Great Broughton to Blakey Ridge

First I have to tell you we found out last night that we had climbed 3800 feet UP yesterday and that does not count the DOWN parts, which were worse!  If you really want a laugh, you should see us walk after we've been sitting awhile.  The first few days we all looked like we were at a dude ranch suffering after our first rides.

The pictures have come through now, so here are a few more from yesterday.  Again, the photos really cannot capture the steepness of the ascents or descents:

See that path almost straight up the hill?  That was looking back at our last downhill.  One of 6 like this!

I think these will give you an idea of the steep drop off by the cliff at our side yesterday:

And this is where I almost lost it, alongside these massive rocks, known as the Wain Stones:

After that horrendously strenuous and death-defying day you can imagine how nice it was to see this sight and chat with Frank, a man who completely reinvented himself from an IT guy to this just this summer:

On to today.  We are definitely dwindling in number and we see very few people on the trails now. Yesterday Tara and I walked alone the whole day. Today we hooked up with Jonathon and Barry (the Gimp) and walked the whole day together. It was wonderful because we had to walk slowly to accommodate Jonathon and had time to really look at things, take pictures, tell jokes, groan, laugh and cajole.  Being able to go at a slower pace finally was a real treat and we still arrived at the Lion Inn by 1:45.  It was a much easier walk, mostly level once we climbed the first mountain.  Much of the trail followed what used to be a railway for the iron mines.  Our only concern was a sign toward the beginning warning of the danger of adders and sheep ticks!  I think it was just a ploy to keep walkers off the heather, but we carefully stayed on the path anyway. The thought of being bitten out there in no man's land with no cell phone reception was enough to keep us on the straight and narrow.

Finally found a sheep willing to stay close enough to get a good photo.

The views, had we been able to see them, were spectacular.  Most of the time we were on a ridge or bluff, with deep lush valleys on either side. Unfortunately it was very misty (English for foggy) all day with a touch of drizzle at the very end.

Can you imagine this in the Spring when all the heather is in bloom?

There were lots of grouse and pheasants along the way and I spent quite a bit of time trying to capture the grouse's funny vocalizations.  Of course, they would talk the minute I shut off the video. I have on tape lots of encouraging words and human imitations though.  I don't know if this will work, but here goes:

Anyone able to identify this structure?  There were many in a long line.

Our friends from Georgia got itchy feet this morning, left early and arrived at the Lion's Inn two hours before us. They don't mess around.  There's no way we can keep up with them.  If we didn't have overnight stays we'd never see them.

Jayel? and Jerry from Atlanta

Meeting people like this has been a highlight of this trip for sure. I've been thinking how this trek is somewhat like what the early pioneers must have experienced coming to the west in covered wagons, traveling at different speeds, meeting different people, swapping stories and experiences.  The stories are filled in like an oil canvas, parts added, embellished and corrected as we travel from one B&B to another. There is a natural bonding that happens.  Very sweet.  Very special.

Now we are staying in the Ritz, after a pretty funky experience in the Wainstones Hotel.  The staff was fantastic there, but the hotel was old, our toilet wouldn't flush nor the sink drain.  It was also HOT, primarily because we doofusses didn't think to turn off the radiator! Who knows radiator, anyway?!?!

The Lion Inn is in the middle of nowhere on a bluff, an ancient wayfarer's inn dating to the early 16th century, with low wood-beamed ceilings and thick stone walls.  We, however, are in a new addition (and VERY happy for it):

• If there is anyone out there who can explain to me why my phone will not sync all the photos to my Chromebook, but arbitrarily leaves some out, I'd be eternally grateful.
• Yet another correction: the name of the designer of the wallpaper in the Mount Grace Priory is William Morris.  Apparently he is very well known in some circles (obviously not mine) and I offer my sincere apologies once again.  I am learning SOOOO much. Speaking of which, the proper pronunciation of cylamen, is sick-le-men, the accent being on the first syl - lab - ble.

Looking forward to a delicious dinner, for which they are amazingly famous here, preceded by a hot bath. Life is good.  Hope the same is true for you all.  Love, Mary