Tuesday 17th May: 209 miles and 30,012ft of ascents

Steel Rigg to Bellingham

Today started with Molly and I having to walk 0.5 mile to Rapishaw Gap, to get back to Hadrians Wall, this was followed by a gentle undulating track across squelchy, boggy moorland and forest for several hours...it was comparativley relaxing, very few still climbs, and as usual very quiet with out any sign of human life..where are all the PW walkers??

The forests were dense and dark,with the paths needing careful steps to ensure dry feet.The open land was just as difficult and just as wet!

Having left at 9.30am, we eventually found this smallish waterfall at about midday. A clear fall of about 20ft in a most picturesque setting, especially as it was unexpected.This was followed by an area of farmland, with complete contrasts of farms from the run down , tumble down rubbish dumps that I have seen to many of sadly. These were immaculate and looked very well maintained.

We continued on and enjoyed our lunch by Undershaw Burn, with only the simple sound of a babbling brook to keep us company. Then on across more loy lying farmland, including the unfortunately named " s***tington Hall", before a final 2 mile gentle descent, on poorly defined paths to Bellingham (pronounced Bellingjam) and an excellent campsite.

As we aapproached our destination, the sun came out at last, first time in 5 or 6 days.

Only two days left, another 13 miles completed and 1,356 ft of ascent