We are still in rolling countryside: the type that is never written about, probably for good reason. It comes to something when even we are looking forward to a hill or two. We arrived at Ingleby Cross by 1pm with possibly the most exciting bit being crossing the very busy A19 dual carriage way on foot (well at a run actually). So we had covered 9.7 miles and 5 floors in less than 4 hours. At this point I should stop but well the Cleveland hills beckoned and I convinced Andrea to do a slight excursion up the hill - huge mistake. 6 miles, 17 floors later, plus a few bits of colourful language due to trying to traverse part of the wood that had just been forested, and we are back to where we started. On reflection, if there is a choice, stay in the pub and just drink :-)
Longer version
I don't think there is anything to write home about regarding the Vale of Mowbray between Danby Wiske and Ingleby Cross: although it obviously produces lots of food. I suppose in logistical terms we walked over the main East Coast railway line and ran across the A19 (which luckily had a central reservation) but it's not the most memorable part of our journey. The weather. however, has been wonderful - Sun Factor 30 sun cream just was not powerful enough. It was the only real time I have worn my hat and that was to keep the sun off. For those of you who have continued to read (a) I hope its not too boring and (b) here are some photos of the day
The crossing of the east coast main line at the old Danby Wiske station (closed in 1958 btw but still has a sign up !) coincided with the Virgin "Evening Scotsman" train (I know this because it says it on the front) for those in the transporting fraternity:
After this it was a case of wandering from farm to farm. I have to say oil seed rape hurts when you walk through it - its at least 4 foot tall and is tough as old boots. Wheat by comparison is lovely. To show you how bad the weather was today in East Yorkshire I took the following because it was reported that there were 7,000+ lightning strikes in the South East yesterday (no, I too do not know how they counted them):
Yes I am developing a tee shirt tan: not something I expected on the coast to coast: Julia Bradbury only talked of rain in her book (which having read it, I wouldn't buy). Andrea kindly took this near a place called Sydal Lodge. Although I am in red again, I can assure you it was fresh on today - I have 5 of them
So we arrived at the Bell in Ingleby Cross in plenty of time and sat next to the Belgium's (who, for once, we had not seen all day). After soup and pint and the realisation that Ingleby Cross is not into cake or desserts, the Belgium's said they were going to climb Beacon Hill (229m). I thought this was a brilliant idea but rather than do it anti-clockwise we would go through the woods in clockwise direction. How was I to know that they had been chopping trees, and how was I to know that they leave all the small branches and rubbish behind. Once we got proper into the wood (on what I thought was a path) it was like an assault course - cut legs, boggy areas, a certain amount (lots) of cursing from one of the party. But we made it through the whole wood. And if you do get to the top of the Cleveland Hills this is the view towards Middlesborough - I know it is hard to tell but you can see the sea ! Our first glimpse of the North Sea.
But if you do make it to the top of the Cleveland Hills, what is this place all about - a microwave communication centre ? And why is most of it in pink ?
This walk does surprise us. 4 days left and less than 50 miles to go.
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