ExtraThe day started with a great exposition from my landlady on the state of the various pubs in the vicinity, then swerving unexpectedly to the fact that she has been repeatedly to the opera in Verona because she loves the way the music makes her feel. Yet she thinks that she can’t sing, and that her taking part in music making is an impossibility. I left encouraging her to join a choir. It was another day walking across the flat plain before the high ground starts again, and so I got Mr Bryson on board early before tedium set in. Various interesting facts today. A drug company in the early part of the 20th century encouraged their employees to bring soil and spore samples back from their holidays. They were searching for new antibiotics. However, one employee’s offering from his Norwegian holiday was turned into the drug most commonly used as an immuno suppressant following transplant surgery. Also some interesting information about calories and nutrition. It’s something I think a lot about, making sure that I am adequately fuelling myself for the rigours of the walk, without going crazy on extra cake! Today has been a strongly carbohydrate based day. I walked through a very impressive equine breeding farm. It was very comforting that the path was separated from the many horses by an electric fence. It meant that they couldn’t be disturbed by me, and I could enjoy their company. Leggy foals were alternating between their curiosity about me and their concern to stay with mum. A friend rang, and chatting to him was a welcome diversion from the pretty tedious road and track walking. He was also party to hearing my alarm as I moved swiftly away from a herd of cows in the next field who got on the move towards me. Crossing the unfenced railway tracks directly afterwards felt a lot safer option. I had earlier watched with alarm as a herd galloped at great speed from one side of a field to the other, and back again. Fortunately it was a group who were fenced off, but it gave a sobering indication of how fast they can move. Another brilliant honesty shop, this time just a fridge at the edge of a farmyard. And the stile next to it was decorated with Halloween themed objects, and wired up to cackle like a witch as it was stood on. I love imagining the fun the kids had setting it up for the unwary walker. Today’s route was mainly crossing a series of fields and following country roads. The section that is described as the most hazardous of the entire walk is crossing the very busy A19. This required flat out running to get across before being mowed down by a giant artic. The coffee shop at Ingleby Cross was a very welcome break after this pretty tedious morning. They serve fantastic cakes, are Coast to Coast themed, and I was made to feel very welcome. Having read an interesting article on the benefits of talking to strangers: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/jul/31/the-assignment-made-me-gulp-could-talking-to-strangers-change-my-life?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other I chatted to two other customers, who, like all the non walkers I’ve spoken to, seem both fascinated and a bit envious of my experience. It makes me wonder what’s holding them back. Park House, where I’m staying tonight, is on the first hill that I’ve seen for two days. It’s a steep ascent into Arncliffe Wood out of Ingleby Cross, and the house is directly on the path. But I would have arrived there about 1, and couldn’t check in till 3.30. So to fill the time I decided to go to Mount Grace Priory, another English Heritage property. Although it is probably only half a mile as the crow flies, the owner of the land has removed the permissions on the permissive paths, as they are breeding pheasant all over the area. I saw hundreds of them as I made my way to the priory, mainly contained behind fence, being fattened up very carefully before they’re flushed out and shot by the guns later in the season. In total the walk was an extra 5 miles round trip. There’s no way I’d have countenanced doing so many additional miles two weeks ago. Now it feels perfectly reasonable, and the hike to the Cleveland Way which was en route, meant I got my first extended vista for a few days. Mount Grace Priory is a lovely site, used by local families as a place to have picnics and relax, as well as by tourists like me reading the information boards. The Manor House built on the priory lands has got interesting exhibitions on its history, but the really fascinating thing for me was the reconstructed monks cell. This priory was for Carthusian monks (not Caucasian as my landlady this morning suggested…). They lived in isolation in their cells, only joining their fellow monks on Sundays and feast days. I had imagined these cells to be similar to prison accommodation, but in fact they were self contained houses with a number of rooms and separate gardens. Still, to be honest, not the life I’d choose, but it gave me a completely different picture than the one I’d imagined. A hike back up the hill to my friendly B and B, deep in the woods. They can’t do evening meals at present as they haven’t got room to distance everyone adequately. So instead they ran me down to the local pub where I met two young couple who are walking too, looking a bit weary. It’s been interesting seeing the different attitudes to Covid protection in my accommodation. Some venues have been utterly relaxed about it, others frantically anxious. With every day of interacting with people my anxiety levels have dropped. And I guess this has also to do with getting nearer to the end of the walk, there is less that will be snatched away from me with every day that I stay well. Stats
Distance covered: 14 miles including the extra trip Total ascent: 1256 feet Calories burned: 1800 Annoying ear worm: Los Lobos - La Bamba Number of splinters in my thumb sustained from a wobbly stile post : 1 Number of nettle stings from overgrown path that turned out to be the incorrect one anyway: about 100 Number of slurry pits that I got far too close to: 1 Hearty post walk meal and local tipple: Black pudding croquets with apple sauce (for the black pudding haters) Fish and chips with mushy peas - first of the trip. Home made rhubarb gin with lemonade at the B and B, followed by a half of Wensleydale brewery Semer Water Video of the day, missing the first couple of miles: https://www.relive.cc/view/v8qVp8oz83O
3 Comments
Carly
4/8/2021 21:06:31
Can't believe you opted for additional steps!
Reply
Jane
5/8/2021 19:20:55
I’ve turned into a walking machine….. ?
Reply
Carly
5/8/2021 23:00:37
Hahaha - you have!! Leave a Reply. |
ArchivesCategories |