by the mother. See you both soon - and well done!!!!!! Dad PS Arnold is looking forward to seeing you - he's getting fed up with us! Se

May 3, 2011

Richard Great blog, really enjoyed reading. I start my C2C this weekend and like you carrying my house with me... Nice one, thanks

Sep 5, 2013