Day 9 – C2C Walk

Another morning and another full English. This was the best one so far with beans, black pudding and duck eggs. After that the pub owner drove us up to our end point yesterday we set off on the days only hill. A short but steep climb up on to the summit of Round Hill. From there we carried on following the Cleveland Way for a few more miles along an old railway line. A mile on and we came across a piece of paper in the middle of the track held down by two large stones. Now at this point I should explain that the two Stevens (Hairy Hiker and Blithering Idiot) had parted company with us yesterday as they were ahead of schedule and were going to do a few shorter 10 mile days. Imagine our surprise as the note read:
“Graham and Mark. Come on you plodders. The early bird catches the Blithering Idiot. Lots of Love, The Witheavees”
They had only carried on through to the same village as us last night and got up early this morning to set off before us. We just couldn’t believe the sneakiness but it really lifted the spirits and got us laughing on our way.
The path now followed the old railway line for another 5 miles through some of the most remote moorland you can imagine. I love this trip but this section is so dull. So we just got our heads down and marched on. At the old Bloworth crossing junction we left the Cleveland Way but will meet back up with it tomorrow as we hit the last few miles. The railway track was really easy to walk on and we blitzed the first 8 miles in just over 2 hours, an astonishing pace considering it was day 9. Then we left the railway and walked up a small hill to the most remote pub in England, The Lion Inn. Time for a quick break and then more boring walking across the moors, this time along the roads. It just goes on and on and although we were doing some fast 17 minute miles it was starting to get us down.
A few more miles on and we then went on to the old Whitby Road which starts as a Tarmac road and then turns into sand. Just before the Tarmac ran out we came across another message. This time chalked out across the whole width of the road.
“the Withavees Woz here. (Having lunch)”
This was even funnier than the last message and I’m sure will keep other walkers behind us who know them amused over the next few days along that route. These lads are really funny guys and we couldn’t wait to catch them up. The only other point of note was the second fryup of the day. This time it was a signpost to a village of that name. That’s how boring this section is that I have to take pictures of half amusing signposts.
A few miles down the track and we then entered the village of Glaisdale. Immediately we saw a sign on a house for Glaisdale Tea Garden. It was a lady’s house and she used to offer walkers a cup of tea. Then last year she decided to turn her large garden shed into a tea room complete with seats inside and decking outside stretching into her garden. We took the opportunity to have a cup of tea and take a lunch stop. This is a really cracking stop and I hope she succeeds in her business venture. The weather was turning and threatened rain but thankfully it held off and by the time we left the tea garden it was bright and sunny again.
We passed on through the town of Glaisdale and took a route through a really nice forest with streams either side of us. The path through here was lined with old stones that had clearly been there for hundreds of years judging by the amount they were worn. It reminded me of the path a few days ago up to Marrick from the priory. You’re mind just starts to think of all the people that have walked through it before you.
Once out of the wood it was just a short walk along the road to Egton Bridge and then through a country estate towards Grosmont, our destination for the evening. At the end of the lane as we entered the village we saw two weary gentlemen sat on a bench. Yep you guessed it, we had finally caught up with hairy hiker and blithering idiot. They were just deciding which campsite to go to as the village has one at either end. After a quick catchup and a good laugh about the messages they left, we walked through the village towards our B&B which was situated right outside the Grosmont Railway station. This is a steam railway called the North Yorkshire Moors Steam Railway and was the station used in the Harry Potter movies for the Hogwarts Express. Then as if to welcome us home, a stunning black steam train started to set off from the platform. What an amazing end to a very dull walking day. Suddenly the boring moors didn’t matter anymore, even more so when we saw that we had walked over 22 miles in less than 8 hours. A blistering pace of 2.8 mph, our fastest of the walk so far.
So another day done and just one more to go. It’s mixed emotions with the joy of completing this huge challenge and on my birthday and the genuine sadness that it’s all over. Part of me actually wants to turn round and go back to St Bees. Maybe a challenge for me in the future lol. I don’t think mark is impressed with that as his blisters are now really bad and cover most of his feet. I feel a little guilty because I haven’t got a single one after 180 miles. Anyway, the B&B is really nice and we got talking to three elderly women over our meal who are also on the challenge and look to finish tomorrow after 20 days. The town only has one pub which is a private railway club but the landlord has kindly allowed us in for a couple. Well we couldn’t not have a beer to end the day could we? 😉