A few loose ends

Hi Peeps. Several of you have asked some questions. I am happy to answer them, as sometimes I tend to ramble, and don't always explain myself very well. So, to tie up a few loose ends, here goes.

Matthew asked if I got a look at Fountains Abbey? Well guess what? I got a peek but couldn't go in as it was too late and they were closed. But shock horror, I took these two photo's and missed them off Day 5 Grassington to Ripon. So thank you Matthew for bringing it to my attention. This one is the view towards Pateley Bridge as I was walking away from it, up the hill past the cemetery.

And this is the peek I got of Fountains Abbey. It was getting late and I was concerned about finding a bed for the night. The gate was locked, I thought I might get a better view as I followed the road round the other side, but it was surrounded by trees.

Cynthia asks what kind of camera I use? Here it is Cynthia. A simple point and shoot Finepix J25. I take a lot of photo's but also delete a lot. I take several shots of the same thing from different angles, then pick out the best. I also edit with the simple Microsoft Office Picture Manager, cropping, colour enhance, and brightness and contrast.

I am not really sure how all the settings work, just use the basics, let it find it's own focus from Macro to Landscape.

ElaineInPhilly asks how do I remember everything to write? I take a notepad with me but very rarely use it. I always think to myself no need to write it down, I will remember it, and of course I don't, ha ha. I make notes on my maps, scribble on the edges, usefull for later when writing it up. Yes, the photo's are a prompt as well. I do tend to remember when quirky little things happen, such as the people I meet. The easiest way to make notes is to photograph what you want to remember.

Elaine also asked if I was eating enough? To be honest, I don't actually need to eat that much at any time, whether away or at home. I never eat big meals of stodge, the only time I have a big plate full is when I do steamed veg at home, because it doesn't hang around in the gut for hours. I prefer to eat small portions several times a day, and any doctor will tell you that is the best way to eat.

I ate the breakfasts at the B & B's but didn't eat any meat, so it was mainly eggs, beans, hash browns, tomatoes, and mushrooms. Every day I wrapped up the toast to take with me for later. I found I was feeling full for a long time after these breakfasts, so only needed to pop into a Spar shop to get something for tea. Tins of mackeral fillets, pasta salad in a plastic box, etc. Then I would eat half of it, and nibble the rest while walking the next day. I only once had something to eat in a pub, and that was only a baked potato with a tuna topping. I think generally people eat too much. I listen to my stomach, it tells me when to eat.

Jane asked would I do a walk again, or do I prefer new walks? Jane, I prefer to walk where I haven't walked before. Although this trip did include one or two places I had already seen. I have been to a lot of places in Yorkshire, so to come straight across the country from one side to the other, it was difficult to not come through Grassington and Pateley Bridge. Also I have been to York and Beverley before, they are near enough to visit on a day trip.

PP asks, do I take a tent and sleep anywhere, or would I get chased away? Dont Unplug also asks if I camp out? I don't have a tent light enough to carry, though I am thinking of getting one. If I took camping gear I could not take the net book, the rucksack would be too heavy. If I camp it's with my car, drive to a camp site. PP, there is such a thing as wild camping here. It's not strictly legal unless you get the landowners permission, and most will give it. Some people will camp discreetly, hide in a corner and no one will know they are there. The rule is you arrive late and leave early, leaving no signs that you were there. You wouldn't get arrested if you were caught.

Campfire, I arrived late at York Hostel, so I didn't see much of it. I had breakfast so didn't see the members kitchen, I sat in the empty dining room blogging, and I was in a four bedded room with two others. It seemed a good hostel.

Several people asked where do I plan on going next? I've a few ideas buzzing around in my head, something will come to me in a flash of inspiration I expect. I fancy the North Norfolk coast, Ireland, Isle of Man, and the Cotswolds. I could go anywhere, I'll let you know. I need to save up some pennies.

Judy wants a summary of the miles covered. Here is a day by day account.
The breakdown of miles is as follows.

Morecambe to Kirkby Lonsdale 18.03
Kirkby Lonsdale to Ribblehead 13.66
Ribblehead to Stainforth 15.01
Stainforth to Grassington 15.16
Grassington to Ripon 22.80
Ripon to York 26.63 (wow)
York to Pocklington 19.75
Pocklington to Beverley 19.27
Beverley to Humber Bridge 11.84
Total 162.15

Sorry I missed you Eileen, I got into Morecambe at 5pm and found a B & B pretty quickly, as it was cold. I had a short walk along the prom then retired to my room.

Carol asks how is my garden? Not much happening at the moment, Carol. Waiting for sown seeds to come up in the pots, more to sow. It keeps raining. The weeds need chopping down, the grass needs mowing. I will be growing veg in the same fashion as I did last year. Chuck some seeds down, rake them in, and see what happens. As long as I get some veg to keep me going, not expecting loads.

Welcome back Andrea, I'm glad you've found some posts particularly helpfull. Please stick around, I love it that you pop in.

My stomach thinks my throat is cut, ha ha. Lunch time. Toodle pip.

Day 9 Beverley to the Humber Bridge

Well here we are then Puddytat, this is the final and last day of our mega trek. I know you don't want to go under the cover again but it's still raining out there. At least you kept dry yesterday when I was squelching along in soggy boots. It's a good job we had a hot room at this B & B and I managed to dry things out on the radiator. Now we are all set to go. We haven't a long day, in fact this is going to be the shortest day. I don't want a repeat performance of a 30 miler like I had last year, from Selby to the Bridge, oh no, they'll be no late finish this time. Right, time to cover up.

Saying farewell to the Windmill Inn, at Windmill Walk, in Beverley. A nice room for £35, double bed again, ensuite, big breakfast, luverly juberly.

A quick look round before we depart. Shops in the Market Place.

The Bandstand.

The Methodist Church.

A jolly butcher standing outside his shop.

And here we are approaching the Minster, it's very close to the houses. I have been here before, but worth another look.

Inside there is an exhibition of hand embroidered textiles. There are about 25 of them, it must have taken ages to complete. I can't find the artists name on the web site, sorry.

Such intricate detail, they are beautiful.

One last look at the Minster.

I followed a minor road out to Beverley Parks Crossing, then took a right turn down a track picking up the Roses Cycle path again. Over the A 1079, round an electricity sub station, and came into Cottingham past a lot of commercial salad growers greenhouses. I had intended to shoot off to the right to take a look at Skidby, but by now my only thoughts were on crossing the finishing line. I can visit Skidby at a later date, as now they have reduced the cost of crossing the bridge to £1.50, giving me new places to walk and not too far to travel.

I have seen a lot of these conservation signs dotted around the entrances to fields, discouraging people to wander willy nilly through them. I must say, I would much rather stick to official footpaths, but if farmers and land owners let their stiles and access routes become overgrown, then sometimes I am forced to find my own way through.

Time for a sit down at Willerby. From now on it is mostly residential areas I am passing through.

This is an interesting building, it's opposite a school on the edge of Kirk Ella, and looks like it's being used for industrial purposes. I asked a woman who was walking her dog. She said the school used to be a Manor House and this was the stable block.

It's a fascinating piece of architecture, I hope they preserve it. It would be a shame to let it crumble.

Then I spot the towers of the Humber Bridge, and I'm quite excited. Only another half mile, and here we are arriving at the bus stop. Puddytat is happy, it stopped raining so we are nice and dry.

So that brings us to the end of the walk, all 162 miles of it. The bus came and took us to Winterton. There was still another two miles to go home, I could have rung someone to pick me up, but I thought, sod it, not worth bothering people to come out, get a Magnum ice cream and walk home.

I feel pleased that I have achieved this walk, I did what I set out to do, giving up was not an option. I will go through your comments and answer any questions in another post. I thank you all for spurring me on, I have felt that you, my friends, were all there alongside me. Many thanks.

Day 8 Pocklington to Beverley

My goodness I'm struggling with this new Blogger format, things are jumping all over the place, what a pain. Spose I'll get used to it eventually but why do we have to learn something else when the old method worked perfectly well.

Anyway, Day 8 was the worst day of the whole trip, it never stopped raining and my feet were squelching in soggy boots. My waterproofs did quite a good job of keeping me reasonably dry, only slightly damp on my shoulders, not bad for saying my kit was bought on the cheap. The other problem was the wind driving the rain straight at me, I used my brolly to keep the worst off, but it was a battle to stay upright, especially on exposed ground. 

This is the church at Pocklington.

An allyway with a fresh fruit and veg, and plants shop at the end, with all it's wares spilling out onto the pavement. It looked very colourfull.

Masses of flowers in the municipal gardens.

I set of towards Burnby along the road, following Route 66, the Way of the Roses National Cycle Route. I thought this was a bit over the top on the side of a house. Maybe someone taking part in the Olympics lives there?

Then I went on to Londesborough. I recall someone asking me for some photo's of this village, so here are a few. It wasn't a good day for photography, umbrella in one hand and camera in the other.

This is the old school house.

Same building, another angle.

I thought the house next door looked more like a school house.

Now this is a rare sight. A working red phone box, complete with a set of phone directories. The cash box is no longer there, so you need a credit card to make a call. Looks like someone has been keeping it tidy.  

Sorry no more photo's for today, it was all I could do to battle on against the wind and rain. I went through Godmanham and got onto the Wilberforce Way, an old disused railway line. It was hard going slipping and sliding through the mud. I decided to get off it and walk alongside on the tarmac cycle route., even parts of that were flooding with the amount of rain coming down. I knew the cycle route ended up at Beverley so I thought I would be safe following that. Trouble was that it didn't go direct, and I seemed to be marching along long straight roads going nowhere. I got completely lost because I went right off my map. What I should have done was to get back on to the Wilberforce Way and stuck with it. I asked a woman unloading her shopping and she told me where to get back on the track. I think I probably did an extra couple of miles more than I needed to. I've checked the route I took, and it wasn't too far off where I should have been.

I eventually arrived in Beverley and picked up some supplies at the Co op. Someone told me to try the Dog and Duck for a bed, but they were full, then the landlady very kindly rang another place nearby and I got in there. It was still raining so I didn't leave the warmth of my room that night. What a horrible day, I was beginning to question my sanity as I was plodding along mile after mile. It was just over 19 miles, but it all turned out ok in the end. Toodle pip. One more day left.   

Day 7 York to Pocklington

Yep, I'm home, all done and dusted, ha ha. I've got a cat on my knee, and Rocky sat next to me on a chair. Just got the last three days to enter on here, so lets get on with the job. This is York International Youth Hostel, it's a massive place, 147 beds. There was a coach load of foreign students in, all jabbering away excitedly, they were having a great time. A fantastic breakfast here as well. 

I needed to go through the centre of York and out the other side, and the easiest way to do that is to follow the river. The pleasure cruisers were getting ready for the days work.

The wheel is moving slowly round, not many riding it this early.

I was very close to the Railway Museum and decided to pay a visit. This is a fantastic place, free to go in, and a massive collection of everything trains to see. Even if you are not a train fan it is definately worth a visit. The engines are kept in pristine condition. I saw a cleaner going round them with a feather duster.

Those wheels are huge, and shiny.

This is a Japanese Bullet Train.

Puddytat liked this one best, I even had to put a coin in so he could have a ride, ha ha. And if you believe that you will believe anything.

I left York on the A1079, and after crossing over the A64 I took a minor road through Dunnington and then footpaths on to Stamford Bridge. These chickens were on an allotment, aren't they pretty.

I went through Hagg Wood, and wondered if I should with my track record of getting lost in woods. This one was ok though, the path was clearly marked.

Here is the bridge at Stamford Bridge.

There is a dismantled railway line that goes through the village, on the top of the viaduct.

This building looks like an old mill.

There are ducks and geese wandering about, trashing the grass, it looks a bit bald here.

Onwards I went to Pocklington, some road walking now. I was getting a bit fed up of the unpredictable weather. Here you can see I still have my trousers on, despite it being sunny. I don't know which is worse being too hot or too cold. You can guarantee as soon as I take layers off the clouds come and it goes cold.

I was a bit late arriving at Pocklington, due to dawdling in York. That seems to have been the pattern, have a look round a place before setting off in the morning, and walking faster in the late afternoon to get to another place, buy some provisions, and find a bed for the night. This was my most expensive bed, The Feathers. Cough, splutter, £50. The thing is when you are getting a bit weary you can't find an extra bit of energy, or inclination, to traipse around looking for something cheaper. This was no better than one costing £35, it just happened to be in the right place.  

Toodle pip till tomorrow