Tuesday 27 March 2018

Monk Fryston to Newland. Day 6.

Hello. I didn't have a very good night, my cold got worse, throat was sore, and I couldn't stop coughing. On top of that, the nose was running like a tap. I wondered whether to carry on, but I thought things would improve once I got some lung fulls of cold fresh air inside me. 
It was drizzly rain when I set off at 9.30am, and I had to get the brolly out when it came down a bit heavier. The forecast said it wouldn't last so I wasn't too bothered. It was a bit cold though. I had it in mind to go straight across on minor roads, the footpaths over fields would have been very boggy. I was heading for Howden, I could probably get a bed there, or a bit further on at Eastrington. 
If anyone is following my route, I went through Hillam, Gateforth, West Haddlesey, Chapel Haddlesey, Temple Hirst, Hirst Courtney, Carlton, then Newland. I was coughing and filling up a wad of tissues with my germs, all the way. I reckon I might have got this from a lad who was on the train just across the gangway from me. He coughed a lot. I never get a cold.
There wasn't much of interest to take photo's of, so the camera stayed in my pocket. I like the way they have made good use of this redundant phone box. A mini library, the books were all good quality. 
The landscape is not very interesting in these parts, acres and acres of flat agricultural land, mostly ploughed fields at this time of the year till the crop growing season starts.

 I stopped for a bite to eat at a childrens play ground, I remember sitting on the bench there before when I was walking in these parts. It got to about 2.30pm and I was getting tired, it was becoming a drudge, and I was not enjoying it. All of a sudden I decided to go home, but I was in the middle of no-where and it was going to take me another hour and a half to get to either Howden, or Goole, where I would seek out public transport.

I sent a 'help', text to Janet to ask her to look up train and bus times out of these two places. She rang me back with a couple of alternatives, depending on what time I could get to these places. I thought I was on target to make the 4pm train at Goole, if not then definitely the 5 o clock.

About ten minutes later I arrived at a junction and needed to cross the River Aire. I had walked into a dead end and was trapped. Where I thought there was a crossing, there wasn't, oh no. There is a corner between the Ouse and the Aire where there is no way out apart from a massive detour. Not too bad in a car, but my feet were not going to make it. I decided to knock on a door to ask for advice about what to do, which was the best way to go.

A man came out and he said it would be unwise to scramble up a bank and continue along a busy elevated road with fast moving traffic. I was desperate to get to the station at Goole so I thought I would take a chance. Then completely out of the blue the kindly man offered to take me to the outskirts of Goole in his car. By this time I had had enough of walking with sore feet, and coughing my heart out, so I accepted the lift. It was quite a distance, I would never have made it and would be stuck with no-where to sleep.

What a star eh! We chatted like we were old buddies, it goes to show there are some decent kind people out there willing to help. So, if you are reading this Stuart, thank you for the lift, it was very much appreciated. I got the 4pm train, changed at Doncaster, and arrived in Scunthorpe at 5pm. Lovely friend and cat sitter Janet was there to pick me up. What do you think Puddy Tat, that was one hell of an adventure wasn't it. Are you glad to be going home. By the way, Stuart is a cat person, which makes him a good guy in my books.
I walked 15 miles today, making a grand total of 110 over six days. I think that's quite good. Now I rest.

Thanks for popping in, we'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip

29 comments:

  1. Good decision to get home as a cough can lead to a chest infection or worse. What a Good Samaritan you met, and of course your friend Janet. Time to rest and recuperate.

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  2. Keep warm. Put your feet up and feel better soon x

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  3. Get yourself rested and well soon.

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  4. best decision. we have had this sort of help in the past . restores your faith in people

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  5. So sorry to hear you are not feeling well Ilona. You have done the right thing by coming home early, now rest up and get better soon x

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  6. Bit of a wobbly ending but an interesting and successful holiday nevertheless. Glad you got back safely and I hope you are soon fully recovered from your cough.

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  7. I hope that you feel better soon and YAY!! for Stuart!

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  8. Rest, recover and re-charge! Hoping you're feeling better soon!

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  9. A kind lady gave me some water for our dog when I knocked on her door. We were going on holiday to the caravan only just over an hour journey but the M5 was blocked and so were the A roads so it took 6 hours!!! Some kind people about. Hope you feel better soon All the best xxx

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  10. You were blessed to meet Stuart, a Good Samaritan when you needed one. Amazing that you walked 15 miles following a bad night and not well. Now stay warm and take care of yourself.

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  11. I am so glad you are home now. Rest, eat well, and rest, rest, rest. Go see the doctor if the cough gets worse. Bless Stuart and bless you.

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  12. I know you don't eat any meat, but a good kale soup with rice will cure as well as the old fashioned Jewish antibiotic (known as chicken soup). Onions, celery, carrot, fresh garlic, fresh parsley,bit of turmeric, salt and pepper and LOTS of curly kale. Simmer til all are tender and ingest with a big helping of rice (I like Lundberg organic sushi rice, but not sure if you've got that in the UK). You're a freaking trooper girl!!! Curl up with a bunch of blankets and a cat and rest, rest, rest. Hugs to ya'll from the USA Deva.

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  13. You are a trooper, and I'm glad you got a lift with the kindly Stuart. Now relax and get better!

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  14. Rest up and feel better soon! This year has been the worst for cold viruses.

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  15. What a nice man! And I think you have made a wise decision. Best to get home and rest and hopefully the cold won't linger.

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  16. Home and rest is best for a cold!

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  17. So sorry you had to end your walk early but you made the right decision to go home. Well done on the mileage, no mean feat ! I have had this awful virus for over 2 weeks now . So take care. Get better soon.

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  18. Well done Ilona, you were so lucky to meet Stuart, what a kind person. Now look after that cough and the feet of course.

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  19. If your cold feels anything like mine then you made a wise decision. Thank goodness for people like Stuart. Rest up and feel better soon. X

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  20. I do hope you are feeling better soon, take the next couple of 'extra' days to rest.

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  21. Hi Ilona, was so pleased to hear that lovely Stuart helped you x hope you are resting now in the warm with your furry friends; wishing you better , love from Mo xx

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  22. Hope you are feeling a bit better today! Thanks for telling us about your walking adventures. Vicki

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  23. Blimey Ilona - you don't do things by halves!! Stuart sounds a lovely chappie and his actions speak volumes. Your walking 'target' was excellent over six days. Just be kind to yourself for a while whilst you recover from this nasty cold.

    Best Wishes

    Carol

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  24. Wise decision. Live to fight another day. Get well soon. Enjoyed seeing the photos.

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  25. Am amazing total, esp. with a cold.

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  26. Been following your trip Ilona. Thank you for all the brilliant pictures and interesting banter. I love your spirit and attitude....now you are home do take care of yourself and shake that cold off. Rae x

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  27. Get well soon Ilona. I've got the cough virus as well, pretty miserable, so plenty of hot drinks and for goodness sake, keep warm.

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  28. Congratulations on achieving the miles you did. I really enjoyed your daily entries and the photos. The towpath on the Leeds and Liverpool canal is great for walking and cycling although it can get very busy in the summer. Did you pass the Piano raft moored just outside Leeds - a home built construction lived on by an artist. I met him when we were on our boat on the L&L last year. Sorry to hear you’ve succumbed to a cold. I’ve had this and a really bad cough for days. There are some nasty virus’s around so take care and rest. Kristel

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