16.3 miles – Greyed out skies and hills, rain, often heavy, strong winds in the afternoon
It’s not just that I’m soft; I feel I’ve already done peat bogs, done big ascents, done wind and certainly done rain – all in abundance on this walk. So it took me a bout a mile and a half this morning to decide that there was no point in struggling up Cross Fell in the rain and low cloud for a stunning view of all of 200 yards of moorland. It took me a further mile to decide that there was no point in pursuing farmland footpaths – they must be lovely in the summer – with their plenitude of long, wet grass, which would soak my socks through my boots in minutes and give me sore feet, when I could get to the same places along lanes and byways, keep my feet drier, and get a much better pace going into the bargain. So I did that.
Actually there was little to rejoice about today; however, the Post Office at Garrigill was just like shops used to be in my childhood 50 years ago. The postmistress also made me tea. It was charming.
I am also overjoyed that there was a bed for me out of the wind and rain at Langdon Beck Youth Hostel, and blown away by its drying room, which restored all my wet clothes, boots and rucksack. Let the rest of today be blown and washed far, far away!
Anne
7 July 2022 at 17:59
Dear Toby, we hope you’ve had a good day today. It was lovely to meet you at Langdon Beck YHA yesterday. We are home now, it’s not long until August 7th and you will be home too! Keep going the weather was so very different today with bright sunshine in great contrast to yesterday’s wild wind. Every good wish, Anne & Mark Davies
Toby
10 July 2022 at 11:18
Thank you so much, Anne, and thank you for being so cheerie and supportive at Langdon Beck. Toby
Guy
8 July 2022 at 18:06
I wonder if the gates on top of the styles are there to keep the draughts out?
Toby
10 July 2022 at 11:22
Great idea! I suspect that it has to do with keeping pet dogs from the sheep in the next field, as the styles would keep sheep and cows from passing.
Colin
11 July 2022 at 22:00
Hi Toby,Colin here I was the biker you met at Langdon Beck,just wanted to say it nice meeting you and good luck on the journey.
Toby
20 July 2022 at 05:50
How kind of you to post a comment and wish me well. the YHA at Langdon Beck was a joy.