Day 8 - Saturday 18 June 2016
Reeth to Richmond (11.8 miles)
A shortish & relatively flat day today of just under 12 miles. We had not seen the sun for a few days but today was the day it would return - for a few hours at least anyway. We had Breakfast with David & Rachel and after getting our things together bade them farewell - they were off to Scotland to visit Angie's sister. As we made our way over the large village green in Reeth we saw Team HF disembarking from their minibus. They too were off to Richmond and we would see them off and on for most of today.
The walk out of Reeth was very pleasant and followed a gravel path between fields to reach the impressive bridge at Grinton. With Fudge having entered the Swale for his customary dip, the route then headed along a delightful stretch of the river to cross a lane. There was now another delightful section of walking over lush farmland with Fremington Edge on our left hand side. Eventually after crossing several fields we eventually arrived at Marrick Priory. The Priory is a former Benedictine Nunnery which was established between 1140 & 1160 - it is now an outdoor education & residential centre.
The walk out of Reeth was very pleasant and followed a gravel path between fields to reach the impressive bridge at Grinton. With Fudge having entered the Swale for his customary dip, the route then headed along a delightful stretch of the river to cross a lane. There was now another delightful section of walking over lush farmland with Fremington Edge on our left hand side. Eventually after crossing several fields we eventually arrived at Marrick Priory. The Priory is a former Benedictine Nunnery which was established between 1140 & 1160 - it is now an outdoor education & residential centre.
Saying goodbye to Angie's brother David and his wife Rachel
The village green in Reeth - Team HF are to the left preparing for the off with their customary Haka
Reeth War Memorial
Expecting a bit of trouble in Reeth are we?
Heading to Grinton
Grinton Bridge
Looking to Fremington Edge
Fudge cooling off in the River Swale
This wall gap was a bit of a challenge!
Heading for Marrick Priory
Looking back towards Reeth
We now headed to the small village of Marrick via the Nuns Steps - a rising flagged stone path through Steps Wood which is thought to have been a link for the Nuns to access the road to Richmond. The route zigzags through Marrick and we caught up with the HF Group near Elaine's Country Kitchen - a cafe located at Nun Cote Nook Farm on the edge of the village. It would have been churlish not to stop and sample their fare therefore we trooped in behind the group for tea and cake.
Heading to the Nuns Steps from Marrick Priory
The sign to Marske from near the top of the Nuns Steps
The HF group near Marrick
Good to see this place open - it was closed for the day when we passed through here in 2012
One of the HF Group couldn't resist pratting about on the Cafe's trampoline
"Fuelling" at Elaine's Country Kitchen
Fudge was not too impressed with the lack of cream on offer for him
Leaving Elaine's we then headed through farmland to pass Ellers Farm to then transit over more fields to reach a road which descended steeply into the village of Marske. In 2012 there was a very good cafe here but there was no sign of it anymore, however there were refreshments available in the church. From Marske there was about half a mile or so of road walking and as we turned the final bend before the stile who should we meet but Howard - we had met him on Day 1 near Sandwith. He was walking the Coast to Coast from East to West with a friend of his and we were right in thinking at the time that today would be the day we bumped into him and so it proved. After a brief chat with them both we wished them well and pressed on.
Chilled sheep near Marske
Arriving at the lovely village of Marske
Stuffed with cake from Elaine's we gave it a miss - still it was good to see these little places on the route
Howard (left) & his friend who were doing Coast to Coast east to west - we met him on Day 1 at St Bees
The route left the road to the right to head over fields - first crossing Paddy's Bridge before a short pull up to the large white cairn on Applegarth Scar. At the top of the rise we joined a good track which we left at West Applegarth Farm to cross a couple of fields. To leave the second field we had to go through a gate - the only trouble was that it was blocked by a group of cows. Not wishing or wanting to disturb them we headed higher up the field to a wall gap and dropped down to the other side of the gate.
Crossing Paddy's Bridge which leads to Applegarth Scar
The White Cairn on Applegarth Scar
A Bovine gathering near Whitcliffe Wood - they were blocking the path and gathered by the gate. We just went up higher to the left and passed by them without incident thankfully although to be fair they were pretty placid
More farms were then passed to eventually reach another track which led to a gate into Whitecliffe Wood. This path was muddy at first but soon became tarmac and on passing High Leases Farm we arrived at the sign for Richmond and with it a murky view of the fine Norman Keep at Richmond Castle. The tarmac continued to become a road and there was the option to drop into a field which ran parallel but the road was so quiet we simply remained on it all the way into Richmond.
Not far now Fudgie my boy
For those who may be "arrow blind"
A bit of Fudgie photo bombing near Richmond
On a clear day maybe there is............
...... it wasn't too bad today - just a tad murky.
We arrived in the main square in Richmond just after 3 o'clock and the various traders were just packing up as it was a Market Day. After topping up with supplies we sat in the square for a while and had a chat with Bob & Ellen who had arrived a bit earlier than we had. They were going straight through to Ingleby tomorrow therefore our paths would not cross again unfortunately - we wished them well for the remainder of the walk.
Entering Richmond - Fudge knows the way
Richmond's castle ramparts and the River Swale
Lots of Marquees and stuff going on at Richmond Castle
Our B&B at Holly Hill was a mile or so outside the town but was just off route. When we arrived at the pub the landlady was outside having a "bit of a chat" with the "Drunk in Residence" - we sat in the Beer Garden until the police arrived and carted him off. Now that we had her attention she was able to check us in and we hoped that the remainder of our stay would be quieter than the start of it! Luckily our room was excellent and after a very pleasant meal in their restaurant we turned in.
Overnight Accommodation
The Holly Hill Inn - www.holly-hill-inn.co.uk
Despite our inauspicious start this was a really nice pub. Our room was large & comfortable and the food and beer were very good. A liitle off route but not too far.
Despite our inauspicious start this was a really nice pub. Our room was large & comfortable and the food and beer were very good. A liitle off route but not too far.
Day 8 Data
Mileage
Cumulative Mileage
Time
Cumulative Time
Maximum Ascent
Total Ascent
Cumulative Ascent
Cumulative Mileage
Time
Cumulative Time
Maximum Ascent
Total Ascent
Cumulative Ascent
11.8 miles
119.6 miles
5 hrs 49 min
57 hrs 11 min
1049 feet
1049 feet
26439 feet
119.6 miles
5 hrs 49 min
57 hrs 11 min
1049 feet
1049 feet
26439 feet