Sorry but no WiFi here at the farm so less pictures I'm afraid.
Leaving Reeth we were beginning to leave the hills behind but Swaledale is beautiful.
We passed by Marrick Priory, an old home of Benedictine nuns until Henry VIII got his claws into it and closed it down. Our route today was slightly easier even with a steep ascent up the "Nun's Stairs" stone slabs placed in a wood to allow the nuns to get to the hamlet of Marrick.
Wainwright totalled the steps as 375 , we have no reason to doubt him and we weren't going to count them. Today the weather has been perfect for walking with sun most the time so we stopped for a cool down near Marske a little further on from Marrick.
Marrick is very quiet and deserted. Passing by a converted chaple and a converted church, it was hard not to wonder about it's former religious history. After all these day of walking you would think going up hill would become easier but even the relatively gentle climb up to Applegarth Scar seemed tough but at least rewarded us with a fine view of the valley for our efforts.
At a stile just before Applegarth Scar.
After leaving a forest we got a fine view overlooking the town of Richmond, by far the largest settlement on the coast 2 coast, with it's dramatically positioned castle sitting above the banks of the River Swale with terracotta and slate roofs backed by the distant Cleveland Hills. The foot of which is tomorrows destination.
As we reacquaint ourselves with urban etiquette we see this welcoming sign
We walked through the marketplace taking the opportunity to replemish a few supplies.
A last look back at Richmond!
Many C2C walkers stop at Richmond and many take a rest day. We on the other hand have got used to the quiet and didn't want to mingel with the crowds. So we left the bustling roads and paths which teemed with people and carried on for 3 miles to St Giles farm, where we had a lovely greeting from Jane and Simon, the farms owners. This also reduces the long flat walk that awaits us tommorrow to just 21 miles.
Injury Update ; Jane's knee seems fine now but is suffering from a painfull shin, while Kirsty's knee is a more serious threat, she is suffering and we stopped at Boots in Richmond to get some support, freeze spray and Voltarol on the reccommendation of Nurse Debs. I seem to be getting away with any problems to date. I am very proud how Kirsty and Jane have soldiered on and it is amazing how positive Kirsty remains while she can hardly walk down hill, she made light of using two sticks but remarking " forget blisters on the feet I am going to need compeeds on my hands!"
We had another donation from an Australian couple Wendy and Kevin this morning. The people we have met while walking have been wonderful and we thank eveyone for their donations.
Thank you for everyone's comments and please keep them coming.
You are all doing so well, but shame about the leg injuries, well done Kirsty for continuing to battle on through regardless. It seems like you are all keeping your spirits up despite the pain and discomfort and that is to be applauded. This is a fantastic blog, I look forward to reading each instalment. Enjoy your evening and Good Luck for tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteA perfect day for a long walk; not too warm and no rain. Good idea with the freeze spray to reduce swelling on the knees, well done to the ladies for continuing to walk on! The sense of achievement at the end will be wonderful. Enjoy the rest ready for tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteAw, Kirsty - hope that knee starts to get better soon. RICE whenever you can ( Rest/Ice/Compression/Elevation). Knees are so complex and are a nightmare when they hurt. Down hill especially tough. Try to "zig zag" when you can, so you aren't walking with your feet pointing down hill and putting pressure through the knee. Use your poles correctly - you need to have them at a height where if you hold your arms at right angles, level with your waist, that's where the pole comes to. Walk like a dog with them - right arm followed by left leg followed by right leg left arm - in other words, your poles give you two extra legs to take the pressure of your kneed. Lenfthen the poles when ou go down hill and tack in a zig zag (when there is room) across the slope from right to left to lessen the angle of the gradient. Hang on in there, not far to go now....xxxx
ReplyDeleteHi all, We did a joint effort very long, then lost it when we went to publish, too late to do it all again, so best of luck with tomorrow section hope the knee and shin hold up and are not too painful. Will do another comment tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to have "messed-up" this evening, we've been out helping with "House make-over" for Ayj [It's a surprise for Tim!], and we're alittle tired as it's been a second day on the project!.
So, hope the legs improve with some rest. Sleep well.
L2AU =:-)
x x x
Good morning SJ&K,
ReplyDeleteHope the bodies have enjoyed a good nights rest. Our comment last night was from both of us, M first then me !
Hope you don't mind me adding a little more advice,Kirsty, to go with that from Debs! I found that to sleep in the "recovery position" with my "problem knee" slightly bent and supported by a pillow, was very restful. Lie on the bed with your strong leg on the bedside,and straight, then place the pillow by the side of it around the hip area, then place the aching knee ontop of the pillow.You may need a second pillow under your lower part of your leg, as this will keep the leg level and takes any pressure off the joint.
Also when you're "resting", sit with your problem knee with a "cushion" under it so it's in a slightly raised position. It's the best position for the leg. The "cushion" can anything from your rucksack, or a coat rolled up. Just help the joint, at EVERY opportunity. Hope that all helps!
Well all the very best for the day, thanks for the updates. I'm sure everyone that has been following will agree, they've become part of our days! Yesturdays was fine with the photos you managed to pop onto the blog, Steve, with or without WiFi you've managed to get the "news" out. So well done.
May today be aless painful one for you girls. Just take your time, and remember, with each step, you're one closer to your goal.
Take care, enjoy the scenery and hope the weather holds for you all.
L2UA x x x
A & M (who is still resting the eyelids!)
PS =:-)
ReplyDeleteGirls, what happened to the "funny faces" in the photo that was taken yesterday, of the shop sign, "West End Stores"? The girls where "just" standing there!!!! Come on girls, whilst he's not looking!!!
I bet you guys have set up the pace for this walk, and all the other walkers are trying to "keep up with the Jones". Have you seen or heard any news of them since you started out? Mind you, you are doing the walk in 13 days, the shortest in the starting group, so they must have all be left behind by now!!
TTFN x x x
=:-)
Thanks for the advice and support. We have lost all but two groups of walkers who started the same day as us we have also passed other groups. Some people do this over19 days. One couple out of the two still keeping up with us are taking the bus today and also took a bus earlier after getting lost. Love S.,J & K
ReplyDeleteWe are walking this on our own and at a fairly short time schedule but meet up with many super people who are doing the walk. Just wanted to point this out so no one got the wrong impression.
ReplyDeletegood morning, I know you wont read this until after you are bathed, fed and rested, but after our silly mistake last night I was sure Andy had been up at the crack of dawn and made a comment and so he did, M still resting her eyelids< the cheek of the man. Hope everything has gone well today and Kirsty has taken on board the advice to rest the knee as much as possible. Bye to the 3 Musketeers. M xxxxx
ReplyDeleteevery step is a step closer to a cure,hope all the advice is helping with the knees and legs K n J.Wonderful pics yet again Steve,how do you all keep smiling.Look forward to reading your next blog,stay strong love you all xxxx Lyn
ReplyDeleteBUS!!!! How did this get into the conversation!??? Sorry J&K, you know he's too good with a map and compass, so you won't ever get to use the bus!! Bet the thought of getting lost makes your knees ache!
ReplyDeleteHere we are "hovering" over the laptops, darting in & out of the blog pages and wondering who'll be the first to read and comment on todays blog!!!! I never thought I'd get this "competitive"!!!
Hope your day has been without incident, and the weather held for the whole day.
L2UA x x x =:-)
PS Mason's missing you all terribly!!