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Blog in the bath:
That's right! I am having a steaming soak and a glass of Sauvignon Blanc. Life of luxury!
Today was soooooooooo long. Left Grassington at 10am and passed through Connistone, Kettlewell, Buckden, Oughtershaw and into Nethergill for 6pm!!
I actually met some folk doing the Dales Way this morning as I left Grassington. Some friends, Elaine and Caroline, and a chap, David. The 4 of us misinterpreted our collection of books and maps and wound up taking a wrong turn. This was soon corrected and David stopped for a "quick change of shirt," which we interpreted as "sod you lot, I'm not getting lost again." No harm done however as Elaine, Caroline and I were soon on our way. These girls looked like pro's they had the book constantly to hand and had done many walks before. I firmly trusted their decision making... Ha ha ha! So we walked up this hill, that no amount of climbing hotel stairs could have prepared me for, looking for a trig point at the top. The trig point turned out to be a neatly stacked cairn (check me out with the ramblers lingo - cairn is a pile of rocks people put in a high place. Trig is something to do with OS maps) either way it didn't really help. We could now see where we needed to be... Yup... Right down there! There was a path at the foot if this mini mountain we'd climbed, on the other side, with a sheer drop to it. I never knew I had a notable issue with heights until today! The best foreseeable way was to walk across to the next mini mountain, which meant climbing over a 6ft dry stone wall. We did this to find a slightly less sheer drop, but not one I was prepared to climb down. Onwards to the next mini mountain, which required a further ascent and some boulder hopping, and finally there was a manageable way down to the bottom. Still not one I was comfortable with but, hey! We made it onto the path which climbed again onto another mini mountain and across a flat plain that enabled us to see an expanse of 12 miles! Took my breath away! There we had lunch (some lovingly made ham and mustard sarnies) and descended into Kettlewell, where half a Thatchers Gold was calling. It was now 2:30 and felt like we'd walked miles. I checked the map to see how far it was to Nethergill... 11 MILES! How was I gonna make it!!! I loved and left my friends, who were stopping at Buckden, and got a stomp on! In 3 and a half hours I marched the remaining 11 miles, passing David briefly.
The day has been so beautiful despite getting lost. I'm 100% happy that I chose to do this! The river, hills (mini mountains) crags, scree's, crevices, trees, little villages... Are so amazing! Even watching a farmer round his sheep off this angular, obstacle laden landscape is like something out of a movie (better than Babe)!
And as for Nethergill Farm! It's fab. I've had Dinner with a lovely couple from Beverly, played the piano (badly), shared a bottle of wine... and for breakfast, home grown bacon and eggs. It doesn't get much better than this!
Long day tomorrow... 19 miles into Dent. I'm now looking like a prune and my wine is warm.
Much love.
<3
- comments
sarah hoops sounds like another fab day!! well done u!! look forward to tomoros instalment!! :) xx
Sean Russell Go on Sarah, we're with ya.
Sarah Barrow Hahaha poor you walking more then you have to! As if 84miles isnt enough! Good luck for tomorrow! Looking forward to tomorrows update!
Sarah Madden You go girl! It sounds amazing, I'm almost jealous Im not doing it too!
Sarah Wright Check out all my Sarah's :-) love y'all xx