Day 12. Richmond to Danby Wiske ( 22 August)

This stage is about 23k over flat route the scenery is pastoral and the terrain underfoot is a mix of paths,tracks,and country lanes. The initial part runs parallel to River Swale. The walk was easy and a good way to get back into it after our rest day in Richmond. When we got to Danby Wiske we decided to have a rewarding beer as our overnight accommodation was located some two miles further on along the road. Whilst sitting on the delightful village green with our two American friends Joe and Toni we fell into conversation with a mini bus driver who was awaiting the arrival of 11 ladies from the Ramblers Club. After a little bit chat, by the incomparably smooth Barry, he agreed to give us a lift up the road for a mile. Well when we boarded the bus all 11 grey headed ladies looked at us and before we could help ourselves
One of us said " I feel just like a suicide bomber who has gone to Paradise!!" A risky thing to say admittedly but it had the desired effect and much laughter ensued followed by a quiet soft Yorkshire voice saying " but I thought we had to be virgins!"

That evening we were both really tired so after having a pizza we retired for the night.

Day 13.  Danby Wiske to Osmotherley (August 23)


20k today. we stayed the night before in a farmhouse B&B the usual fantastic breakfast and we set off shortly after 9 am with our packed lunches secure in our backpacks.

The walking is largely over farmland flat but still very pleasant. Underfoot the going is excellent the last part is up hill through woodland with the Yorkshire Moors looming menacingly in the near distance,never seemingly to get any closer!


Just before reaching the village of Ingleby Cross we had to cross over a railway line and then an extremely busy and dangerous A19 it was the Friday of a Bank Holiday weekend so the traffic was fast and incessant, running across the road was one of those things you only try in a nightmare,anyway we both made it so as a reward we stopped at the pub at Ingleby Cross which is a couple of miles short of our final destination. There we bumped into Brian The Londoner who has been deserted by his Kiwi girl. He has given up due to very bad blisters,he says he will return and complete the walk next year. Whilst having the first of our three pints of beer the Paradise Ladies of The Ramblers Club turned up,they had tea and sandwiches and disappeared as mysteriously as they had arrived.

Osmotherley is a delightful village reminiscent of the ones featured on BBC murder mysteries..we stayed at The Three Tuns a delightful little pub on the village green I spend a couple of hours after my shower listening to Test Match Special on Radio 5. Most entertaining.

Thinking back on our days of walking I realise that I have made no real mention of the flora and fauna we have come across. The farming has differed from extensive sheep farms with the sheep types varying as the more easterly we walk.cows are both beef and dairy. Barry and Judy had regaled me with horror stories of ramblers and even a vet who had been trampled to death by ordinary cows,not bulls,but cows so it was with some trepidation I crossed those fields,the sheep I was informed were harmless...in terms of bird life we have seen buzzards in the Lake District and heard their curious whistling calls.we have seen lots of swallows,house martins and skylarks as well as robin redbreasts,chaffinches and the edible pigeon,grouse,partridge and pheasant.In fact whilst on the Yorkshire Dales we were very close to the grouse Moors and could hear the shotguns.

 Wild flowers are a characteristic of the C2C and they in turn attract many types of butterflies,bees and dragon flies. Heather,forget me nots,Dog rose,foxgloves, dog violets, the much hated Ragwort,cowslips,early purple Orchid and many more types of flowers and plant that I do not recognise abound along the footpaths.

At one stage in the Lake District Judy and I feasted on wild raspberries,mmm delicious. The Blackberries are gradually ripening by the day and are now almost ready to eat.

Today and yesterday we witnessed giant combine harvesters bringing in the harvest.