Today
would be my long walk of 23 miles through the notorious Vale of Mowbray.
Crossing from Swaledale to the Cleveland hills staying on lowland never getting
above 300ft. Tedious as Wainwright called it, but no alternative, it was head
down using the lanes and fields to make my way to Ingleby Cross. I met a couple
from Sunderland at the start of this trek; they were doing the Coast to Coast
in 11 days. They had just completed two 20 mile days with today’s and
tomorrow’s to come! The company was welcome for this part of the route and they
were glad of my navigation skills (GPS), they had previously gone wrong the day
before losing 2½ hrs having to back track. The excitement of today was knowing
that at the end we had to get across the A19, which would mean crossing the dual
carriageway during the rush hour. The other highlight was trying to make sure
we got to Danby Wiske at lunch time, before the White Swan closed so we could
enjoy a well deserved pint. But before all that we crossed the A1, or should I
say passed under it, skirted around Catterick race course and on through many
fields and lanes. At Bolton on Swale an obelisk in St Mary's churchyard marks
the grave of Henry Jenkins who is reputed to have lived to the ripe old age of
169. I think Mick was feeling that age as he grumbled about his blisters. Again
a little Coast to Coast nicety where on route people had put out honesty tables
equipped with drinks, fruit, crisps etc for the walkers. We were getting
concerned that we may reach the White Swan just in time to see its doors close,
but luckily we made it. After one or two drinks and some food it was back
through the many lanes and fields, this was a real test of endurance. Slowly we were
getting closer to meet the real challenge of the day, to not become 'road
kill'! As we approached the A19, Will had his last cigarette vowing to ritually
burn his boots at Robin Hood’s Bay if he made it across. The noise of the traffic
becoming louder as the tops of the lorries over the hedges came into view.
Rather than just a dual carriageway, we were faced with a slip road to a petrol
station, making it three lanes to cross this side with three lanes the other
side of the central reservation, due to a turning opposite. Because of the
exertion of the days walk we were unsure, with our backpacks, whether we would be
able to run quickly if needed. A quick practice didn't help to steady the
nerves! Anyway just as we arrived I could see a gap and just shouted
"run", the central reservation was reached and immediately another
gap appeared on the other side. It was all for one, but no one for all, but we
made it. Looking back we never saw a gap big enough to repeat what we had just
done and a ½ mile later we were settled in the Blue Bell Inn.