(N.B. Hover your mouse over the pictures for captions)
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Not much sleep was had overnight, due to a cockerel that started with an incredible racket at about 4 in the morning, and crowed every twenty seconds for what seemed like hours. We got up expecting another hot day but were surprised to see that there was mist around. We assumed that this would soon burn off in the heat of the day. After breakfast we set off, climbing the steep hill behind Maltkin House onto Urra moor. We had a little difficulty finding the footpath once we had climbed out of the trees since the mist was quite thick; eventually we used a stone wall to guide us to the path at the top. From here we walked along the moor edge for a while and then joined a wide track taking us up to the top of Round Hill, to rejoin the normal route. Visibility was only about 100 feet, so we were glad that we were on an obvious track, and also for the compass and GPS. |
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The moor is obviously used for shooting, as there are many grouse butts round here. At least it wasn't the 'Glorious 12th' otherwise we might have been mistaken for birds in the mist (or perhaps not). |
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Soon we joined the old railway track, which was easy walking, but the rolling mist was disappointing, there being no views beyond a few feet away. It was hard to believe the change in the weather since the day before, and it was an eerie experience crossing some of the embankments with the wind swirling the mist around. |
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Eventually, we reached the turn off for the Lion Inn at Blakey, and we were glad to go in for a sit down, drink and lunch with fellow Coast-to-Coasters. Joe and Madeline, who were staying at the pub invited us to join them for dinner. |
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After lunch, we made our way across the road to High Blakey House, our accommodation for the night. We received a hearty welcome from the landlady, and sat down for a coffee in her beautiful guests' lounge. For a few moments, the mist parted, and we caught a glimpse of the view across the valley - a truly wonderful aspect. Later on we went back to the pub and had a good night with Joe, Madeline and Dean, before turning in for the night |
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