Day 12 - Coast to Coast - Ingleby Cross to Blakey Ridge

Walking on Sunshine

Another 20 mile day yet we departed with a spring in our steps, climbing up to the North Yorkshire moors, viewing flat plans to the Pennines behind us and Teeside and moors ahead.

Rather like walking the south west coast path with plains instead of the sea to keep our interest.

It was along this stretch we caught our first sight of the North Sea off "beautiful" Redcar!

There is some doubt whether we can award Liz her ornithology badge. Yesterday she said "I am so over curlews" yet today failed to recognise the call and sight of one flying right across her path. Moreover she thought red grouse was guinea fowl.

Gill caught sight of a bird of prey we have yet to identify. Possibly a merlin or hobby.

Seeing double - another mature moment

And then the hail showers started to come in and it was back to full waterproofs and rapidly changing weather conditions. We all felt good on arrival at the Lion Inn in Blakey, a warm comfortable pub in the middle nowhere. And crashed. After 45 miles in two days the fatigue is setting in.

What's more we awoke this morning to a light smattering of snow and decided on a leisurely breakfast and a later start than normal. To be continued.

Thank you everybody for your comments and support and Annie and James for their advice. Liz's blister is getting better.