We slept well and were rudely awakened by the radio of the alarm clock blasting out at 7:15pm! We packed and then went for breakfast' The woman at the B&B would take us back up the lane we came down the evening before and save us a mile and half of walking. We paid our bill (£50) and were rapidly transported through Great Broughton and out the other side. The climb up the muddy path through the woods was easier than we were anticipated and at 9:00am we were back on the path to the west of the Wainstones. The weather was similar to the day before - cloudy with a cool north easterly wind but the forecast was for it remain dry. Our fellow B&Bers were being transported to Clay Bank Top after 9:00am and would undoubtedly overtake us sooner or later as 3 (father and two sons) were doing the Cleveland Way in reverse and the other 2 (Claire and her brother) were heading for Danby Wiske. We soon met our first walker, not a coast to coaster but a man from Northallerton out recceing a walk he was leading at the weekend. We then passed to young men who had camped near the Lord Stones and by 10:38am we ourselves were ordering coffee and toasted tea cakes. Claire and her brother arrived shortly afterwards and left again. We bought rolls to take with us for lunch and by the time we left the cafe the father and two sons were sitting outside. They left shortly after us and overtook us on the climb up to Carlton Moor. A constant stream of coast to coasters now passed us. There were probably around 30 in all including a large group of 10 or so who I believe were American. By about 12:30pm the last of the stream had gone. Two local men who often walked this section were sat by the path having their lunch. They commented that they normally had it to themselves and had never seen so many walkers as today! We continued across Live Moor and dropped down into the valley beyond where we stopped for lunch by a gate. The sun broke through and it whilst it shone it was really hot. Then after lunch a final climb up through the forest and passed the radio relay station above Ingleby Cross. A little further on from here the forest had been cleared and there was now an unexpected view over the vale beyond. The roar of the A19 below was now ever present. All day we had been on the Cleveland Way but as we dropped down through the forest it continued on towards Osmotherly as we turned back on ourselves down to Ingleby Cross. Great stacks of logs from the tree felling lined the path. Crossing the A172 (good practice for tomorrow!) we passed the Bluebell Inn and walked to the other end of the village where we found our B&B for the night. The opportunity for a luxurious bath awaited us. Then down to the Bluebell for a meal and back to bed. Gemma slept soon after 9:30pm while I wrote my journal.

<<Back  Next>>