WE HAVE DONE IT !

After a great night staying at a farmhouse ran by Ann and Tony Richardson – a really nice couple that made us feel more than welcome we set off on Day 12

Charlie Walduck

and the final day of the Coast to Coast Challenge, would we make it to the end with just 19 miles to go? Would our tired feet hold out? We set off from Glaisdale with such excitement, trepidation and a smidge of disappointment that it would soon be all over. We had stayed at 12 different places and met some great new friends. With some great weather for the last day we started off and 9am with a trek through the woods - there we quite a few of us out today and we could sense the excitement in the air. We then went to Grosmont station where we saw quite a few people wearing anoraks – where they there for the walk? No there was a desial engine for us to feast our eyes on although I was more interested in feasting my eyes on the cakes in the village shop! At Grosmont we were we met with a fairly steep climb to the top of the hill. Wainwright was certainly not going let us have an easy time on the last day. To be honest although it was very steep it was at least on tarmac and there was no streams, rivers, bogs or rocks to hinder our path. At the top the hill we got a first glimpse of the sea and Whitby Abbey and a cold wind from the sea cooled us down fairly quickly. Seeing the sea was fantastic because it reminded us of what we had achieved. But we still had 14 miles to go and there was no time to indulge in sightseeing. We continued to weave our way through the North Yorkshire countryside before we stopped in a bush to for elevenses, Pam had again provided us with excellent fare and I enjoyed the Turkey and Stuffing sandwiches on offer. The hamlet of Littlebeck would be our next port of call (or this is how I remember it) through woods we went and soon a steepish climb rises to the Hermitage - a massive boulder with a room chiselled out of it. We then got a great view and a couple of pictures of Falling Foss which was well worth seeing. The walk continues across moorland and paths until we eventually reached the coastal path which would take us to the promised land of Robin Hoods Bay.

We arrived at Ronin Hoods Bay at 5pm - we celebrated by dipping our feet in the North Sea - 12 days after doing the same in the Irish Sea.  Well done to Brain, Mark, Chris and Graham - what an amazing achievement for us all. 

Thanks to Chris, Bev and Katie for sorting out the logistics of much of the walk and special thanks to Pam and Brain for organising everything on the ground.  Pam had to soemtimes wait for hours for us to return but always greeted us with a warm smile.  Brian was also great especially with me and certainly gave us spring chickens something to think about! 

Can I also say thanks to my best mate Mark who put up with my odd bouts of moaning and groaning - but was there for me throughout every one of those 192 miles - a true friend.

It's been an emotional journey and I will do a final blog tomorrow once I have completed (if I do) The Great North Run