We have been in Great Britain for 16 days and the unthinkable has finally happened. Something that we have not experienced so far on our walk. We planned carefully for all possible contingencies. We have dealt with blisters, shin splints, rashes, stinging nettles, rearranging trip plans, a lost phone, the dreaded closed pub along the way… Even the smushed rotten banana at the bottom of a pack requiring daypack triage It is early morning and they are smiling right now but they don’t know what we are about to discover. An act of God to test our resolve when we are only 2 days from our destination. It is RAINING! Like Job we will persevere. Thankfully this is our shortest walk of the trip at 9 miles.We don our rain gear and head out into the 55 degree windy and rainy weather.  Bill is especially prepared with his rain shorts.  This area is dotted with many old interesting crosses. This one is the symbol for the NYMNP. This one is called Fat Betty.  We come upon a gameke...

We leave the White Swan on Sunday morning after a leisurely breakfast since we have a relatively short and flat day across the agricultural lowlands of the Vale of Mowbray. Today’s and yesterday’s walks are across the flattest terrain on the Coast to Coast. Hurry get over and be prepared to make a run for it. There is more varied livestock on this section still the ever favorite sheep but now there are horses and more cows.  Lots of different kinds of cows. This poor guy has a mullet! There are large farm fields of hay and other crops. We stop at an inn in a tiny village to eat our lunch at the picnic tables bordering the cricket pitch.  We discover that there is a friendly match about to start.  Petra gives us a quick tutorial and we all quickly fall in love with the game. It is action packed and moves along at a quick pace. We spend 45 minutes enjoying the sun and game (and some napping). After we leave the cricket match which is still going on and may be continuing fo...

Today started at the local weekly market …  We ambled along through pastures speckled with sheep, horses, and cows and loads and loads of poo.  We ended at The White Swan and were graciously received even though we were early. Major shout out to Steve and his crew for their kind hospitality and fun night. We watched the rugby competitive match with the locals and slept soundly to a thunderstorm.  Another lovely day in the books! 

Before we left for the day we visited the market in Reeth square to provision for our lunch- delicious vegetables, fruit, cheese and bread! Is that Jerry Garcia alive and well and living in Reeth? Headed off along the Swale River for our last day in the Yorkshire Dales. The farmers were working with the sheep and the dogs were running back and forth keeping the herd together. Do they count people when they sleep 💤 ? The  ruins of Marrick Priory in the background. The priory was a Benedictine nunnery that was dissolved by King Henry VIII in 1540. 

There was a light drizzle for an hour in the morning before we departed.  We are headed from Twaithe to Reeth with a stop in Muker to visit Swaledale Woolens. How could we pass by with two hardcore knitters (Petra and Gwen) in our group. Yarn purchased we are off for a leisurely walk along the River Swale in the Swaledale Valley. It was slightly overcast which made it pleasant for 11 miles of walking. Eventually we headed uphill slightly from the river and began crossing fields to complete our trek to Reeth. Of course the ubiquitous sheep 🐑  As we approach Reeth we meet a local gentleman who showed us a shortcut into Reeth. He pointed out our hotel to us.  OMG, is it condemned?  We have so far been quite lucky with our accommodations. You never can be sure when you are booking places unseen and when some times you have no choice where you stay.  Fortunately, it was not condemned just undergoing an exterior renovation.  The town of Reeth is larger than the ...