Distance walked today 16 miles
Total distance walked 515 miles
Distance left 537 miles
It got a bit cold last night next to the stream but it was nice listening to the running water. The midges didn't come to anything.
Continuing on the Pennine Way, the day started with a dip down to Scar Top, the far side of Ponden Reservoir and then a steep climb up the other side on to Oakworth Moor and then Ickornshaw Moor. My memories of this moor were from when I last did this section of the Pennine Way in 1975 when it rained every day and we just floundered across the moor in rain and thick mist, up to our knees in water and peat. Today was a clear, dry day and the worst sections were covered with flagstones.
Ickornshaw Moor
The countryside changed suddenly here. No more moorland. It was ups and downs of sheep country with lots of shades of green. The path then dropped gradually down to the village of Cowling (the telephone box marked on the OS map is no longer there). Then it was another climb before going down again into Lothersdale, a lovely village which I would have lingered in but The Hare & Hounds wasn't open yet.
Just out of Lothersdale, I came across Colin of the Backpackers Club propping up a gate. We'd been in touch by text last evening. He'd walked to meet me from Thornton-in-Craven, four miles away. We went on to walk the four miles together. It's very nice when someone takes the trouble to do this. If anyone else would like to get in touch to do the same, the best way to make contact is by text on 07794 453633. I check this every evening.
There was no pub at Thornton so Colin returned home at this point. My route took me on to East Marton where I followed the Leeds & Liverpool Canal for the best part of a mile when I left it to go along a lane and then into fields. It was field after field of lush grass and sheep for two miles and then into Gargrave. It's a good site here with proper facilities. Gargrave has a Co-op (which opens at 7am) so no problem picking up food in the morning.
Double arched bridge at East Marton
Greetings from Cheltenham. Nice to see you're making good progress - keep it up. Ian & Laila.
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