HALF WAY
By my reckoning I have now done over 580 miles.
I have found that I have fallen into a routine for my daily walks. I usually set off between 8 and 9 in the morning and try to nail half of the day's distance before lunch. I can then relax a bit in the afternoon and time my arrival without the need to rush.
Without any real planning I have fallen into the same pattern for the whole walk. I have come half way camping every night and without having a rest day. I have also kept to my original plan and I have not been in a car, bus or on a ferry. Now, sore feet willing, I can finish the walk without too much pressure. The hardest walking is behind me (SW Coast Path), the weather is brightening up and I will start to take a few rest days.
Today's walking was pretty uneventful, save for the fact that no shops or pubs were open on the way. Consequently I did not get my breakfast until I arrived in Gargrave at 3.30. (It did not help that last night I did not have any tea or supper - pub did not do food).
The day was spent walking over fields and the occasional moor. This photo of cotton grass at Pinhaw Beacon shows that the path is not always this dry.
More fields led to the Leeds & Liverpool Canal and this famous unusual double bridge at East Marton. The upper bridge was added to cope with the heavy traffic that now uses the A59.
Wainwright described the final part of the day's walk as "..invisible footpaths in the fields and meadows and there will be many doubts and much going astray". Therefore I decided to simply follow the canal all the way to Gargrave. It was over a mile longer but I could steam along at 3 mph with Gyp off the lead.
Hi Pete,It's taken me until now to work out how to do this! You seem to be going great guns, love the photos,I recognised the area around Slimbridge as that was where I used to deliver meat many years ago!!!Keep trogging Best wishes
ReplyDeletePleased to hear its all going well for you. The canal from East Marton to Bank Newton is lovely. Mum & Dad ask for daily updates as they like to know where you are and how you are doing. Good Luck for the rest of the walk. Beverley.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the welcome you gave to three unexpected guests at Kettlewell on Thursday evening. What a pleasure it was to have a drink and a meal with you and to find you and Gyp in such good spirit. I hope the weather was not too hot for the next legs of your journey.
ReplyDeleteBack home, the beer has at last improved in the C.C.! Spitfire came on tap late on Friday. All the gang send their regards and wish you well...Happy Walking, Ray and Peter.
Where are you Pete??I need my daily fix of the blog!Zoe says you're having problems with the signal.She's been teaching me via the phone how to do this....so hope it works!Sorry haven't posted before but I do read your blog every day.Jamie and the boys send their love and we're just so pleased that you're over half way now.That trek through cornwall is bad enough by car never mind walking it! Keep going! and give Gyp a hug
ReplyDeleteSue X