Day 9 Wark to Elsden

17.34 miles. 474m ascent. What a splendid night we had at Battlesteads. Fantastic food. Wonderful breakfast but we had to leave. Off uphill to Birtle and then over farmland and moorland,through an estate and onwards to Forrest. Shoes got covered in ? Pollen. Nothing remarkable really but pleasant if a little hot. Reached a half way lough- but it was hidden so went further to a remarkable sheep fold with tiny door and filled with huge marked boulders. Apparently an Andy Goldsworthy sculpture. Lunch here. And onwards past an old railway line , upwards by forestry then very tussocky stuff. Saw a very brave row deer. Eventually reached the A68 and crossed this with a down and up (snipe)and down and up and down to a welcome pub at Elsden. Well deserved drinks.Read more