Across the threshold . . .

Just carried my new bride across the threshold "Mistress Coverley" as Maureen & Rachael christened the picture. This was my present to Naomi on our Wedding Day, painted by Hayfield artist Dawn Holmes!
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The Wedding . . .

My bride looked beautiful and a cracking day was had by all! I think??

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Today's the Day . . .

I've just finished writing my speech - I had planned to do it bit by bit as we walked the PW. However I was too tired to think most nights. So like many of my chores, I've left it until the last moment. I will post some pictures during the course of the day as it unfolds!

A long final day . . .

Well the walkings over folks!! Due to Naomi's retirement (which she was absolutely gutted about) I decided to complete the walk today rather than in the morning. Todays distance was 26.5 miles with 4990 feet of ascent. Naomi, Robin, Laura & Sarah met me at the 2nd road crossing on Torside where I eventually abanoded the fell shoes (see 'weapons of mass destruction' post) and wore my old boots for the second half of the day! They plied me with chocolate and coffee and I set off for the finish. On the final descent into Edale I became quite emotional. The shear relief of not having to walk another step along the Pennine Way fueled these feelings. So some 4 and a bit hours after seeing the gang, I hobbled into Edale on a sunny and busy Saturday afternoon - I looked everywhere for the welcoming party - but to no avail. I celebrated quietly on my own with a bottle of Newcastle Brown and then headed off for the train station where I caught a train back to New Mills. Better get my speech prepared now!!

Dobcross . . .

Well here we are! 11 days after leaving KY I arrived at Standedge on my own! Naomi had to retire near to Hebden Bridge with a pulled muscle. I walked the next 18 miles alone but was met at the PW/ Marsden Road crossing for a lift down to Dobcross! We were entertained fantastically well by Maureen & Simon Wray! However, I have over indulged in the alcohol dept. Off to bed now as I've got a lift back up to PW at 8.00am - Just one more day - Hoping to arrive at Nags Head by 4.30pm! If you are there I'll buy you a pint!!!
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Wuthering Heights

No sign of Heathcliffe!
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Ponden House . . .

We have arrived at Ponden House (west of Haworth) 10 days after starting PW. The B&B leaflet states it's location to be 53 miles north of Edale & 220 miles south of Kirk Yetholm! Had a very steady start today including a long cafe stop after about 6 miles in Gargrave (see pic) Things started to get tougher after that and the daily mileage reached 24 upon reaching tonight's stopover. The easiest part of today's leg was the 3/4 mile stretch along Leeds-Liverpool canal (how bizarre for PW!) Early night because we have a long day tomorrow - Aiming to reach Standedge by 6.00pm - Hopefully to meet Maureen for a lift back to hers!
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Malham . . .

The Guest House (River House Hotel) at Malham was a fantastic place run by a lovely young couple. We arrived smelling like a combination of over ripe Camembert and the floor of our chicken coop. No more ado, they washed all our stuff and even offered to put my shoes in the airing cupboard!! Whoah! That would have been a big mistake so I declined that over generous offer! We both had a bath and then crashed out without food or alcohol! 29 miles, several million feet of ascent and 6 inches of rainfall in each pocket! Today we had completed a tough day of walking in the toughest of conditions. But we shouldn't blow our trumpet too much because "The weather is incidental to the outcome of the expidition"
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Hawes departure . . .

An image of Hawes taken just as we were leaving at 9.15am on Wednesday morning. The persistent rain had just started to fall!! We hardly spoke a word for next 14 miles until we got to the cafe in Horton in Ribblesdale! After an hour and half of waiting for weather to subside we pressed on up Penyghent. Up, over and down the other side we went, feet and legs sore everything else cold and wet and then up again over Fountains Fell also over 2200 feet. Then the weather eased and out of the cloud Malham Tarn appeared. We still had about 5 miles to do and this seemed to take forever! Even from Malaham Tarn it still took best part of an hour to reach the Guest House! The slippery gnarled limestone clints proved hard going for our tired feet clad only in flimsy soled fell shoes.
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Weather or not . . .

"The weather is incidental to the outcome of the expedition" I quote a school teacher earlier today when we had just told him where to find his missing D of E lads sheltering in an old barn.
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Day 8 - Bowes to Hawes

This blog may appear one day late due to lack of reception in Hawes. The day started with a 7.00am breakfast in the Ancient Unicorn to enable an early departure! By the time we'd faffed and fannied about we didn't actually leave until 8.15am. I didn't know at the time but Naomi was feeling good whilst I had a right downer on! Feet didn't feel good and by the time we'd got lost several times in first half mile of long wet grassy meadows I could only think about quitting there and then! Naomi kept me going though and we eventually got onto a farm track and picked up the pace which lifted my mood by the smallest amount. The track soon turned into wet moorland though and then the drizzle started. We resigned ourselves to walking in a straight line through whatever stood in our way - mainly water, muddy water!! All of this time we could see our 8 mile target on the horizon (The Tan Hill Inn) Eventually the rain ceased and we reached the Inn. We both changed our blister dressings and socks and then went inside for a coffee. Now whether it was a happy pill they slipped into our drinks I do not know, but the next 17 miles were a complete joy! Feet didn't hurt, miles flew by and every person we met on the way was a pleasure to converse with! We met a lovely couple from Morton-on-Marsh, Cotswolds who were doing there 2nd PW some 28 years after their 1st success. Their relaxed attitude left us in no doubt as to whether they would succeed again! Thank you for sharing your story! We had a short second tea shop stop in Thwaite before our ascent of Great Shunner Fell. We both found the ascent much easier than the long descent into Hawes! Dodgy B&B located in a Hawes Pub (not recommended) & slightly annoyed to find lots of better options available. Hey ho!! So we treated ourselves to a Fish & Chip supper and now in bed for 9.00pm.
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Weapons of Mass Destruction

These little buggers could wipe out a medium sized guest house population in one fell swoop!!
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Hello Bowes . . .

We have walked just 12 miles today to the small village of Bowes. This was a strategic move so that Naomi's dad could meet us to bring maps for 2nd half of route. He also took away with him some unnecessary items from our rucksacks including my new boots. What a prat I am expecting new boots to help!? He also, very kindly, drove us into nearby Castle Barnard to buy provisions for lunch tomorrow as it will be a tough day. It should be said that we spent twice as long in Boots the Chemist as we did in the supermarket, that tells a story! Tonight we are staying at a pub called 'The Ancient Unicorn' it might as well be the Marie Celeste. We were left a key to our room at 3.30pm and 3 hours later we still haven't seen a soul!?? I am thinking of opening the bar myself at about. 8.00pm. Ciao 4 now! x
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Goodbye Teesdale . . .

Late start this am. Waited for outdoor shop to open in order to purchase new footwear. Tried on several pairs of lightweight boots and binned my Innov8 fell shoes. Sent Naomi back to bin after 100 yards just in case! About 1 mile in the boots seem OK - don't hold year breath!!
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Songs of Praise . . .

Middleton in Teesdale B&B landlady now watching Songs of Praise with volume cranked right up in room next to ours . . . Cracking!!!
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Dufton to Middleton-in-Teesdale . . .

We set off today at 8.30am in glorious June sunshine. We drank in some amazing scenery on the way up to High Cup Nick. I seem to recall Hayfield's own Nick (Craig) fairing jolly well in the fell race here last year. We stopped to adjust medical dressings at 'The Nick' and then should have enjoyed the 18 miles of gentle descent into Middleton. Alas it was not to be. Aching limbs, blisters upon blisters, shin splints (possibly - or maybe just sore shins) and that was just the sheep!! Then to add insult to injury we hobbled the last 2 miles whilst getting wet in that very fine rain - the stuff that gets through to your underpants! So arriving at the B&B we are met by a very nice lady who shows us to our twin room with no en-suite. She claims I must have had the last room available when I booked - But I booked it about 5 months ago! Ah well we have just trashed the shared bathroom with wet muddy stuff. That'll teach her not give us the Vallum Lodge treatment! The standards are slipping here methinks!? Naomi just drying her hair - Why is it she never takes me on in 'The Hair Drying Race'?? Then it's off t'pub! Roger, over & out!
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Dufton - The Stag Inn

This is not our accommodation for the evening, however we might spend more time here because they serve alcohol! Both just had a cracking plate of scampi and chips, not a basket in sight! The B&B looks very nice but our room stinks. Well it does now anyway! 21 miles worth of sweaty socks & clothes!! Hope all our blog followers are well - see you all soon x
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Anyone for golf?

Great Dun Fell Golf Course round here somewhere!?
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Cross Fell

12.5 miles and 2854 feet of ascent into today's walk and we have reached the highest point of the Pennine Way. Smashing views of Cumbrian Fells. Spectacliar is not the word!! Naomi is doing well considering the condition of her feet. We have just had lunch sat outside Greg's Hut (a well positioned mountain bothy) t'was not unpleasant! Anyway, we must press on - it's all downhill from here! Hang on, I can see your house from up 'ere!
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Story so far . . .

80.5 miles completed including approximately 12,500 feet of ascent. Today will include the highest point on the PW "Cross Fell" The finish today will be at Dufton and I don't expect there to be a signal on t'phone so I thought I get ye olde blog in early doors!! The wind(Not Naomi) is getting up now and we haven't even gone down for le petit dejeuner! What will today throw at us?
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Wife to be . . .

My lovely WTB elected to catch the bus today. This made the dull and uninteresting 17 mile walk to Harbut Law (1 mile north of Alston) a solitary mind numbing experience. Much of the terrain being boggy Moorland and not really high enough to generate spectacular views!? Slaggyford was the first notable place en route and it was there that I stumbled upon a lovely looking B&B in an old church (www.yewtreechapel.co.uk). Worth trying out next time round! Only 5 more miles to Harbut Law from here, however I had gone off the map. I had given Naomi the next map in order to find the B&B. I had to ring her several times to ask "how many fields before I turn . . ." When I started the final descent towards the B&B Naomi came hobbling up the field towards me in her luminous green 'crocs' complete with cowpat stripes. A sight for sore eyes (not to mention sore knees). Tonight's accommodation is a good 1 mile walk from the nearest pub so we have both done a further 2 miles in order to fill our bellies!! The only other notable point is that the hosts at the B&B sound like they come from Whitley Bay!! Now all say Whitley Bay in a daft geordie accent like I've been doing all evening! 17 miles on my own and I've lost the plot! Doh!
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Pennine Way training . . .

Today was my third day of training for the PW. At least Naomi had walked the 24 miles to Sheffield a couple of weeks ago. It was also my 3rd day of actually walking the PW. Sounds ridiculous but that is the reality! Luckily some fitness gained and then lost over last few years has provided a base on which to progress. Not brilliant preparation but after being able to get out of bed and then walk a few miles today seems to indicate that the rest can only get easier. As blogged earlier, I rattled off about seven miles today on our rest day. This was for two reasons. Firstly, so as not to seize up and struggle tomorrow, but also to reduce the mileage tomorrow too! Hadrian's Wall isn't really my idea of a good walk, I like to walk up a hill to achieve an improved view, not merely to walk back down again, and then up again and then down again and so on . . . So tomorrow we will commence walking at Greenhead and finish some 15 miles later just north of Alston! Now to make the most of our second night in luxury B&B . . . . now where's that mini-bar . . .
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The Wall . . .

Wonder if any of Jonny Mellor's walls will last this long?
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Fw: So,

------ SMS ------
From: +447850500361
Sent: 11 Jun 2009 11:43
Subject: So,

So, like a knight in shining armour, Neil has just set off along The Wall to clock up another 6 or so miles on our day off. I on the other hand am lying on the bed at our lovely B&B nursing my blisters. It's thundering and lightening and there is hail hitting the window. Neil's heroic efforts today mean that we'll only have to do about 18 miles tomorrow. Will hobble down the road in a bit, catch a bus and meet him at Walltown Roman Army museum. 'Wait a minute, it's stopped raining, guys are swimming, guys are sailing....' Off I hop! See ya.
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What a bloody day . . .

3725 feet of ascent over 30.7miles. Different records all document that today's double leg would total 29.5 miles. Those extra 2112 yards at the end were a right laugh! Not! Tired & emotional does not even come close. At one point during the day I thought of the phrase "We've bitten off more than we can chew" I didn't expect to choke on it too!! Blisters galore, chafing in places the sun doesn't shine and a bit of sunburn thrown in for good measure! There is, however, a massive HOWEVER. We have arrived at Vallum Lodge for our two night stay. The landlady has wings and a hoola hoop for a halo. She even ferried us the 250yds to the pub for our evening meal!? This is the only B&B that I've stayed in with a reasonably priced fully stocked mini bar! Bingo!! This place will not be beaten until we arrive at Dobcross! Ha ha!!! I've attached a pictures of three stunners we came across around midday! Ciao for now! x
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Ha! It missed us!

The rain missed us by inches! Naomi has just become very excited at our first glimpse of Hadrian's Wall. Bless her, she got all squeaky!
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Here comes our first soaking . . .

5 miles to go today but it's looking like we're gonna get wet!!
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1 down, 11 to go . . .

We arrived at B&B in Byrness at about 5.30pm GPS reckoned we'd done 25.4 miles and 5400 feet of ascent. Luckily, all the books overstate the mileage of todays leg. We realised about 10 miles in that we had never carried rucksacks of similar size and weight and this was not going to be as straight forward as first thought. The PW is well marked and not at all over used up here - a stark contrast to the other end!! The landlady at tonights B&B scores at least 3 points higher than last night's host, unfortunately the accommodation doesn't compare! Just seen one of the habitees of said Guest House come in sporting a Bee Keepers head net - unless it's protection from the dreaded midgies. I am gonna leave window open in room tho' because Naomi has not stopped farting for last 24 hours. It doesn't half propel her up the hills. On several occasions today we were in different countries from one another. The PW follows the Eng/Scot Border for approx 10 miles (see pictures) Anyway we are already in bed resting four very weary legs. Not a drop of alcohol has touched our lips, only aspirin! Night then all x x x
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Just met four very healthy looking chaps who have today finished their PW!! Well done chaps!! If you look at their blog you'll appreciate what an achievement it has been! http://www.aroundcorby.co.uk/blog/2009/6/2/update.aspx#comments
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Kirk Yetholm . . .

We have arrived at Kirk Yetholm on a beautiful evening and have checked in at Mill House B&B. The rooms are smashing and the landlady has taken breakfast orders already. She keeps about 30 chickens so there is a good chance of eggs on the table! We had a quick walk round the quiet village and reccied the start of the PW. The official start for us in the morning will be the doorstep of the Border Hotel. We will be eating there tonight! At the B&B Naomi and I have opted for the twin room whilst her Dad has the luxury double bed . . . . after all he's quite right in saying "you're not married yet"
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Not long now . . .

Currently being driven by David 'Jenson' Atherton up the A1 towards Kirk Yetholm. Scary stuff! Saw some scrap at side of road. Them Geordies don't know the value of a good 'weigh-in' John Malt would've been rubbing his hands!
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The Wedding Venue . . .

http://www.losehillhouse.co.uk/

Him

For those of you who are lucky enough not to know me!!

Her

This is t'Bride for those of you who don't know her!!

The itineray . . .

Start at Kirk Yetholm
9th June 2009
http://www.thepennineway.co.uk/thebyrness/
Arrive at Byrness
28 miles
10th June 2009
http://www.vallum-lodge.co.uk/index.html
Arrive at Twice Brewed
30 miles
11th June 2009
http://www.vallum-lodge.co.uk/index.html
0 miles (Rest Day)
12th June 2009
http://cumbria-cottages.co.uk/harbutLaw.html
Arrive at Harbut Law, Alston
22 miles
13th June 2009
http://www.browfarm.com/index.html
Arrive at Dufton
22 miles
14th June 2009
http://www.thecoachhouse.net/index.htm
Arrive at Middleton in Teesdale
22 miles
15th June 2009
http://www.ancient-unicorn.com/home.htm
Arrive at Bowes
13 miles
16th June 2009
http://www.whiteharthawes.co.uk/
Arrive at Hawes
24 miles
17th June 2009
http://www.riverhousehotel.co.uk/index.cfm
Arrive at Malham
28.5 miles
18th June 2009
http://www.pondenhouse.co.uk/
Arrive at somewhere West of Haworth
24 miles
19th June 2009
Stay at Maureens
Arrive at Dobcross
25 miles
20th June 2009
Home
Arrive at Hayfield
23.5 miles
21st June 2009
Arrive at Edale - HOORAAAAYYYYY!!!!
6 miles

Go to Lose Hill House Hotel and get married!!!

The preparation . . . .

Maps purchased - 4 days to go before we leave for Kirk Yetholm
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