Wow - day one! 17 miles from Ilkey, through Addingham, Bolton Abbey, Appletreewick, Burnsall and into Grassington.

I started out a bag of nerves. Not even sure why. I've packed for all eventualities, barely squeezing it in my case. I'd bought a swimming pools worth of water on my back and enough food to feed half of Yorkshire! As it turns out I only consumed half of my supplies.

One of the things that really caught my eye today was how dynamic the river can be. (STOP PRESS: just incase you were thinking this bit might be boring) I have dipped my feet in this river and witnessed children and dogs playing in it, skimmed stones across it's tranquil surface and hop scotched over it's stepping stones. Not so far up stream it's raging out of control, lashing at it's bounding rocks and roaring so loud it could be heard plain as day through the Overtones on my iPod. I had to stand and admire the diversity of such a beast. A gentle reminder not to fall in.

Today also yielded a close encounter of the bull kind. Note to self: Do not freely stand with video camera observing a huge animal, for when it notices you and stares you down like you've insulted it's hair cut, you will have limited time to pack said camera away and skidaddle. All good fun and games though eh?! (Until someone loses a limb.)

What's also good fun is realising that no one is around you, no one can see or hear you. This lead me to singing Delta Dawn out loud as I was bumbling along - remember, no one sounds good with headphones in. And when you get one of those songs on your iPod that makes you want to dance, but you merely manage a foot tap or shoulder twitch because your standing at the front of a crowded First bus at 8:30am... Well the world is your oyster here baby! Embrace solitude, because you can only be embarrassed by yourself.

I've been so impressed by the weather! Even put on some factor 30 before I left the morning. Cheeks are feeling rosy, though at this stage I can't tell if that was the sun or the cider..?

So now I'm slouched in the Devonshire having devoured a mahussive bowl of pasta. Fit to pop! Just enough room to finish my pint then it's back to my quaint lodgings at Bridge End Farm for a good book and a snooze. Got a log day tomorrow.

G'night <3 xx