Dan had transported us to the next B&B the night before along with the poorly doglet. This one we'd stayed in before when we cycled the path and were looking forward to going there as it had been great. Key words there - had been! Suffice to say we were disappointed! Check out our reviews of Bee Cottage on trip advisor for more info - wish we had done so first!
Sitting in the pub eating dinner the night before (looked like a gastropub outside - was not inside but good honest and cheap food (we reviewed all the restaurants and pubs we could too), Jorgen pointed out that his foot was very sore and he was not certain that he could run or even walk the next day. A plan was hatched!
Dan was to run with me the following day then just in case Jorgen could not and so he could take the little dog to the vets. In the morning Jorgen was OK but we decided to stick to the plan. so there would be no running as Dan does not run and had not even got the right shoes to try. He also had no food and although he did have a Camelbak his rucksack was a bit large - so we would be walking.
Jorgen dropped us off at Rookhope and we headed to Stanhope. We had planned to have a quick coffee together in the local pub before starting but at 10:50 it of course was not open. Dan and I set off along the road as the off road route although open looked a bit rough. After a few mins Jorgen and Rascal (the dog) passed and waved (not the dog!) after a quick chat out of the car window!
At this point in my mind I was on the downhill part of the trek. Not really - there were some climbs to Stanhope (and some rather dodgy signage), we had a little 5 min rest when we reached the town before heading up a whole 2 miles of hill! It just went on and on and it was mostly straight so we could see that it went on and on! To keep us going we started a 'road kill count' which totalled 27 (possibly 26 as the last 2 could have been 2 a part of the same!) most of which were on this section.
At the top of the hill we found a cafe - Parkhead Station, what a lovely place, a welcome site (and sight) and they have a B&B - we took details for later use. Great coffee and cake in just the right place and the owners where like a comedy double act (they had 'retired' there, think I could too!).
After this it was downhill!! At last! Now were were on the moors away from the road and surrounded by sheep - sheep with lambs to protect, sheep that decided Dan was a threat - a few headed for him! Hilarious! I'd had three days of walking and running with Jorgen and the sheep ran from us - Dan they try to attack! I did the 'making myself look bigger' thing but stretching out my arms and the sheep though better of it!
The weather was beginning to look threatening with big black clouds but we had about 5 miles only left so we were not really worried. Plus it was downhill and again straight so we could see it! About 2-3 miles out from the B&B - which we were walking in to we saw a figure running up the path towards us. At first a speck moving faster than the other specks then a figure in black shorts and top with a recognisable gait - was it? Yep! it was Jorgen - he was going a bit stir crazy so he had come out for a short run and did not even realise that he was on the same path as us! We all walked back in together.
Had a great evening at the Derwent Walk Pub with some local friends - a great day all in all.
No comments:
Post a Comment