The walk is over and I'm now sitting at my computer in sunny Exeter.
So, I need to complete the story for all those who have been interested enough to follow me across the country through these rambling blogs.
The last blog mentions the knee pain that had put my chances of completion in jeopardy. The thing is, I was naturally concerned that I would not be able to finish because I've had knee trouble for many years. Between them both, my knees have undergone 3 cartilage operations and, more seriously, a complete cruciate ligament repair. So at the end of day 12, I went to my tent a little anxious that I would awake to find the knee swollen and the pain still there.
However, the next morning I was relieved that there was no swelling and the pain was minimal.
Day 13. Blakely Ridge to Grosmont. 14 miles.
I decided to have a late start to give my knee every chance of a rest. So, after a great breakfast of muesli with grapefruit on top, a full English including black pudding, toast and lots of strong coffee, I set off (at 10.30)in the wind and rain.
When I had walked a few miles I found that I had a signal on my phone so called up my wife Jennie, who was on her way to Yorkshire with my very good friends Nadia and Dave. While I was talking to Jennie, an idea that had been fermenting in my brain, came blurting out. I had realised that the camp-site in Grosmont I was heading towards, was just 4 or 5 miles away from where Jennie would be staying, (in Whitby).
"Jennie, do you think it would be OK if I slept in Whitby tonight? You see, I am sick to death of putting up the tent and there are no showers at the camp-site."
It was as if Jennie knew that I was going to ask and I could hear all three of them saying that it would be a brilliant idea. Following some essential arrangements about time and place for Dave to collect me, I ended the call and walked on with a light heart, a skip to my step and whistling a merry tune.
As I happily strolled, alone, across Glaisdale Moor, a wonderful thing happened. It stopped raining, the sun came through a gap in the clouds and out of nowhere came the beautiful sound of a skylark singing. Then to my delight, it was joined by not one, but 4 more larks and I was treated to a heart wrenching symphony as they sang together, soaring and diving all around and above me. Mesmerised, I stood rooted to the spot for what seemed like 10 minutes, enjoying this fantastic natural concert, until they drifted down and landed just as the sun went in again.
I have heard larks singing before, but never have I had such a treat as this. It was an all too brief moment that I shall never forget.
When I arrived in Grosmont I was an hour and a half early. So I had to kill some time before Dave would be picking me up. The Station Tavern was a great place to kill some time and I found a nice comfy seat and had a couple of pints of Green King IPA. Earlier I'd bought the Guardian and enjoyed my time doing the crossword. When Dave arrived we were soon on the road for the short drive to the home of Dave's mum Lillian. When we arrived Lillian, Nadia and my darling Jennie were waiting to greet me. It was a surreal moment as they all stared at me and said how healthy I looked. It was a joy to be in comfortable surroundings. I had a lovely meal there joined by Dave's sister Dilys, and later we all strolled up the road to the pub. I was shattered and was happy to get back to the house and crawl into my comfortable bed, leaving them to carry on chatting and drinking, in the sitting room, without me. As I lay in the bed I reflected on what had been a wonderful day and I am sure I had a big smile on my face as I fell asleep.
Day.14 (the final day). Grosmont to Robin Hood's Bay. 16 miles.
The previous evening I told Dave that he would be more than welcome to join me on the last leg of my journey. I cannot think of a single person that I would rather have as my walking companion than him. We have spent countless hours in each other's company over the 30 years that we've been friends and we've never been short of conversation.
We set off from Grosmont at about 8.30. I told Dave about my experience with the skylarks and he was very envious. As we walked over Sleights moor a single lark put on a show for us and I was pleased that Dave was able to enjoy it.
Suddenly the pain in my knee hit in again. But, there was no way it was going to stop me now. I put the pain to the back of my mind and we walked on. At Littlebeck we came to a delightful cafe in the woods and we stopped for a pot of tea and a chocolate brownie. We were joined by Sue who I've met many times along the way. She told me that I should be pleased that I didn't camp at Grosmont, because a group of boys and girls had turned up there and had caused mayhem all night. As a result she had not managed to get much sleep and the experience had been rather disturbing. How lucky I had been to have avoided this. I can honestly say that, although I have been cold and wet on many of my nights of camping, I have still enjoyed the experience. It would have been a shame for me to have had that spoilt by one night of rowdiness. It was a pity that Sue had to put up with it though.
We were nearing the finish of the walk and as we walked along the 4 miles of coastline that leads to Robin Hood's bay I was struggling to control my emotions. Texts of encouragement and congratulations only fuelled these feelings. I managed to keep most of it bottled up but as I walked down to the Bay Hotel and saw Jennie waiting for me I gave in to my happy emotions. Also there were people that I had met along the way including Steve and Sam, Geoff and his brother Mike, Alan, and Sue and her husband. I was trying to keep my emotions in check but it will have been obvious to them that I was very moved by the occasion.
I asked that I be left to walk down to the sea's edge by myself and with my back to my friends, old and new, I was able to allow myself to cry as I took the hundred or so steps to the lapping water of the North Sea. Once there I removed my walking boots and socks and paddled in the cold but refreshing water. Then I took the pebble that I had carried for more than 200 miles from the beach at St Bees and threw it as far as I could out to sea.
Job done. I was very proud of myself.
One last thing.
I have met some lovely people on my trip and I know that, because of my pathetic memory, I will have forgotten many of their names. Some were at the finish but many were not. Good people like Richard the dairy farmer; Dave from Cornwall; Roger and his daughter Lynne, Alan and his daughter Beth; Bob, Ron, Pauline, Joyce, Brieda, Linda and Douglas from North Wales and Graham from London. But there was one person who helped me more with advice and encouragement and that is Trevor. Trevor and I got to know each other very well as we walked along together and drank and ate together. We talked of our wives and our children, we discussed politics and religion, we marvelled at the fantastic scenery, we helped each other through the bogs and we laughed a lot at the crazy situations from our lives and from the walk that we started together 14 days ago.
I had intended to try to do this walk on my own. I am so happy to say that my intentions have failed.
I reported in a previous blog that Trevor and his brilliant dog Alfred had dropped out of the walk because Alfred's paws were too sore for him to continue. I genuinely believed this to be true. I now know that Trevor and Alfred made it to the end and finished a day before me. I am absolutely delighted for them both. Well done Trevor and well done Alfred.
Take care.
The END
Rob
virginmoneygiving.com/RobSetter
