Wainwright's Coast to Coast Walk (West to East) — Stage 9

Left, Right, Left, Right. Road all the way to Danby Wiske and to cap it all I got a right drenching at Danby as the heavens opened. I set a good pace though. Feet and legs definitely were on the mend (new softer canvas walking boots helping!) and Lovesome Hill to Ingleby Cross was effortless. The road walking I had to endure today was a perfect stamina builder for the climax of the walk. Today's walk was also a nostalgia trip in local surroundings. I grew up and played in many of the areas I passed through today, particularly in places between Danby Wiske and Ingleby Cross for I was born and raised in Brompton, a village that lies only 2 miles south of the route of the walk between these two spots. Admittedly crossing the Vale of Mowbray on flat roads and through farmland is a little bland, but it adds miles and fulfills the purpose of the crossing of Northern England. At least tomorrow offers good aspects with the beginning of the North York Moors and the great views from the Cleveland Hills.

For the walking purists this is the nadir of the whole event and the road walking is hard on the feet. All you can do is slog it out and look forward to the next few days over the North York Moors and the climax of the walk.