Day 15 - Danby Wiske to Osmotherley

Robin Hood's Bay, our final destination, was 60 miles away this morning but now only 48 miles away.  Today we walked 20 kms  - just a short walk! This part of the country is not the most exciting scenery but nevertheless, it is flat and quicker to traverse, but still hard on the feet.                                

          

Before we left Danby Wiske this morning we visited the local church - the church with no name because it has never been dedicated.  There was beautiful natural light inside, very unusual for these old churches.

We met one of the locals who was cleaning the church.  He explained to us the meaning of Danby Wiske.  Danby means Danish and Wiske is water - so the Danes by the Water.  As we walked over the bridge over the Wiske River, Allan offered to whisk me away.  What could this mean? Is he planning to take me over the waters or was he thinking of throwing me in?

We had some hazardous crossings today.  Firstly the railway line - 3 trains came along while we were approaching or leaving the line.  Secondly the A19 -  fortunately there was a median strip to help us navigate the traffic.  We still haven't worked out if there is a speed limit on the freeways, the drivers fly along.   We settled ourselves with lunch  on the grass at a service station before attempting our crossing. Our guide book said, 'Be patient and take extreme care crossing'.  Then we dashed across!  And thirdly the A167  - which was easier with less traffic.

You've heard of bush bashing, well we crop bashed!  We walked through fields full of shoulder height   growth, not sure what the crop was, maybe very tall canola,   but it was a new experience.

 That's our pathway through the crop 

And that's the gap in the hedge we needed to find to enter the next field. 

This is where Allan baled Joan up and made hay while the sun shone.

Some of the farms are very helpful towards Coast to Coasters,  they leave food and refreshments in  an esky or a fridge.  It works on an honesty system, you just leave a donation.  As we were leaving one such farm we had to cross another stile which had some interesting decorations.

That's  a rat and two owls.

Ammie got the biggest shock of her day when the rat moved!   

We've had the Cleveland Hills in sight all day  and have now  joined the Cleveland Way,  passing through some lovely little villages, including Ingleby Cross and Ingleby Arncliffe.

The Cleveland Hills  in the distance

It was a shame that the day was hazy as we  looked back over the Vale of Mowbray to ponder again  where we have walked. Glad to be finished with flat, hard roads but so glad we have passed this way. 

Our biggest challenge today was the climb  up the Cleveland Hills. From there we deviated to Osmotherley, 20 minutes off the Coast to Coast trail.  I would say this is my favourite village that  we have stayed in.  It reminds me of the Cotswolds with the honey-coloured stone terraced cottages and gorgeous English country gardens.  John Wesley is believed to have preached here. We stayed in The Golden Lion and didn't have to go out for dinner, Yeh! 

And what a magnificent meal we had.  Definitely 5 star quality! 

Allan's motto over the last two days has been - Thy rod and staff they comfort me!  As he has walked he has suffered with a badly bruised heel which has made walking very difficult.  He has found his walking poles have helped him enormously and has named them.  One is called Rod and the other is Staff.