Today was one of our easier and less scenic days, although still an enjoyable walk. The forecast called for 0% chance of showers today, but it was raining a bit when we got up this morning. It had stopped by the time we left, though, and spit a few times during the day but never enough to call it rain. We all agree that, for walking, this weather is much preferred to blazing sunshine. Being Sunday, we had the accompaniment of church bells as we departed from Richmond - very beautiful to hear, especially in the landscape we are walking through. We were still walking by the River Swale for the early part of today's walk. The old stones homes that we pass are beautiful and the gardens are amazing. I am particularly enthralled with the size and colour variety of the roses.
When I signed up this walk I didn't know a lot about it. Almost everyday I am surprised with some element or other. When I was given the choice of a 13-day or 16-day walk I chose the 16-day version thinking it would be a nice leisurely stroll. It is days like today that I am especially happy to have chosen the longer version. People on the shorter version have to do about 36km today. I know it's pretty flat, but I'm pretty sure no one has fun with that kind of mileage! As we were sitting in the pub before dinner tonight we say two young men, probably in their early 20s, collapse on the lawn outside the building. After rolling around, hugging their legs and dangling them upside down in the air for a while, they layed motionless on the ground for about 10 minutes. It turns out they are doing the route about twice as fast as we are; I can't imagine.....
We had fewer sheep on the path today. More cattle and the introduction of agricultural lands - looked like various types of grains. Sheep have been our constant companions since day 1, and we missed hearing & seeing them when they weren't there. We passed through one field of steers who didn't seem to like us going through their territory. We gave them a wide berth and they only feigned wanting to chase us, although others on the trail reported being pursued. We passed through a field of horses at one point and several were not shy at all about coming right up to us, perhaps hoping for apples or other handouts.
We had lots of cross-country travel early in the day, a bit of a detour around road construction in the middle and about 4 miles of road walking towards the end. The field walking of the last few days has been very gentle on our feet and we really appreciate that. The road walking, while easy to navigate and free of mud & bogs, can be tiring and painful on the tender tootsies. Every surface has its pros and cons, and it is nice to have the diversity.
At the hamlet of Bolton-on-Swale we stopped by St. Marys Church where there is a monument to Henry Jenkins, "a local man who lived an unremarkable life except for its length. He claimed he was 169 when he died." The church itself dates back to the 14th century.
Our home for the night is the tiny village of Danby-Wiske. So tiny, in fact, that we're in two B&B's just down the road from each other. Both are nice. Marilyn & I are in the one with the pub; Trudy and Nony have a very luxurious bathroom (and internet that works). A hearty English pub dinner and we go to bed with full tummies again.......
Wow! Those roses really are amazing!! I can almost smell them from here!
ReplyDeleteThe roses are lovely, can never have too many flowers!!
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