Day 18 (16) Pennine Way - Windy Gyle to Kirk Yetholm

Day 18 and the PW finally had a kick in the tail with a windy and wet day. Not really bad but it had its moments. About 50 minutes back to Windy Gyle from the drop off point at Trows Farm. Cloud level very much reduced the visibility compared to yesterday. When I reached the decision point to go up to Cheviot summit it was raining hard and the summit was obscured. Carried on round and down to the Mountain refuge hut lunch. The clouds cleared by the time we reached the top of the Schil but the wind was still strong. Stunning views from the top before the descent into Kirk Yetholm and my free 1/2 pint, certificate and a wee glass of 🥃Macallan 😉. Mrs Sheard being the angel she is has driven up to meet me and we have a nice dinner and hotel booked on route home. 18 days wandering in the garden of Eden. Very blessed and grateful.

Day 17 (15) Byrness to Windy Gyle

 Pennine Way Day 17 (15) Byrness to Windy Gyle - 16 miles 

Fairly relaxed start to the day and 6 of us heading off from the Forest View inn up to Windy Gyle. More beautiful scenery and the weather continues to be amazing helping not just the clear views but very little bog to worry about. We had all pretty much arrived at Windy Gyle by 3:45 and it is about another 45-60 mins hour to the rendezvous pick point about 2.5 miles down the track for 5pm. Minivan pulled in just as we arrived at the appointed “what-three-words” location. Perfect timing balancing enjoying the views with not getting left behind. One more push to Kirk Yetholm with about another 16 miles to go.

Day 16 (14) Bellingham to Byrness

 Pennine Way Day 16 (14) Bellingham to Byrness

A pleasant day with good views all way back to Cross Fell range in the South and North to the Cheviots and my next 2 days. Arrived in Byrness at Walkers Inn just as they unlocked at 4pm. Already very impressed with their service cup of tea , local draft beers and menu choices for dinner. Staying 2 nights here and they do a pick up and drop off to bridge to Kirk Yetholm. 240 miles complete and 30 ish to go over the last 2 days.

Day 15 (13b) Winshields Campsite to Bellingham

 Pennine Way Day 15 (13b) Winshields Campsite to Bellingham. Just short of 16 miles to the Campsite but another mile into Bellingham for supplies and rehydration😉

An amazing family friend helped out with a full wash of all my sweaty walking gear and delivered it back this morning with 2 bacon 🥓 rolls, and a packed lunch including a homemade Lemon drizzle that will see my over the finish line. (Thank you Leah ❤️). Captured the trig at Winshields Crag again on my way past. Pleasant up and downs along the wall. Saw Sycamore Gap with a real gap😢. The route then heads North East through the south Kielder Forest. A fairly easy day with more stunning views. Can’t quite believe we are getting such good weather but I think it might break before I finish in Kirk Yetholm on Saturday. Rachel is coming up to meet for the long drive home on Sunday.

Day 14 (13a) Greenhead to Windshields Campsite. (Rest day)

I have broken up day 13 from the guide to give me a shorter rest day and a chance to try the Twice Brewed pub offerings for research purposes. Beautiful walk along the Hadrians Wall taking in the Winshield trig for a lunch before stopping at the Campsite. Beat my luggage today but had a brew in the campsite reception. It has been a glorious day and glad to have some shade for the afternoon to rest. 💤

Day 13 (12) Alston (Cumbria) to Greenhead (Northumberland) - 17 miles

Described in the guide books  as a dull day compared to the hike up Cross fell or Hadrians Wall sections. Personally I loved it.  A great day largely on green pastures filled with lambs and spring flowers and quite a few viaducts on the Newcastle to Carlisle Railway.

Day 12 (11) Dufton to Alston

 Pennine Way Day 12 (11) Dufton to Alston 20 miles - Longest hike to the highest point in England and the PW. Also the windiest and coldest place officially.  Blessed with stunning views as the clouds lifted just as I got to the Cross Fell summit. The descent to Greg’s Hut a well known Bothie and shelter was great. The next section from Greg’s Hut to Garrigill is 6 miles of chunky rock/gravel road called the Corpse road that was really hard work. Glad to reach Alston YHA and a hot meal. My walking companion for most of the day was Graham an amazingly sprightly 80 year old who is rewalking the Pennine Way 45 years after he last did it.

Day 11 (10) complete. Middleton in Teasdale (County Durham) to Dufton (Cumbria).

 Day 11 (10) complete. Middleton in Teasdale (County Durham) to Dufton (Cumbria). 21.5 miles. Walked west all day but stunning scenery. Longest day so far! Absolutely amazing all day Low Force, High Force and Cauldron Snout 🐽 waterfalls and the most amazing High Cup before a long slow descent into Dufton campsite and Stag Inn for tea.

Day 10 (9) Tan Hill to Middleton on Tees

 Pennine Way Day 10 (9) Tan Hill to Middleton on Tees 17 miles- Best breakfast so far at Tan Hill. Big Bertha and Betty Boo reunited piggy bag style. Very fortunate with the weather and how dry it was on the Moors. AW says that the descent from Tan Hill on Bowes Moor is like walking on Porridge or Oxtail soup if it is wet. No dramas but more spectacular scenery and I met the wonderful Angela at Clove Lodge Barn as she was restocking her amazing barn of snacks and drinks for weary PW walkers. Her barn and Baldersdale marks the half way point. So I celebrated with one of her Tunnock Tea Cakes and a Caramel Wafer as well as 2 Jelly Babies. Last day in theory carrying Big Bertha. Luggage forwarding all the way to Scotland.

Day 9 (8) Hawes to Tan Hill

 Day 9 (8) Hawes to Tan Hill - 17 miles. Best stretch yet over Great Shunner Fell and down into Thwaite skirting the edge of Kisdon hill and enjoying Swaledale. I imagined I could hear the theme tune of All Creatures Great and small in my ears and expected to bump into James Herriot at every barn. An emotional day too as the route connected with a route my brother and I took with our dear Dad on the Herriot Way (a mere 4 days and 52 miles ish!). It rekindled many happy memories.

Some beautiful spring flowers including an Orchid too. In case you can’t tell I am in love with the Yorkshire Dales.

Sorry photos refused to upload

Day 8 Rest Day in Hawes

 Day 8 Rest day in Hawes. Excellent Wensleydale breakfast at the YHA.  Booked a luggage forwarding service for my pack for most of the rest of the route and bought a day pack. Then relaxed learning about cheese, Wallace and Gromit and visited the Dales Museum. Cash machine in Hawes near the Chippie and Public loos. (Charge for withdrawals though!). I did one little 1/2 miles stretch on the PW too😉

I paused at the church  for a bit of prayer and contemplation. Doing the PW is a Spiritual journey as well as a Physical challenge. Reconnecting with our creator and listening to what he is saying is part of my daily life.

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Day 7 Horton in Ribblesdale to Hawes

 Pennine Way Day 7 - Horton in Ribblesdale to Hawes. Another hot day but blessed again with amazing views. Celebrated completing 100 miles with a wine gum 🤣 and later with Fish and Chips and deep fried battered Wensleydale Cheese. Rest day in Hawes tomorrow 😅

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Day 6 Malham to Horton in Ribblesdale

 Day 6 Pennine Way Complete. Malham to Horton in Ribblesdale. Met up with my little brother and Lola the Sprocker at the top of Malham Cove and he walked with me till lunch before returning to his car and meeting me at Horton in Ribblesdale for dinner. ❤️

Photos and more details to follow when I have internet  

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Day 5 Ickornshaw to Malham

Day 5 complete. Ickornshaw to Malham. More fantastic scenery and rejoicing in the wonders of God’s creation. A spectacular day but boy it was hot. The views from the top of Pinhaw Beacon were stunning and the canal stretch and the path along the Aire were fab too. Malham YHA and dinner at the Buck Inn. Been rammed in Malham today.

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Day 4 Hebden Bridge to Ickornshaw

Spectacular scenery. Day 4 complete. Another long day especially in the heat although there was a good breeze. Stopped to chat to a group of ladies doing a training walk for their own spiritual adventure walking a Camino trail. Very glad to reach my campsite and got upgraded to the summer house as the neighbours are having a noisy party next to the campsite.

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Day 3 Diggle to Hebden Bridge

Truly blessed to see this part of the country in all its glory in good weather. It can be pretty treacherous in cold or wet weather but I had glorious sunshine with just enough of a breeze to make the temperatures manageable. 

Some amazing views and a beautiful approach into Hebden Bridge along the canal to my Bed and Breakfast for the night  

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More description to follow