Today was fairly straightforward and uneventful. A lot of pretty and gentle meadow walking mostly. Our old friend and guide for the past couple of days, The Swale River was to lead us out of Reeth and then rejoin us to guide us into Richmond, the day’s goal.
The first job of the day was to save a dying lamb. I went and told the farmer who didn’t seem to perturbed and to be honest, the little creature was probably just resting, though it looked close to death to my “expert” eye. Well…I felt better about telling someone about it, anyway. Next we were to look out for Marrick Priory. The old abbey was yet another victim of Henry VIII’s reformation. It’s a private centre today so has to be admired from the road. Marrick is mentioned in the Doomsday Book and I rather think not much has changed in the village since then. We then experienced a steep climb up some steps. Well, they’re called steps but was more like a steep, stoney cliff. Nuns built them. That could explain the craftsmanship. Though it probably has more to do with the age of them. I’d say they were around 500 years old. Hay meadows then took us to Elaine’s Country Kitchen. This was just a farm where teas are served to hikers, but such institutions are always a welcome site and a haven of familiar faces. Everyone discusses how they are progressing and seeing that most days have standard start and end points, friends are easy to find.
Although we crossed cow filled fields today, the beasts proved kind and my “like” of cows is slowly returning. Lets not be too hasty and call it love quite yet.
The country roads are lovely to walk this time of year as the wild berries are beginning to fruit so walking was slowed somewhat by lunch on the run. On today’s menu was raspberries. There really is nothing better than wild fruit and somehow you don’t need as much. It baffles me how natural, wild fruit can taste like this, but then we go and domesticate it. Make it bigger and brighter….and much more tasteless. We then create chemicals that taste like the real thing. Why do we complicate things so much? The original is always the best. You really can’t improve on nature.
A gentle climb got us to a lone white cairn which was a perfect rest spot before heading off for the final push. On the way, calves and farmers had to be talked to (everyone is so friendly on this walk!). I kind of liked the Miss Dolittle title given to me by the old man.
After about 6 hours, The Swale River was again in view. As was Richmond with its welcoming castle. After 13 miles, the tea shop had to be found. Tea and chocolate has become somewhat of a ritual.
We liked our B&B tonight, the views over Richmond being quite fabulous. Dinner was at the old station which has been revamped into a restaurant/art gallery/cinema. Ok, well Mum had dinner. I felt ill. It had nothing to do with the block of Thornton’s coconut and lime chocolate I ate!
After dinner we wandered across to Easby Abbey (seeing we hadn’t walked enough today!). It was a gorgeous stroll along the river with quite a few pretty little spots. There was also a lovely little church next to the ruins, complete with beautiful, simple frescoes. Next it was off to bed. Why are we always put on the top floor with a stair climb equivalent to Everest?!?!?!
XXX
