DAY TWELVE

DAY TWELVE – CLAY BANK TOP TO GLAISDALE – 18.5 MILES
19 JUNE 2012

It was another bright and sunny day, so once again the shorts were on. After breakfast it had been arranged that one of the hotel staff would drive us back to Clay Bank Top, where we had finished our walk the afternoon before. Neil and Jack went at 8am, and Mick, Sandra and I went at 8.30am. The woman driving us came into the Reception and said to the receptionist, “What time they going?”. “8.30” replied the receptionist. The driver lady just grunted. She didn’t say a word to us all the way back to Clay Bank. When we got out of the car, having thanked her, still with no comment from her, Mick said, “Great conversationalist she were, weren’t she”! She didn’t even return our wave as she drove back down to the hotel. Her “handle” will have to be ‘Mrs Grumpy’. If there was a prize for grumpiness, she would have won it!

Mick and Sandra went on ahead, but as it has been each morning since my little toe exploded, I had to hobble along for the first half hour or so. Gradually, the pain lessened and I was to walk at something close to my normal walking speed.

There was an initial steep climb as we rejoined the Cleveland Way, but it wasn’t long before the views began to open up. As I looked back, I had a great view of yesterday’s walk.

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You can see that the path I was on was good and dry. Thank goodness no mud today!

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Along the way there were many ancient way stones by the side of the path. This one was especially interesting, it is called the Face Stone, for obvious reasons.

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The track carried on for quite a good while before it joined the trackbed of the Victorian mineral railway, which I then followed for the next five miles. It was nice easy walking.

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There were lovely views down into Farndale.

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The path continued to wind its way along the old railway trackbed for the rest of the morning. And then this came into view:

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A pub! The Lion, to be precise. Apparently, the fourth highest pub in England. It was a welcome scene. When I arrived I found Sandra and Mick already tucking into a pub lunch. Perry and Angie were also there. They are fast walkers, so I usually only see them at the end of the day. I had seen them in the car park at Clay Bank Top yesterday evening. After a while Neil and Jack also arrived and joined us. They too had been driven up to Clay Bank by Mrs Grumpy, and had had a similar experience.

After lunch, Mick, Sandra and I headed off together. We had an important person to pay our respects too – Fat Betty.

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Fat Betty is one of many large way stones that mark this part of the moors. There are also some stone crosses, but they were a bit off the route. Wayfarers traditionally left food or drink on her for others, in thankfulness for a safe journey. The tradition continues and we all left a little something from our rucksack food stores.

Anyone for breakfast?

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Another large way stone.

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It’s hard to see here, but in the far distance is the North Sea.

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These moors are famous for the grouse that inhabit the heather. Sadly, they are bred to be shot at. Come August 12th and the guns will be sounding and these lovely birds will probably be among tthe targets. I was lucky enough to see a mother with some chicks.

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Does this sheep care that I still have another three and half miles to go? Not at all!

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The track down Glaisdale Rigg seemed to just go on and on. I thought it would never end. My feet certainly took a pounding.

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At the village shop in Glaisdale I met a guy who was doing the C2C in ten days. He was carrying everything with him and was camping. He had come up onto the moors from Farndale, and he told me that he had another two hours of walking ahead of him to the camp site he was staying in tonight. He made me feel like a fraud. Compared to him, I had it easy!

In the pub later, I met Mick and Sandra, they have decided not to finish the walk tomorrow, but to get the train from Grosmont to Whitby. They did the walk last year, so there was no pressure on them to finish it this time. I had walked with them on and off since Patterdale, so it was sad to say goodbye to them. They very kindly gave me a donation towards the restoration of the church.

So tomorrow is the final day. There are a lot of intersting things to see along the way and it is a fair way to travel. It looks like the sun is going to shine on the final day of my adventure!

7 thoughts on “DAY TWELVE

  1. We have just caught up with your last few days and the spectacular views continue and your adventures are just as interesting as the last. The finish line is in sight and hope that you can take some time out to rest your tired feet and the blister. Not long now hope you have a wonderful last day. See you soon
    Paula, Rebecca and Cameron

  2. You have done well. Well done ‘Southend Shaun’! Will the name stick? Looking forward to seeing you back safely. Angela

  3. It does indeed look as though it is going to be a beautiful day. Enjoy the last day of walking Shaun. Lots of love from all at Carlisle. We have to put up with the Olympic Torch going past just as Evensong is coming to an end. Great Joy! James

  4. I am not one of your parishioners but I have on occasions been to mass in your church.

    I have been following your progress on the coast to coast walk. Beautiful photography and wonderful views!

    Very well done. Congratulations.

  5. When you get back I hope it will still be Fr. Shaun, Parish Priest and not Fr. Shaun, PHOTOGRAPHER. The photos are remarkable. Take good care and see you when you’r back with us, please God.

  6. We have REALLY enjoyed following your adventures via your blog. Fabulous photo’s and witty commentary! What a tremendous achievement to have reached the final leg of your epic journey. Enjoy tomorrows walk and we will all pray for sunshine for you. Looking forward to having you back. Best wishes from us all.

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