Day 11 - Gods Bridge to High Force - 15 miles (138 miles in total)

Interesting day!  We awoke to torrential rain again!!

Wet weather gear was the attire of the day. 

We started at Bowes Moor.

In the words of Wainwright, the master walker, "This is the greatest wilderness in the country. 

 This is no-mans land"  He wasn't wrong!

We encountered significant flooding as we started.

Not to mention mist! Thank God our trusty GPS was working to get us across Cotherstone Moor.

We were a little unnerved to hear the MOD firing shells, and hoped there wouldn't be a stray one!

We took respite in a walkers shelter for 10 minutes.

We came down from the moors and the skies cleared and we thought we were in for a fabulous afternoon.  It all looks so much nicer in the sun!

However, as we crossed Hannah's Meadow, the clouds rolled in again, and so did the wind and rain.

Let us introduce you to Hazelgarth Rigg!

We were ankle deep in water and the winds were getting stronger and stronger, to gale force.  We were struggling to stay on our feet.  After about a mile, we approached what should have been a stream that had become a river, and was completely impassable and conditions were getting significantly worse.  We were over a mile onto this moor when we realised that for safety sake, we had to retrace our steps and return to the road.  Our trusty Sherpa found us behind a wall sheltering from the rain and wind.  We returned home, dried off and changed our clothes, and then recommenced our walk at the other side of the moor.

Lovely walk along the river with Toby leading the way.  The sun had come out!

Happy spring lambs!

Photo opportunity for Toby!

The river Tees looked magnificent.  Full of water and flowing fast from all that rain.

Couldn't resist a river video to show the volume of water flowing.

At the bottom of the Low Force Falls by Holwick Bridge.

Low Force Falls were spectacular.

We couldn't resist filming Low Force Falls.  Quite spectacular.

Sherpa Clare was meeting us at the High Force Hotel, and chose to walk towards us.  One mile into her walk, the heavens opened and we all go saturated.  We finally met up at Low Force Falls and turned around to walk back to the car parked at The High Force Hotel.  At that point, the heavens opened again.  By the time we reached the car park we were absolutely soaked to the skin and had to borrow Toby's towels to dry off.  Thank goodness the police didn't stop us on the way back to the cottage, as we were all wrapped in towels, trousers around our knees, and howling with laughter at the absurdity of our situation......... Well you have to laugh!!  What a day!

Day 10 - Thwaite to Gods Bridge - 14 miles (124 miles in total)

Today, it wasn't raining ..... IT WAS THE DAY OF THE BOG!!!

The good thing about lots of rain, is the waterfalls, as the pictures will show.

Sherpa shows the intrepid explorers departing on another day at Thwaite.

 We followed the path to Kiston Fell

Spectacular views of the River Swale came into view.

It's so nice not to be wearing our hoods!

We approached the lovely village of Keld.  Fond memories of the Coast 2 Coast for Marcia.

This is the meeting point for the Coast 2 Coast and the Pennine Way.

Wonderful views of the Keld waterfall.

We climbed up passed the Keld waterfall.

.... and on to Black Moor which was lovely and boggy!!

At this point, we lost the GPS, so Sharon stepped forward to do some map reading.

We finally came across a waymark to confirm that Sharon's map reading was excellent.

It was the first waymark and it continued across Stonesdale Moor.

Until we arrived at Tan Hill Pub

Sadly, no time for a drink!

 

So, it was onwards across Sleightholme Moor.  

There is nothing quite like the feeling of freezing cold water going over the top of  your boots into your feet.  Practically all of this area was bog, so not an enjoyable experience.  It took us 5 miles to get out of it, and it really slowed us down.

..... and not to mention, no waymarking!

Finally we reached a decent track and onwards to home and a roast dinner!

Day 9 - Cam House to Thwaite - 14 miles - (Now completed 110 miles)

GUESS WHAT!   IT'S RAINING.... AGAIN!!!!

Being dropped off at Cam House, and it's torrential

 Even Toby has his coat on, and doesn't look enthusiastic

Off we go

Nothing but rain clouds as we head down Dodd Fell

So much rain, it's beginning to flood

More clouds heading our way

Beautiful horse.  We're the only people he's seen all day!

Rivers are filling up as we approach Hawes

Seriously?  Can we go home now?

Dramatic scenery as we climb 8 miles up to Great Shunner.

Our tallest fell at 2340ft.

It began to clear for a little while and our hopes were high.  The clouds were quite spectacular.

Follow the leader with our trusty GPS!

Sharon contemplating a warm bath!

Stunning scenery.  Well it was for half an hour!

.....and then cloud and rain descended again!

This is the summit of Great Shunner.  Apparently it's a fabulous view.

This video will give you an idea of what it was like

We came across snow which Toby loved and had a good roll in.

As we descend to Thwaite, a rare glimpse through the clouds of the beauty of the moors.

Day 8 - Rainscar House to Cam House - 12 miles

A wet and windy day!!

Introducing Sherpa Clare.

The recipe says "add wine"

 Toby's ready for the off!

 The nightmare of Pen-y-ghent is now behind us.  Should be fairly easy track from now on.

 Spectacular view of the Kirkby Stephen viaduct.

 Onwards, over more fells.  It's still raining.

 More of the same, and it's still raining!

 Guess what?  It's still raining, and bitterly cold.

 Civilisation?  No. Derelict..... and it's still raining!

Oh joy!  Another storms heading in.

 It would be lovely in the sun

Remains of the Roman road which has been tarmac'd?

 Wet!  Thank God the day is over.

 Look how far we've come.

 Toby's had enough. We are heading off to our new base camp.

A warm welcome awaits us at Howlugill Barn in Gilmondby

Rest Day

We have completed our first week so a well earned recovery day ! 82 miles completed ....it's been hard but amazing!

Our thanks to Frankie our Sherpa who leaves us tomorrow. She's been fantastic!

Our inspirational thought for next week!