Steve and Steff's Honeymoon trek

Day 10 : Richmond to Ingleby Cross

Rape, more rape and miles and miles of bloody tarmac.

My legs and feet are killing me today. Steff’s achilles has gone considerably worse having vanished down a rabbit hole. We are just keeping our fingers crossed that I will be able to keep up with her for the last few days.

We have travelled through very flat farming country today. What on Earth is rape seed oil used for? I hope it’s good stuff coz it stinks. Now wouldn’t you have thought that a 20 mile walk on the flat would be easy? No. I think it is because we only use one set of muscles. Tomorrow is half the distance with ups and downs. Can’t wait.
For a bit of colour, we’re now sat on the bed pricking and squeezing blisters. Hah! Who said walking is good for you? Actually, what it is good for is meeting some really lovely people. Our host tonight greeted us with a bottle of bubbly. How nice was that?
Something else about the farms around here — mooove over affable sheep, welcome the cow. The baby cows are cute. They are very curious about us as we walk past.

Everyone is watching a football match tonight. Manchester Rovers versus Chelsea Villa…or something. When does the cricket restart?

A bit more colour. Knickers, socks and tee shirts are all washed and drying on the radiator. This high tech clothing is brilliant. Still can’t believe that Steff is painting her nails again! What is that all about?

Thanks to everyone who left us a comment. It is really nice to know that others are taking an interest and supporting us.

Steff just finished her nails.

— Steve

Day 9 : Reeth to Richmond

Halls, Churches, Bridges and lots and lots of Green.

This section is abundantly endowed with a huge variety of different sights and beautiful scenery. The journey from Reeth to Richmond is dotted with pretty little villages linked by lush green pastures flanked at all times by the meandering river Swale. Even Wainwright enthuses about this section, though he does mention that tomorrow is mud, mud and more mud.
The affable sheep have given way to inquisitive cows who would eat your packed lunch if you let them.
We are currently sat outside a pub in Richmond enjoying a traditional beer (It’s an old charter – we’ll explain later). It feels almost foreign being among people and cars having not seen either for so long. Richmond is a very pretty town in which to sit and watch the world wander past.

— Steff

If you would like more information on walking from Land’s End to John o’Groats, please look at Ruth’s website.
http://www.ruthswalk.co.uk/

— Steve

Day 8 : Keld to Reeth

Carole and I got a funny phone call this evening. It was the last person we were expecting: Steve!
He was standing outside the Cambridge House in Reeth where he and Steff are staying tonight, but he was able to impart information for me to pass on to you dear reader before being driven back inside to curl up with a black sheep.

So, yesterday… halfway along the route, but no message because there was no signal even to make a phone call, in contrast we have a wealth of experiences to relate.

We are now up to seven cattle grids — I may well be broke by the time we finish, but it’ll be more than worth it.
We’ve now entered limestone country in the Yorkshire Dales, it seems that every half an hour the terrain changes to something different, it’s incredible! Anyone who attempts to assert that England is boring really should do the coast to coast walk, there is no way you could possibly say it’s boring.
One thing that has remained the same is the accompanying sheep; although it seems that Yorkshire sheep are less friendly!¹
The rest of the world may not know about it, but today there was an amazing air show put on especially for us: the RAF sent three Tornados chasing each other and a couple of Hawks doing likewise… there couldn’t have been any other reason for the spectacle, could there?
One particular observation in the ever changing terrain was that it’s just like a lunar landscape on the tops, but with more atmosphere.

Now there are a couple people who we must mention: Jean at the Manor House, where we stayed in Kirby Stephen, is “as mad as a bucket of frogs” and Ruth, who is walking even further than us: she’s walking from Lands End to John O’ Groats!

I have to say that although there was no phone signal, the Keld Lodge wins hands down for the nicest food of our journey so far!

Finally, we have to report that we have not yet been inundated by autograph hunters, but we are ready for all eventualities.

— Steve

¹ That should get a comment if anything will.

Day 7 : Kirkby Stephen to Keld

Halfway day.

Unfortunately nothing has come through again, so either Steve’s sent the message to the ‘wrong Geoff’ or he’s not got a signal.

Hope that they didn’t meet any savage sheep!

Day 6 : Orton to Kirkby Stephen

Sheep.

I haven’t mentioned sheep yet. And that’s a shame because they have kept up company right from the start. Previously, the scenery has been much prettier than the sheep, but today has been foggy and wet so thoughts go elsewhere.
Days like today generate Random Riley Ramblings. “Fleece Release Me, Let Me Go” — Engelbert Humperdink, “Baa Baa Baby” — Bay City Rollers. I’ll stop there.
So we are back where we started. Steff’s dodgy ankles are still dodgy. I managed to pick up a blister. After 90 miles walking it isn’t too surprising. Oh and my big toe has gone numb.
I need to work off my sheep fixation. The landscape is still lovely so I should concentrate on other things.
Do click on the comment button below. We would love to see if anyone is reading these ramblings.

— Steve