Day 11

12.58 miles today in dull overcast, windy weather with drizzle for quite a bit of the way. We have left the Yorkshire Dales behind and are now in Durham. The scenery was not particularly inspiring today but we have four days ahead of us of around 20 miles a day at high elevations. Sadly, I believe the weather forecast is not good. We have passed the 150 mile marker today and just need to find that extra encouragement to keep going to the end. One thing is certain, we are all eating well and are in danger of coming back heavier than we started!!!!!!!

Day 12 Middleton-in-Tees to Dufton

We were a bit apprehensive about today. After a few relatively short days, this was 21 miles and needed an early start. We had good weather and in terms of views this was the best day yet. We saw spectacular waterfalls at Low Force, High Force and Cauldrons Snout in addition to a great view of a U shaped valley called High Cup Nick. Much of the walk was along the banks of the Tees and at one point we encountered an extended track of very large boulders with no clear path. We found this very difficult and it played havoc with the knees. We are very sore this evening and the trip is becoming one of a test of endurance as we get more tired each day. One knee is twanging so much you could play a tune on it. Tomorrow is a watershed, another 20 miles and we climb to the highest point on the whole walk. If we get through tomorrow, we are confident we will make it to the end.

Day 14 Alston to Greenhead

18.4 miles today. The weather was kinder to us than first expected and we only got soaked in the morning. We did however also get a few hailstones in the afternoon but that didn't last long. The walk was not very inspiring but it was for the most part quite easy walking and we were able to walk without the aide of trekking poles for quite long periods, which is unusual for some of us. However, we did encounter about four miles of swamp and bog, which was very tiring and left us wondering whether our boots were still on our feet every time we lifted them up.

Today we passed the 200 mile marker and have now left the Pennines behind. The father of British walkers, Arthur Wainwright maintained that the walk should end here, but the extra over the Cheviots has been included to ensure that the walk ends in Scotland. Wainwright was the Treasurer of Cumbria County County and it is said that he devised many of these walks to get away from his wife. More fool him is what I say!!!!

Forget forget to mention earlier that we stayed at a Guest House run by Mr and Mrs Caeser and you've guessed it, Mrs Caeser's first name was Julia!!!!!