Reset search
Across England
  • Cathy Mead

Across England

A 38-day adventure by Cathy Read more
FollowInsightsInsightsCalendarCalendarShareShareBucket list
Newest first
  • Trip start
    May 29, 2018
  • Cathy MeadAcross EnglandCathy Mead

    Flying JAL

    May 30, 2018 in Japan ⋅ 🌧 17 °C

    Wonderful Japanese service and the plane was not full so I had plenty of room. We left late, about half past midnight so I didn’t bother with movies and tried to sleep. Breakfast a couple of hours before landing wasn’t great, perhaps I should have tried the Japanese option. Landing in Tokyo soon then a quick change to a flight to Helsinki.

    Update
    A long walk to the next gate so not much time for looking around, but very efficient and easy to find your way. About to board for Helsinki.    Read more

  • Cathy MeadAcross EnglandCathy Mead
    Alan Turing
    2HIV/AIDS MemorialCraft and Design CentreQueen Victoria

    Manchester

    June 2, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    Manchester is not one of the worlds great cities, but the perfect starting point for the trip. However it is bike friendly and has lots of trams.
    I’m staying just near the station and an easy walk to the centre of town. Plenty of time for all the last minute organising such as getting a UK SIM card and plenty of cash for traveling through small towns that have no ATMs and don’t take cards. I’m expecting that will be an exaggeration but we’ll see. I also found another book about the walk so now I’ve got more than enough to read each night about the next day’s route.
    I’m having a bit of trouble with the local accent, even hearing aids don’t help. I missed most of what the guy in the phone shop was talking about.

    This morning I walked around the city to check out a few interesting sites. First stop was an odd little park opposite the University, Manchester is not much into green spaces. In it was a statue of Alan Turing, an AIDS/HIV memorial and small rainbow mosaics set into the paths. It seemed a sad little park, full of rubbish. Then I walked up through the “gay village”, basically a couple of block with a few seedy looking bars flying rainbow flags, then on through China town, with its typical archway. This is supposedly the largest China town in the UK.
    Then I headed for the Northern Quarter. This is where all the good coffee shops and cafes are. There I found the Manchester Design and Craft Centre. This centre has a whole lot of tiny craft studios with little shop fronts set around a light filled space with a little cafe in the middle, a great spot for lunch. Then back through the middle of town where there is the most awful statue of Queen Victoria I’ve ever seen.

    I gave the Football Museum a miss, but the little People’s Museum was great, full of stories and paraphernalia of causes and struggles, voting rights, chartists, suffragettes, unions and workers rights. In one square I found a statue of Abraham Lincoln, in recognition of the support Manchester workers gave to the cause of abolition of slavery.    Read more

  • Cathy MeadAcross EnglandCathy Mead
    Room with a view

    Gathering in St Bees

    June 3, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Just arrived in St Bees, some are already here and more of the group due later today, we gather for dinner tonight before group 1 sets off tomorrow. We in Group 2 leave on Tuesday.
    I have the best view from my room at Lulu’s, the St Bees railway station, I hope there aren’t too many night trains. It’s a very cute place though, I’m in a little attic room, right next to the breakfast room.

    Meanwhile back at home Harvey goes to the G to see the Pies play,    Read more

  • Cathy MeadAcross EnglandCathy Mead

    Ready to go

    June 4, 2018 in England ⋅ 🌧 18 °C

    All of group 2 are now gathered in St Bees ready to head off in the morning. I’m now with my roommate Francis.

    I had thought that St Bees was just a little town for walkers to stay, but there is an amazing old Priory here. There is a legend about an Irish saint, St Bega, that is supposedly the origin of the name of the town and lots of old history set up beautifully in this church, it’s like a museum but is still the active centre of the Parish. We interrupted a local meeting when we arrived this morning. There is also the story of St Bees Man, a well preserved body in a lead coffin that was found here.
    I walked into Whitehaven, the nearby big town, with Angela and Julie this morning. Last minute supplies from Tesco! Whitehaven has a big harbour    Read more

  • Cathy MeadAcross EnglandCathy Mead
    The start
    Last view of the CoastMeeting the localsThe top of DentLunch stop

    Farewell Irish Sea, on to Ennerdale

    June 5, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    The ritual at the start of the walk is to take a pebble from the beach at St Bees to carry with you to drop the sea at the end.
    Our route took us along the cliff tops around St Bees Head and past the light house, fantastic views across the Irish Sea, we could see the Isle of Man and the coast of Scotland. Then it was time to turn inland, through farms and small villages, then up our big climb for the day, Dent Fell. Apparently you don’t often get such fine days up there so we were lucky and made that our lunch stop. Then a steep route down to a valley and a creek with the great name “Nannycatch”. We followed Nannycatch along for a bit then on down to Ennerdale, our stop for the night. About 25klm, a great start.Read more

  • Cathy MeadAcross EnglandCathy Mead

    Coast to Toast

    June 6, 2018 in England ⋅ ☀️ 10 °C

    We had a Fawlty Towers moment at breakfast this morning, Angela had the temerity to ask for more toast, she really was going to share it with the rest of us but it created some suspicion. We thought the guy was going to get Sybil to come in from the kitchen and tell us there was an allocation of one slice per person. Luckily, where we are staying tonight there is a toaster in the breakfast room, we can have as much as we like. Our guide does a good Basil Fawlty impersonation.

    Well fueled with toast we set off for Stonethwaite. 25 kilometres long but fabulous. The first 7K was along a lake, then gradually up until we got to the head of a valley where there was a cute little YHA hostel. Great spot for lunch. Then we went up and up, over a saddle and down to this valley. Spectacular views from the top.

    Along the way we adopted Betty, from Moruya. She works in the Hospice in Canberra. She was walking on her own.

    I can’t post this tonight we have no phone or internet access, so the dates might get a bit confusing.    Read more

  • Cathy MeadAcross EnglandCathy Mead
    Nice touch on this cairn

    Up hill after breakfast

    June 7, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    And after lunch, but finally a long steep down hill to Grasmere, about 16 K.

    It was a stunning day’s walk, we took the long route of course. We came up out of the valley we were in last night following Stonethwaite Beck, then up to Lining Crag, then Greenup Edge, we stayed on a ridge top and walked up and down along to Helm Crag before going down to Grasmere. The views were just amazing, it was a long hard day because of the climbing and tricky descents but the views were unbelievable. Our book describes today’s walk as a Lakeland classic. Photos can’t really show the amazing views.

    Of course there was unlimited toast this morning so we were in fine form.

    Our colleagues from Group 1 were there to meet us in Grasmere, looking very fresh and relaxed. We’ll have dinner with them tonight, they go on tomorrow while we enjoy a rest day.    Read more

  • Cathy MeadAcross EnglandCathy Mead
    MMWC C2C G2 2018

    I wandered lonely as a cloud.....

    June 8, 2018 in England ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    Wordsworth and all that. Wordsworth’s house, Dove Cottage, and his grave are here in Grasmere. It’s a gorgeous little tourist town, a bit “Cockington Green” like. Lots of galleries, craft shops, cafes and outdoor shops. Very relaxing day, late breakfast, washing, shopping and generally taking it easy.

    I’m not sure about the defibrillator in the old phone box; is it for elderly tourists or exhausted walkers?

    The sheep we have been seeing and hearing are Herdwicks, local indigenous sheep (they’ve been here since the 12th century), that apparently play a big role in maintaining the Lakes District environment. Beatrix Potter was a big fan of “Herdies”, she was President of the Herdwick Sheep Breeders Society when she wasn’t writing about Peter Rabbit.

    The town is also famous for its ginger bread, great stuff. I bought some but I don’t think it will last until I get home and I’m not sure I’d be allowed to bring it in anyway.

    Group photo courtesy of Angela, taken on our way up, (and up) yesterday.    Read more

  • Cathy MeadAcross EnglandCathy Mead
    Grisedale TarnMaking our way downUllswater and a cricket match

    St Sunday Crag

    June 9, 2018 in England ⋅ 🌧 17 °C

    So what if it is Saturday, this Crag was our goal for the day. We set off on a beautiful morning, up to Grisedale Pass then down a bit to Grisedale Tarn, the great little lake in the photo. From there we had a choice of 3 routes, straight down the valley to Patterdale, the very high route which is described as a precarious descent with sheer drops on either side or via St Sunday Crag. It is said that St Sunday Crag has perhaps the best views on the entire route but it started to rain not long after we headed up. It wasn’t cold and there was no wind but the views vanished in the mist. The rain cleared as we headed down, in time for a lunch break looking down towards Ullswater and Patterdale. We could see a cricket match happening in the valley below.
    Although we climb again tomorrow almost as high, St Sunday will be our highest point for the trip at about 800 metres and our distance for the day was about 17kilometres.

    Well done to Fran and Anne from group1, who conquered the high route over Helvellyn and Siding Edge.

    Our accomodation is a bit spread out tonight, 4 of us in Patterdale, the rest a couple of kilometres down the road, we’ll have a quiet dinner for 4 at the White Lion Inn. There is a red telephone box in this village, with an actual phone in it, handy because I have no phone reception here.

    I’ll miss the bleating of Herdwick sheep when we leave the Lakes District, I can hear them outside our window now.    Read more

  • Cathy MeadAcross EnglandCathy Mead
    White Lion Inn in Patterdale
    Beck in PatterdaleWe're very cautious but they're hard to spotJohn takes a group shot from the top

    Ship Shape in Shap

    June 10, 2018 in England ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C

    Our high point today was Kidsty Pike at 784 metres. It was quite a climb, up past Angle Tarn and The Knot. Just after leaving Patterdale we could hear a cuckoo. Again we had a bit of rain on the way up but it cleared for a bit at the top so we didn’t miss out on the views. The midges were biting at the top, they obviously know that’s were they can get a good feed.
    We saw quite a few “fell runners” out today, racing straight down the hills. I was expecting one to do a face plant and roll the rest of the way down, but somehow they managed to stay upright.

    My wet weather gear is quite a site, my coat is unfashionably long, down to my knees, I think it’s about 25 years old or more, and at least one size too big. My pants are made for some about 175cm tall, perhaps that’s the average height of a bush walker, but I’m only 164cm.

    The midges knew about the lunch stop as well, at the bottom of the steep descent. After lunch we walked along beside Haweswater Reservoir and ended up at Brampton Grange. A taxi was arranged to take us into Shap for tonight and to ferry us back to join the route tomorrow. 25 kilometres and a big climb, not a bad effort.

    We’re now leaving the Lake District behind us. I’ll miss the sound of the herdies bleating, we’ve climbed some fabulous hills, and the views were spectacular.    Read more

  • Cathy MeadAcross EnglandCathy Mead
    New friendsShap Abbey

    Over the stiles to Orton

    June 11, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    So we backtracked by taxi shuttle to where we left off yesterday. The taxis route was through very narrow roads with high dry stone walls on either side, luckily we didn’t meet anything big coming the other way.

    The walk then took us through paddocks, along beside a creek, over a very old bridge and over many stiles to Shap Abbey, not looking too shabby seeing as it dates back to 1200. Cattle and sheep in the paddocks now, so we have cow shit on our boots as well. I lost count of the number of stiles we climbed over. They’re not too keen on dogs wandering through the paddocks here.
    We stopped for lunch in Shap before heading off to cross the M6 motorway, luckily there is a pedestrian bridge.

    The geology changes here to limestone country, and while there were still plenty of sheep around it generally was a bit wilder than our morning walk through the paddocks. I’m not sure what the breed of sheep is now. There were some interesting rock formations.

    Finally we dropped down into the village of Orton, the day seemed longer than the expected 19 kilometres, my phone registered 22, so with the late start we were too late to visit the Chocolate Shop, maybe in the morning before we leave.

    For a lot of the day we could look back and see Kidsty Pike off in the distance, we’ve come a long way.    Read more

  • Cathy MeadAcross EnglandCathy Mead
    Chocolate shop
    Locals have right of wayLunch stopGuarding the stileBullDry stone wall

    Encounters

    June 12, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    Our first encounter for the day was the Chocolate Shop. Thanks Allison for the yummy peppermint chocolate she shared with us at our stops.

    Next was a mob of sheep coming down the lane towards us, the lane had high stone walls on either side, we were able to get off the road into a gate way as they came past.

    We crossed Ravenstonedale Moor, and had a lunch break on Smardale Bridge, then up onto Smardale Fell, and then down to Kirkby Stephen. After one of our “green room” stops I left my poles behind and had to do a quick sprint back to retrieve them. The team entertained themselves with wild flower photography while they waited.

    At about the last stile before Kirkby Stephen, there was a cow poking her head through the wall. OK we thought, and John gently urged her away and climbed to the top of the wall to find a large bull in the field, just the other side of the stile. Luckily the bull was much more interested in the cows than in us so we quietly edged around him and headed across the paddock.

    Our B&B host at the Jolly Farmer greeted us with scones, jam and cream and a cup of tea. It’s a great little town with a 13th century church, built on the site of an old Saxon church. It is now the parish church for all denominations. Just inside the church is the Loki Stone, carved by Vikings.

    We’re ready for a big day tomorrow, Julie even has a new pair of boots.    Read more

  • Cathy MeadAcross EnglandCathy Mead
    Nine standards
    Standards up closeLooking down on RavenseatUpper Swale RiverCream teaSeasonal routes sign

    Nine Standards Rigg and a Cream Tea

    June 13, 2018 in England ⋅ 🌧 15 °C

    What are the Nine Standards? A serious of beautifully built cairns of different shapes and sizes lined up along the ridge of the Pennines, the climb up there was our first goal for the day. They are supposed to be old boundary markers, but there could be other theories. It was windy and cold at the top, 661metres, so we didn’t hang around. At this point we crossed into Yorkshire. There are 3 routes through this area depending on the season, we took the red route, which is the designated route for May to July. This is a way of trying to manage the erosion caused by all the walkers.

    Then the next highlight of the day, across the peat bogs! Actually we were lucky, the worst part has had some stones laid across it and it hasn’t been very wet lately. Our trusty guide found the route through for us and we came through with dry feet, although Julie’s new shoes are not as pristine any more. There were a lot of boggy patches all the way down.

    Then it was down to Ravenseat. This seems to be a bit of an institution on the C2C route. Amanda Owen and her husband breed sheep and have 9 or 10 children and sell tea and scones to passing walkers. She has written a couple of books about life as a Yorkshire farmer. Apparently she is quite a character. She wasn’t there today so the tea and scones were served by Mr Owen and the farm helper in their muddy gum boots and dirty jeans. Most of the kids were at school but there were a couple of little girls playing around. Great scones and a strong brew of tea.

    From there it was an easy stroll down to the valley of the Upper Swale River and into Keld. About 20 kilometres for the day.

    We have crossed the Pennines and we are now about half way!!

    Just a bit of information about cream teas. This is basically a Devonshire tea, but of course you can’t call it that in Yorkshire. Apparently Devon is having jam first with cream on top of your scone and Cornwall has cream first with jam on top. Yorkshire just has cream tea.    Read more

  • Cathy MeadAcross EnglandCathy Mead
    All rugged up
    Hills and dalesGunnerside cafeNot the smallest gateSwaledale

    Gales on the Dales

    June 14, 2018 in England ⋅ 🌬 16 °C

    There were 2 options for today’s route, the high road and the low road. The choice was made for us by the weather, very high winds after a storm came through last night. Our guide thought we might be blown off the top if we tried the moors.

    Even on the low route we were blown about by very strong winds. Lots of branches blown down overnight.

    We set off, well rugged up in our wet weather gear, first down to the very small village of Keld to check out the little Heritage Centre, it’s focus is farming heritage, particularly the old stone cow barns that were used for cattle during winter, then up past a waterfall and on to our route which followed the Swale River all day. Swaledale is the northern most and wildest of the Yorkshire Dales.

    We had a break for “elevenses” in the village of Gunnerside. Mary Shaw’s cafe was doing a great service.

    Most of the day we were walking through fields, and to go from field to field we squeezed through gaps in the dry stone walls that mostly had gates on strong springs. I’m sure the gaps were getting smaller as the day went on, and the steps higher and higher. Anyway we all managed to squeeze through despite English breakfasts and cream teas.

    My phone says about 20 kilometres for the day.

    We are now in Reeth, apparently the unofficial capital of Swaledale. It was a centre for lead mining in the past. We would have seen the remnants of the lead mining if we’d taken the high route. The number of pubs in the village is probably due to its mining heritage. Now it thrives on tourism so there’s also a few tea shops. It’s a cute little village with a green common in the centre appropriately called The Green. There’s also a Yorkshire Dales National Park office. Apparently some episodes of All Creatures Great and Small were filmed here.

    I just got an update on the weather over dinner. Some one saw on the news that today was the windiest June day ever in England. The low road was a wise choice.    Read more

  • Cathy MeadAcross EnglandCathy Mead
    Encouraging sign
    Nice gate, where's the fenceChurch snacksRichmondWhy is this road weak?

    Rocketing in to Richmond

    June 15, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    Well, not really, but it wasn’t a long day and not much climbing. 18 kilometres. A few narrow gaps in stone walls, but eventually we came to a gate without a fence. We all dutifully went through the gate.

    There was a bit of a climb up to Marrick on a path known as the Nuns’ Steps. Apparently the nuns from the Marrick Priory constructed 375 steps up the hill. The old priory is now partly in ruins but is the site of an Outdoor Education Centre.

    We had a break in the tiny village of Marske, where there is an old church, St Edmund the Martyr. He was a Saxon king, knocked off by the Danes in 870. At the back of the church was a table of snacks for sale, money for the church maintenance funds.

    Richmond has an old castle on the top of a hill in the middle of town, with cute little houses in narrow streets backing the castle walls. I’m not sure about the roads here though, they seem a bit weak, lucky we’re walking not driving.

    Tonight was a good chance for a change from pub meals. Pasta at a Sicilian restaurant was great.    Read more

  • Cathy MeadAcross EnglandCathy Mead
    Falls on the Swale in Richmond
    The Drummer boyFresco at St AgathasEasby AbbeyMemorial to Henry Jenkins

    There is nothing to do in DW

    June 16, 2018 in England ⋅ 🌙 12 °C

    Although we had 24 kilometres to walk today our guide was sure we didn’t need to leave Richmond until after 10 because “there is nothing to do in Danby Wiske” and the walk was generally flat farm land. There is only a pub and a church.

    Anyway leaving after 10 meant the rain had cleared. Our first stop was the ruin of Easby Abbey and St Agatha’s church. On the way to the Abbey there was a plaque about the sad story of a drummer boy. Read about in the photo. The abbey was one of many knocked over by Henry VIII. St Agatha’s church however is still the local parish church, and has a beautiful fresco dating back to 1250. The church was very welcoming with a jug and supplies laid out for tea at the back of the church.

    We stopped for lunch at St Mary’s church in Bolton-on-Swale. The church dates back to the 14th century. This church was even more welcoming, tea supplies, a note saying feel free to use the toilet, a big box of food supplies for any one in need, the back of the church was like a small community centre.

    The church is famous for its memorial to Henry Jenkins. Henry apparently lived to be 169 years old. Evidence of his age is found in court records because he was able to give evidence about who had owned what in land disputes after the civil war.

    About 4 miles from supposedly boring Danby Wiske we were caught in a thunder storm. A massive downpour, thunder and lightening. So we had plenty to do when we got to Danby Wiske, organising to get all our gear dry.

    The wide plain we are crossing, heading for the North York moors is the vale of Mowbray. Danby Wiske is the lowest point on our route.    Read more

  • Cathy MeadAcross EnglandCathy Mead
    60 miles to go
    The hedge squeezeLooking back to the PenninesHappy Birthday Allison

    Roads to Osmotherly

    June 17, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    Most of today’s walk was on roads, usually quiet, and not quite as exciting as climbing hills. We did have a sprint across the A19 freeway. Lucky it was Sunday or we might have had a long wait for a break in the traffic.

    Thanks to the White Swan Inn, Danby Wiske, for drying our boots and coats last night.

    We walked through some wheat fields, with a few tight squeezes through the hedges between the fields.

    At our “little lunch” stop we could look back to see the Pennines in the distance. Our lunch stop was at the Mount Grace Priory. A Priory dating back to 1398, it was dissolved in 1539, Henry VIII again, the ruin is now a National Trust Property. Nobody wanted to pay £8 entry fee so we picnicked in the field next to the car park and visited the shop (and of course the toilet).

    Then on to Osmotherly, about 17 kilometres for the day, and the beginning of the North York Moors National Park.

    Party night tonight, Allison Towner’s birthday. Thanks to John for carrying the cake in his pack, what else can he fit in there?
    What a great way to spend your birthday, thanks for inviting us Allison.    Read more

  • Cathy MeadAcross EnglandCathy Mead
    North Sea??Across the moorBurial mound

    Chipper in Chopgate

    June 18, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    We’ve seen the North Sea! 3 days to go.

    A fabulous walk on the moors. We did some climbing of course, but the rewards were wonderful views.

    Our first stop was a small chapel on the ridge just above Osmotherly, the Mount Grace Chapel of Our Lady. It dates back to 1300 or so but was a ruin until rebuilt around 1960. It would have been a very tranquil spot to sit and admire the view, but for the sound of the ride-on mower and the whipper snipper.

    Then we rejoined the track and headed up onto the moors and into the wind. Actually the wind was behind us but very strong on top. We saw a couple of ancient burial mounds. On top of one peak we came across half the local primary school having lunch, not minding the wind one bit.

    We dropped down to a small cafe in the forest for lunch. Very nice, sitting at a table with a cup of tea with lunch.

    We’re in the North York Moors National Park, said to be one of the largest expanses of heather, but not flowering yet.

    We left the main path to go down to Chop Gate for the night, 20 kilometres for the day. We’ll go back up to the moors in the morning.

    Tonight we celebrated Julie’s official retirement. We had to express some interest in the soccer, England was playing Tunisia. Late up date, England won.    Read more

  • Cathy MeadAcross EnglandCathy Mead
    Up to Wain Stones
    View from Wain StonesOn top of WainStonesCan you see the grouse?Spooky face

    More Moor

    June 19, 2018 in England ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    And there will will be more moor tomorrow.

    We retraced our steps from Chop Gate back up to the moors, and headed up to the Wain Stones, then down again and up again to Urra Moor. We saw lots of grouse with little chicks as we crossed the moors today. We also passed old boundary markers, one with a hand carved on it and another with a face.
    We came up onto the former Rosedale Ironstone Railway, that used to serve iron mines 150 years ago. It’s now a level gravel track that we followed for about 7 kilometres. The track curves around the High Blakey Moor to the Lion Inn, our destination for the day. It suddenly appeared in front of us then disappeared as the track curved, then we took a little track up through a paddock and there it was again. And a road and cars in the car park, funny to see after a day on the moors

    The Lion Inn is the 4th highest Inn in Britain. It’s about 500 years old, all dark beams and low ceilings. Luckily the plumbing had been upgraded since then and our little attic room had a wonderful bath. No point in a shower, you’d hit your head on the ceiling.
    Only 2 days to go, the excitement is building!    Read more

  • Cathy MeadAcross EnglandCathy Mead
    Great Fryup Dale
    Fat BettyStorm brewingGood adviceFire escapeOrder of the Koala

    Eagerly into Egton Bridge

    June 20, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    We started the day high up on the moors so there was no big climb today. It was windy, cool with a bit of misty rain when we started off.

    Our first encounter was with “Fat Betty”. This is an old cross or way marker that has probably been there for hundreds of years. Other stone markers around here have names too, there’s Ralph and young Ralph. As we walked across Glaisdale Moor we could see the North Sea, and looked down on Great Fryup Dale. Then it was gently down to Glaisdale were we stopped for a break at the Arncliffe Arms. It looked like a storm brewing as we came down but it missed us.
    Then a beautiful walk through forest along the Esk River, such a contrast to being up on the wild moors. But there will be more Moor tomorrow. But more of that later.

    About 20 kilometres for the day.

    Then into Egton Bridge. Apparently the series “Heartbeat” was filmed around here. Who remembers that? I remember the little old police cars driving across the moors.

    A bit late of course, but when I was leaving our room this morning I read the notice on the door about what to do in case of fire. The “secondary exit” route from our room was to open the window and jump. A small window and a long drop, glad there was no fire.

    Tonight was the last night for just us and our guide, John. Tomorrow night we will be joining Group One for dinner. We have followed John up hill and down dale and he has been wonderful. Great, quirky sense of humour, does a very good Basil Fawlty, very knowledgeable about all sorts of amazing things and he looked after us so well. This was his 14th Coast to Coast so navigation was a breeze.

    We gave him the Order of the Koala and inducted him as an honorary member of the MWWC. We prepared a very detailed appraisal of his performance, thanks Julie, which can be published later.    Read more

  • Cathy MeadAcross EnglandCathy Mead
    Little Beck
    Grosmont stationLast moorOn the coastal pathDoneRobin Hood's Bay

    Are we there yet?

    June 21, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    Yes of course we are!!!
    Our last day was just perfect. We were a little daunted by the distance, about 28 kilometres, the longest yet, but it wasn’t so hard. The weather was sunny but cool, perfect for walking and the route varied.

    We started early and headed for Grosmont where the local station is a out of Harry Potter, old fashioned level crossing gates and a beautiful little station. They still run steam trains on the regular route from here to Whitby sometimes. Today the steam train was in for service so we missed it.
    Then it was up to the penultimate Moor. The route up was on a road but incredibly steep, a grade sign on the way up said 33%. Try riding up that Dianne.

    From Sleights Moor we could look down on Whitby. Then it was down to Little Beck and a walk through Little Beck Woods passing the Hermitage, a large hollowed-out rock, then Falling Foss, a little waterfall and coming out to Midge Hall. Midge Hall is an old game keepers cottage beside the Beck that now runs a little tea room. More cream tea anyone. Luckily the midges weren’t biting.

    Then onto Sneaton Low Moor. We had our lunch stop looking down to Whitby, the North Sea getting closer.

    Finally we were onto the cliff top path, for the last 5 kilometres into Robin Hood’s Bay. So we finished as we started, along a cliff top.

    Robin Hood’s Bay is tucked around a headland so we were almost there before we got a glimpse of it. The end in sight!

    The path brought us to the top of this little holiday village, right past our B&B, so had a quick pit stop, met our host, dropped our bags and headed down the steep narrow road to the “beach”. The tide was out so it wasn’t the most attractive beach but we duly performed the ritual of tossing our pebbles into the North Sea. On the way down we had tied a Coast to Coast tea towel to a walking pole. We lowered the flag on the beach, folded it and gave it to Allison our leader.

    The final ritual is a beer at the Bay Hotel and signing their book. The beer? A Wainwright’s of course.

    We had dinner with Group One and swapped stories about the trials and tribulations of walking the Coast to Coast.

    We now have a rest day before heading off tomorrow. Anyone like to go for a walk? Last post tomorrow.    Read more

  • Cathy MeadAcross EnglandCathy Mead
    The beginning
    The endRobin Hoods Bay at lastJulie's friend in WhitbyWhitby AbbeyRobin Hood's Bay

    Cream teas and sore knees

    June 22, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    But there was a lot more to our 300+ kilometre journey. Tomorrow we disperse to visit relatives, return home or continue our travels to Sardinia, Shetlands, Norway .......
    We had a rest day today, many of us took the opportunity of the local bus to Whitby. We’d seen it from up on the moors, now a look up close. Another ruined Abbey. Some of the buildings around the abbey were fine, a youth hostel in one.

    We’ve seen Fells and moors, becks and tarns, sheep, dry stonewalls, more sheep, narrow gates, stiles, muddy bogs, baby grouse and Nine Standards, St Sundays, Kidsty Pike. Three national parks, Lakes District, Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors. We’ve seen ruined abbeys and quaint old local churches, stone way-markers and old barns and country pubs. We’ve squeezed into tiny rooms and little attics up steep steps.
    We’ve met fellow walkers and the locals. There were miracles along the way, a pole found, sun glasses replaced, new boots acquired just when needed.

    The views have been spectacular, the moors and fells wild.

    Our group was just the best, full of fun and good cheer. We coped with blisters, sore knees and feet, tired muscles, a thunder storm, not enough toast, and one day, no breakfast at all. We tried lots of local beers, had fish and chips and steak and ale pies.

    This is the last post, happy travels everyone.

    Group Two, Melbourne Womens Walking Club, C2C, 2018    Read more

    Trip end
    July 5, 2018
  • 2025© FindPenguins
  • Home
  • About us
  • Group Tracking
  • Press
  • Terms
  • Privacy Policy & Cookies
  • Help Center
  • Legal notice