Aftermath

Super walk, great time

I hobbled into Kirk Yetholm just after 5 today

I hobbled into Kirk Yetholm just after 5 today. It's been a fantastic walk and I was so pleased to be able to complete it. I've had this ambition to walk the Pennine way since I heard about it in the 60s so it's been a long wait - but brilliant to get here at last!

Mobile post from the Esendex BlogIt service

Off on the last stage - beautiful morning again, the

Off on the last stage - beautiful morning again, the Cheviots almost look pretty.

Mobile post from the Esendex BlogIt service

Just dropping down to my b&b at Uswayford

Just dropping down to my b&b at Uswayford. Looking forward to tea and food! Last day tomorrow!

Mobile post from the Esendex BlogIt service

Ah the joys of a summer morning in the Cheviots

Ah the joys of a summer morning in the Cheviots - the song of the skylark, the rattle of machine guns and the boom of heavy artillery on the Otterburn firing range!

Mobile post from the Esendex BlogIt service

Just climbed out of the forest onto the Cheviot ridge

Just climbed out of the forest onto the Cheviot ridge. Destination today is Uswayford, about half way to Kirk Yetholm. I thought I might be able to do the whole lot in one go, but niggling shins made me be sensible!

Mobile post from the Esendex BlogIt service

Arrived at last in Byrness

Arrived at last in Byrness. A long trudge - good views across the hills in the first part but Kielder forest was not v interesting. Sore shins slowing me down a bit, but only 2 days and 28 miles to go!

Mobile post from the Esendex BlogIt service

Another fine day - about 15 miles to Byrness thru

Another fine day - about 15 miles to Byrness thru Kielder forest.

Mobile post from the Esendex BlogIt service

Just toddled into Bellingham (pro Bellinjam evidently)

Just toddled into Bellingham (pro Bellinjam evidently). I'm currently wrapping myself around several cups of tea. Exploring the nightlife will come later.

Mobile post from the Esendex BlogIt service

15 mile stage to Bellingham today - glorious morning

15 mile stage to Bellingham today - glorious morning. Along the wall and then north through forestry.

Mobile post from the Esendex BlogIt service

Finished for the day - going to wander over to

Finished for the day - going to wander over to Vindolanda. Stayed relatively dry - light rain type 15.

Mobile post from the Esendex BlogIt service

Marching along the wall today

Marching along the wall today. Just a short stretch after the last 2 hard stages. And it's stopped raining!

Mobile post from the Esendex BlogIt service

Arrived in Greenhead - it was a long old day

Arrived in Greenhead - it was a long old day - about 20 miles. All the guide books say it's fairly dull. There's nothing startling along the way - but it's pleasant enough - just long! Hadrians Wall tomorrow - just a short hop.

Mobile post from the Esendex BlogIt service

After yesterday's weather I'm thinking of Torremolinos

After yesterday's weather I'm thinking of Torremolinos. A better day today, grey but not raining and I can see more than 25 metres. Off to Greenhead, 20 miles, mostly flat.

Mobile post from the Esendex BlogIt service

Just coming down to Garrygill off the fells - thick

Just coming down to Garrygill off the fells - thick mist and rain meant it was an exercise in navigation - there was no view!

Mobile post from the Esendex BlogIt service

Leaving Dufton for Garrigil - going 15 miles over the

Leaving Dufton for Garrigil - going 15 miles over the highest fells in the Pennines today. I see that Dufton also boasts a beauty and relaxation retreat - hmm tempting - but do I need it?

Mobile post from the Esendex BlogIt service

Arrived in Dufton - which boasts a rakemaker of some

Arrived in Dufton - which boasts a rakemaker of some repute. I don't need a rake at the moment - but should you feel the need, this man has a degree in rakemaking. Tomorrow it gets harder.

Mobile post from the Esendex BlogIt service

At last! A signal again - haven't had one for

At last! A signal again - haven't had one for nearly 2 days. Walking across to Dufton today, Lindy's gone back to Leicester so back on my own for the last week. Weather still excellent. Sending this from High Cup Nick which is just stunning.

Mobile post from the Esendex BlogIt service

This was the second of our short days, following the

This was the second of our short days, following the Tees from Middleton to Langdon Beck. Upper Teesdale stunningly beautiful with amazing spring flowers. Lindy starts her trek back to Leicester tomorrow, while I go west to Dufton in Cumbria.

Mobile post from the Esendex BlogIt service

Just arrived at Middleton in Teesdale in beautiful sunshine

Just arrived at Middleton in Teesdale in beautiful sunshine. This is a short day - and there's another one tomorrow by way of a rest until I head for the hills and Cumbria. Yesterday we were in thick mist all day - lost the track across Bowes moor & had to navigate by compass - the things you do for fun!@

Mobile post from the Esendex BlogIt service

Moors & mist but wind has dropped and it's not

Moors & mist but wind has dropped and it's not raining. Lindy is talking wistfully of Torremolinos....

Mobile post from the Esendex BlogIt service

Made it to Keld ok - high winds and rain

Made it to Keld ok - high winds and rain made it a damp trip. Off to Baldersdale today across featureless moors... Hoping that wind drops - it's been v strong on the tops, blowing us all over the place.

Mobile post from the Esendex BlogIt service

Just setting off for Keld above Swaledale via Gt Shunner

Just setting off for Keld above Swaledale via Gt Shunner Fell. Via bus would be the more sensible option, the skies have turned murky and there's rain on the way.

Mobile post from the Esendex BlogIt service

Arrived wind blown into Hawes

Arrived wind blown into Hawes. A good walk but mostly against a stiff head wind. It has been pointed out to me that I misused an apostrophe earlier in this blog. O mea culpa - divorce proceedings are being considered....

Mobile post from the Esendex BlogIt service

No signal again in Horton - off now to Hawes

No signal again in Horton - off now to Hawes with Lindy - who's going well with 2 sticks and a sherpa. Still bright and sunny but v windy.

Mobile post from the Esendex BlogIt service

No signal last night - off to Horton with Lindy

No signal last night - off to Horton with Lindy today - bright but v windy.

Mobile post from the Esendex BlogIt service

Next stop Kirby Malham

Next stop Kirby Malham. Civilisation beckons - villages with shops and pubs!

Mobile post from the Esendex BlogIt service

Survived being gored by rabid sheep

Survived being gored by rabid sheep. All around Haworth the walking signs are in Chinese (or Japanese) script as well as English. Why? Are they keen Bronte fans? Fond of melodramatic tosh perhaps? Cowling to Kirby Malham tomorrow - another 16 mile hike.

Mobile post from the Esendex BlogIt service

Cowling is my destination today - another 15 miles via

Cowling is my destination today - another 15 miles via Withins near Haworth. (Wuthering Heights) I've been warned about aggressive sheep round there - they bully tourists for food evidently.

Mobile post from the Esendex BlogIt service

Is Hebden Bridge arty-farty I hear you ask? Well it

Is Hebden Bridge arty-farty I hear you ask? Well it would have meant an extra 3 miles to find out and when it came to it I found I didn't care that much.

Mobile post from the Esendex BlogIt service

Making for Hebden Bridge today - described as 'too arty-farty

Making for Hebden Bridge today - described as 'too arty-farty for me' by someone in Standedge - we shall see. Good paths and hood weather - no big hills today and the scenery's better!@

Mobile post from the Esendex BlogIt service

Here I am in sunny Standedge

Here I am in sunny Standedge. Trying to think of something interesting to say about today's walk.... Looking foward to a change in landscape, away from upland peat and flagstones, good though they are.

Mobile post from the Esendex BlogIt service

Off again - another fine day

Off again - another fine day. Crowden to Standedge (where?) today. Only 12 miles over Black Hill.... Hmmm sounds enticing.

Mobile post from the Esendex BlogIt service

Finished for the day - the weather made it a

Finished for the day - the weather made it a good walk, but Bleaklow really is bleak and probably not a good place to be in bad conditions.
Odd sighting: a dog with panniers doing the way and carrying it's own stuff (there was an owner as well). And I'd like to retract a sneer made when I heard they were paving bits of the way. Pave on chaps! @

Mobile post from the Esendex BlogIt service

Kinder downfall completely dried up

Kinder downfall completely dried up. The guide book talks of spray plumes to be seen in Stockport....

Mobile post from the Esendex BlogIt service

I've started in glorious weather - sunshine, cool breeze, stunning

I've started in glorious weather - sunshine, cool breeze, stunning views. Feeling fit, but I'll update you on that at the end of the day. Abou 16 miles to Crowden over Kinderscout....

Mobile post from the Esendex BlogIt service

I've just signed up for BlogIt

I've just signed up for BlogIt. It's a new service from Esendex where I can blog all day long from my mobile phone - for free!

Mobile post from the Esendex BlogIt service