Coast to Coast, over 200 miles - DONE!!

We woke to the persistent pattering of rain on the tent with a sense of relief that, despite sore and achy feet, we had completed the walk a day early.
Amazingly, from waking at just after 7am, we arrived home in Shipley in 4hrs later, thanks to great bus and train connections.
So what happened to the pebbles we picked up at St Bees and carefully carried with us all across the country? Well I couldn't bear to part with them and so have created a Coast to Coast pebble cairn as a reminder of our achievement!
Thank you to all who have been following the blog, thinking about us, praying for us and have sponsored us - we really do appreciate you all - Nick n Sue
(if you haven't sponsored us and would like to you can by going to our justgiving page - thank you x)

A big thank you to all the people, from near and far (Oldham - Australia and in between) we met along the way it has been great to meet you all and spend part of our Coast to Coast journey with you. What a truly memorable achievement!

Day 13 - Grosmont to Robin Hoods Bay - done!!!

Another (unexpected/unpredicted) beautiful morning. A series of very steep climbs on the roads out of Grosmont-we feel a lot fitter now, thankfully! Over the moor and Whitby Abbey came into view, then thro pretty woods with a welcome t stop at Falling Foss. More moor walking to Low and High Hawsker where we had a lunch and refreshment stop knowing there were only 3 miles to go! Finally we reached our destination of RHB after what seemed like miles of cliff top walking.

We wet our boots in the North Sea as Wainwright tradition exhorts and celebrated with other Coast to Coasters in the Bay Hotel, somewhat pleased with all we had achieved and a day earlier than planned! But that meant no luxury B&B but a steep trudge up and out of the village to our campsite for the night.

Day 12 - Blakey Ridge to Grosmont, done!

We woke to sunshine n wind-well we were on top of the moors! (once again, not what was forecast). Packed up and enjoyed a massive breakfast at The Lion Inn which kept us going all day!
A mixed day of road, moor and track walking with rain late morning/early afternoon but the sunshine broke through and dried us out. Camp set up at a nearby farm and a sunny evening spent in Grosmont recounting tales of the walk so far with fellow Coast to Coasters.

Day 11 - Ingleby Cross to Blakey Ridge, 21 miles Done!!

Big day today, some 21 miles to cover, so an early start. We were up before 6 and set off walking just before 7.30. It was a day of many highs and lows, literally, as we crossed the North Yorks Moors!! 5 Steep ascents and descents in the first 12 miles was a challenge but a pleasant change from the level trudge of yesterday. Being high up, we were rewarded with exhilarating views of the ground we had covered on previous days and the beautiful patchwork of fields and villages that are 'forever England' - we also got our first glimpse of the North Sea towards Teeside, and a sense of our ultimate destination of RHB. Here are some of the high points... Early lunch stop ... A well deserved bacon butty   The long trudge on the dismantled railway (at least 7 miles!!! was a low point - photo to follow) Our resting Place for the night...The Lion Inn

Day 10 - St Giles Farm to Ingleby Cross, 19 miles, DONE!!

Beautiful day! Sunshine all day, no wind, high wispy clouds with scattered small cotton wool clouds (Clarke's technical weather terminology), no threat of rain all day.

As we knew the weather was good we killed some long, feet pounding, flat miles today mainly on road or track. Nick resorted to music to motivate, I chose medication to numb the pain of sore heels and a knotty, painful calf - thank heavens for ibuprofen and walking poles!!

Photo 1-breakfast in the sun with a wonderful cup of tea from the farmer.
Photo 2-lunch in Danby Wiske-breaking the rules with a lunchtime drink!

If we keep this up we'll finish a day earlier than we intended!

The day ended with a mad dash across the busy A19 - a full 6 lanes!! Thankfully we managed unscathed to walk another day.

Day 9 Reeth to St Giles Farm, 18 miles, Done!

Weather has been good to us today, despite the early threat of a downpour, thankfully it was only a shower and no more waterproofs needed for the rest if the day. Sun shining but still windy-good walking conditions-would be nice to think it might last, but were not confident!

Camping tonight in farmers garden. We received a wonderful greeting, cup of tea and shower with towels provided, marvellous!!)

A quick rest in Marske

Day 8 - Keld to Reeth Done!

Thankfully we woke to beautiful clear skies and sunshine and a more relaxed start to the morning with coffee and bacon baguettes prepared for us. Mmmm nice, thank you Heather!
Swaledale is very pretty and much enjoyable walking. (photo 1) A different tale as we got to the tops with a barren, desolate moonscape type terrain, cold and battered by an easterly wind. The afternoon saw the return of the rain with vengeance and we dripped into Reeth a sorry sight!
A cheerful campsite owner greeted the 2 drips on his doorstep with the good news that we had been upgraded to the lluxury of a static caravan. (see 2nd photo) We were even chauffeur driven to it! What a welcome treat as the rain persistently persisted well into the night! Nevertheless day 8 done RHB is getting ever closer!