Day 4 Earby to Ilkley

Here I am in my hotel room, I don't know if I should tell you how much it cost. Let's just say that added to the £17 for last night, and divided by 2 the answer is £39.50. Ha ha. Yes it is too much. I have walked a long way today because I felt much better, and I didn't want to go off route and go down into Ilkley to search for a bed. Another walker told me about the Cow and Calf and said it is on the Millennium Way, so when I got here and the barman told me the price, I thought sod it, just pay.

The food is too expensive here, so after a shower and change into my soft shoes, I trouped off down the long hill to Tesco. There I spent £3.30, reduced price prawn salad, drink, doughnuts, bread, and quiche for tomorrow. I didn't fancy the mile long trek back up the hill so I thought I would try hitch hiking. Held my thumb out and smiled. Three cars passed me and the fourth car stopped. It was an Asian chappie, I hopped in and said can you drop me off at the hotel at the top. He said yes, you will have to pay me. I said I have no money. Then he pointed to the sign at the top of his windscreen, TAXI. I said I had better get out, I have no money. I hadn't even noticed he was a taxi. Then he said he was picking up at the Cow and Calf, and if I couldn't pay it didn't matter. OMG I was dying to get out because I was bursting to laugh. A free ride in a taxi, ha ha.

Anyway, as I said I felt a lot better this morning. People are telling me you walk through the pain and come out the other side, so fingers crossed it should get better. I walked across the fields to Lothersdale and came across this pond. Now I feel I am in my favourite county, Yorkshire, I love it here.

The next bit was a long trek on the road, the most direct route to Glusburn and Cross Hills. I was striding along. It is not as sunny today, a nice breeze, much more comfortable.

Here we are coming into Glusburn. I love these old fashioned signs.

Down into Cross Hills, I found a Co op store and purchased a drink and a tub of tuna pasta salad, and found a church to sit and have lunch. As you can see I have taken my boots and socks off, it was lovely to walk about on the cold grass.

Over the railway bridge and the A629, to Kidwick, I walked along the Leeds and Liverpool canal for a while. I was able to chat to the chappie on this boat. There are two barges tied together, with building materials on board. He said they work for British Waterways and they are going to repair some canal banks. The little engine bit at the front is pushing the barges along.

The houses have lots of pot plants and flowers, just coming into Silsden.

I have a second wind now, and I'm striding along. My moods keep alternating, one minute I think I will never get to the end, then I suddenly get a buzz when I think of what it might feel like when I arrive at Hull. It was a long climb out of Silsden. Stopped to ask a tractor driver the way as I couldn't find the path. I went past Brunthwaite Crag and turned right at Nab End, heading for Ilkley Moor. Over Addingham High Moor, It's fabulous up here.

Up, up, and away, I joined The Millennium Way. This is a lovely part of the walk, makes me feel very happy.

Ilkley was on my left hand side, the path goes quite close to it in some places, but it was too early to pack up, so on I went. This is a cute little stone footbridge, the ferns are quite high at the moment.

The path climbed up again, and I came across this little white building. The man was just closing up. I was intrigued, the sign said Bath House. He told me that people do indeed climb up here to have a bath. It is a cold spring bath, Ilkley is a spa town. He said there is a queue to get in on January 1st as it's a tradition. Him and his wife make a living working here, there is no vehicle access, everything has to be carried up. What a wonderful place to live. I must Google this when I get back, apparently it is on the Bradford Council website, because they own the building.

This is the view they have from their front door, pure bliss if you ask me. He said they love it in the winter when the snow is down.

Nearly there now, passing through Ilkley Craggs.

I'm in a good place to get a good start tomorrow. across towards Otley and Harewood, so I'll have a look at the map so see which way I'm going to go. Off to watch a bit of tele now before bed time. I'm so pleased that you are coming along on this journey with me, thanks for your company. Toodle pip.