AdminA rest day in Richmond today. When I planned the trip last autumn, I thought that I’d be struggling to keep up with the walking, and therefore would be very keen to stop for a day after Day 10. In fact, I’d be happy to still be on the path today, I’m conscious of the friends I’ve made who are all continuing to Danby Wiske or even further, whilst I’m waiting here. But, as a good friend (you know who you are) often says to my great annoyance, ‘it is what it is’. So instead I made the most of what Richmond offers, which is plenty. I walked around the old town, down to the Foss (‘force’ or waterfall for southerners) on the Swale, where a man who was old enough to know better was swimming in the icy water, patiently observed by his partner. I watched with admiration, knowing how good cold water swimming is for mental and physical health. Then I realised that he was mainly trying to get a good selfie in the water with the Foss behind him, and I felt more admiration for the stoic nature of his partner instead. Then a three or four mile stroll down to Easby Abbey and back to look at some more ruins from the Premonstratensians (who ran Shap Abbey too). They were eventually known as the White Canons instead, is it any wonder. Although there has been much less walking today, I felt it was important to keep my strength up. So following on from a powerful start of a pancake and bacon breakfast, for lunch I played a strong move of a giant Yorkshire pudding filled with mash, vegetables and chicken, covered in a bucket of gravy. I’ll be closing with a meal at an Italian tonight - bring on the pasta!! A brief foray to a chemist. Thanks to everyone who has asked about my blisters. They are hugely improved, and the extra super expensive socks means that no new ones have emerged. But instead I am developing a sore on my back from the rucksack. Compared to those who are carrying all their kit, my bag is not hugely heavy - maybe 5 or 6 kilos, and it’s a very well made and comfortable one that fits well (Osprey Tempest 20 if you’re interested!). But clearly the repeated friction on my back is causing trouble. Travelling solo, this is awkward, as it’s in a place that is very hard to see. Yesterday I tried a system of mirrors, a torch and my phone camera to inspect it, to no avail. So this morning I decided that this trip is all about new experiences, and something I’ve never done before is to ask the landlady of a B and B to look at a lesion on my back. Fortuitously, she then told me she was a nurse, which presumably meant that she had possibly seen worse. Or maybe not. Anyway, treatment was advised, she suggested chiropodist’s felt. I am unsure about what that will do to already sore skin, so have also invested in a couple of packs of giant plasters. Hopefully it will stop it developing still further. Apologies to all who feel a bit queasy now. And finally a trip around Richmond Castle, now owned by English Heritage. Busy with children loving the ruins and parents glowing with enjoyment at their offspring’s happiness, it is an evocative piece of history that is still being explored. It was great to see the recent evidence of community archaeological work. And the exhibition had a brilliant timeline showing the lords of Richmond from William the Conqueror’s time. He awarded the first Honour of Richmond to his cousin, Alan Rufus. Rufus ended up with an income of £1200 a year from his landowning, the equivalent of £81 billion. He was the richest man in UK history. The rest of the afternoon was spent resting, and doing admin.
Every afternoon, when I finish the day’s walking, I have a routine of jobs that need to be done in preparation for the next day. My rucksack needs emptying of any rubbish, wet stuff hung up and then eventually repacked. The hydration system has to be emptied, cleaned and refilled with the appropriate amount of water based on the weather forecast for the next day, and slotted back into the rucksack. The GPS has to be recharged, its compass recalibrated and the new map for tomorrow opened and checked. Then I charge the portable power pack that I carry with me in the rucksack so my phone never goes dead. I read and reread both the Cicerone guide and the appropriate section of the Wainwright book. And I write up this blog. Writing about writing a blog on a blog feels a bit meta, but it has been a very interesting process of the journey. It was originally just going to be for my close family, so that they could keep up with what I was doing. But then when people asked to sponsor me, and so I set up the donations system for Mind, I then felt a bit of responsibility to let people know how I was getting on, and to give them a taste of the experience. It has also ended up being a very good way of me processing the day when I don’t have anyone to talk to about it. Sometimes I feel like I’m just writing to myself, but then I get the lovely comments on this page (keep them coming!) and that is very encouraging. Talking of donations, I discovered that my Just Giving page, that I’d set up for the big walk last year, closed yesterday because it had a time limit on it. I’m delighted that it had raised £750 by the end of July, but I’d love to get to at least £1000 for Buckinghamshire Mind. So I set up a new page. If you’ve been enjoying the blog, please can I ask you to pop a few quid over? The page is: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jane-smith109 Stats Distance covered - a much more relaxed 8 miles over the day Annoying ear worm even without the regular walking: The Power of Love - Celine Dion (not even the moderately good Frankie goes to Hollywood one!) Hearty meal without previous walk: caprese salad, penne arrabiata and a Sauvignon blanc. I limited myself to only one portion of each…
2 Comments
David
1/8/2021 20:51:54
The Yorkshire pudding looks spectacular! Any sign of Yorkshire curd tart to follow?
Reply
Carly
2/8/2021 17:42:09
Frankly disappointed you didn't go for a similar Foss selfie.
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