Day 14 - Thursday 14 June 2012
Blakey Ridge to Grosmont (13.4 miles)
Our penultimate day and we awoke to an overcast and dreary day weather wise. Michael very kindly dropped us off at the Lion Inn and we joined what seemed like a procession of walkers leaving at exactly the same time. Not all were Coast to Coasters but amongst them were the 2 Australian ladies we recognised from early on in the walk on one of the Lake District sections.
The road leaving the Lion Inn is very exposed and the wind was quite fresh in our faces as we turned right off the main road heading towards Trough House. We passed the 2 Australian ladies just before Fat Betty. For those unfamiliar with Fat Betty, she is a short, squat White Cross boundary stone that sits just off the side of the road and it is tradition to leave a food offering and take one at the same time. We left a cereal bar and took an opal fruit and on we went.
The road leaving the Lion Inn is very exposed and the wind was quite fresh in our faces as we turned right off the main road heading towards Trough House. We passed the 2 Australian ladies just before Fat Betty. For those unfamiliar with Fat Betty, she is a short, squat White Cross boundary stone that sits just off the side of the road and it is tradition to leave a food offering and take one at the same time. We left a cereal bar and took an opal fruit and on we went.
Trough House
After Fat Betty the route makes its way over Glaisdale High Moor, passing a shooting lodge called Trough House. On this part of the route, despite it being overcast we had superb views over Great Fryup Dale and the going was very good underfoot. We reached a road just past a boundary stone and made our way up this road to the path which was marked by a Trig Point and it was here that the weather started to improve and we had sun with light breezes for the rest of the day.
Great Fryup Dale
Reaching Glaisdale, we made our way through the village and met the Dutch couple we first saw at Catterick Bridge. They shouted out Happy Birthday – we were not sure who told them it was Dave’s birthday tomorrow but we found this a characteristic of the walk – people talk about other walkers who are on the route when they meet each other. We passed the Arncliffe Arms where we avoided the temptation to visit the cafe and made our way down to Beggars Bridge.
We were at this very spot last year and what greeted us this time was a myriad of construction in and around the railway station. It was hard to get your bearings there was that much going on. We left Glaisdale behind and entered the beautiful East Arncliffe Wood which is a really lovely part of the walk and is over much too quickly. After a short piece of road walking we arrived in Egton Bridge where we turned right and walked through the old toll road at Egton Estates.
We were at this very spot last year and what greeted us this time was a myriad of construction in and around the railway station. It was hard to get your bearings there was that much going on. We left Glaisdale behind and entered the beautiful East Arncliffe Wood which is a really lovely part of the walk and is over much too quickly. After a short piece of road walking we arrived in Egton Bridge where we turned right and walked through the old toll road at Egton Estates.
Beggar's Bridge
Des Res at Egton Bridge
Arriving in Grosmont just before 1400, we sat on the station platform and watched the hustle and bustle of the steam trains passing in and out of the station. We then called in at the Station Inn for a quick drink and then made our way to our B&B up the hill at Lisvane. Suitably showered and changed and based on our initial impression of the Station Inn earlier, we walked the mile and a half back to Egton Bridge where we enjoyed a superb meal at The Postgate Inn. We both really enjoyed today and it was great to be back in Grosmont.
Overnight Accommodation
Lisvane Guest House, Grosmont - www.lisvane.me.uk
Just up the hill from The Station Inn, this was an average B&B with no frills. Does exactly what it says on the tin.
Just up the hill from The Station Inn, this was an average B&B with no frills. Does exactly what it says on the tin.
Day 14 Data
Mileage
Cumulative mileage Time Cumulative Time Maximum Ascent Total Ascent Cumulative Ascent |
13.4 miles
176.1 miles 4 hrs 49 min 79 hrs 36 min 1407 feet 1053 feet 33740 feet |