Pennine Way Complete

We can't quite believe we have completed it, we have walked all the way from the Peak District to Scotland! We wanted to say a huge thanks to everyone who has supported us, Si and the crew at Mountainfeet, all the lovely people at the campsites, pubs and hostels who have gone the extra mile to help us out, all those who have donated bits of equipment and food, all those who have sponsored us, (£535 at last count) which is just truly brilliant, everyone who has given us words of advice and support and our brill support crew who have been excellent.

Final thoughts.
Rob "Don't let me do anything like that again!"

Kirsten "I think I've trodden through enough marsh and bog to last a lifetime! Right, new shoes needed, got a 25 miler in a week and a half. Who thought that would be a good idea?"

Pennine Way complete.

Day 18 Byrness to Kirk Yetholm

This was the biggie to end the trek, 26 miles. We set off at 6.30am, as we needed to make sure we finished to be able to get back to Byrness for the night. Really hard going at first, totally lost my walking legs, what a day to lose them on. The first 7 miles were really hard, mud, steep climbs and yes, a bit more marsh and bog. Stopped at the first mountain hut and had something to eat, picked up a little and the rest of the journey was better. Weather was dry all day, which was a blessing, very cold though and windy. We made it into Kirk Yetholm, where the support crew were waiting to take pictures. Rutherford and Beaty bear made it too, clean and dry, if a little squashed. Day 18 complete.

Day 17 Bellingham to Byrness

Very cold this morning but clear. Packed away and off we set to
Byrness. Terrain started out good, over fields and relatively dry
moorland. Sun came out a little but then overcast all day, however it
did stay dry. We then got to a section outside Kielder Forest that was
truly awful. Nearly went in the bog, thigh deep, a couple of times.
Apparently, no matter what time of year and no matter how many dry
free days there are that section is always bad, sorry no pics,
couldn't get camera out. Carried on to Forest View Hostel, we thought
we would treat ourselves to a night in a hostel before tomorrows
marathon. Journey nearly over, just one more day to get through. Think
I need my sleep. Day 17 complete.

Day 16 complete

We finally made it to Stonehaugh and fortunately it was very windy, which meant no midgies. Yey! Have to say though did not enjoy the walk, heavy going over Hadrians Wall and then more bog! Had a lie in this morning till 7am as it was a short day today over to Bellingham. Very windy again this morning, so no midgies, but very cold. Days walk was better, sunny spells and bits of drizzle. Feet, knees and ankles are starting to feel the last 16 days. Still going though. Day 16 complete.

Day 16 Stonehaugh to Bellingham

Kirsten's text message also stated that they had set off for Bellingham and although the weather was better it was very windy.

Keep going – not far now…

(more pictures added to Days 13, 14 and 15)

Day 15 Complete

Received a text message today from Kirsten to say that Day 15 (Greenhead to Stonehaugh - Saturday) had not improved from her previous post. They had very little battery on their phones and no signal but at least Day 15 is complete.

On our way

The rain subsided a little at 10am so we decided to start walking. We are just along Hadrians Wall, and the sun has made a little appearence, woo hoo!

Bears on Hadrians Wall

Day 15 Greenhead to Stonehaugh

Sheltering from the rain

When you don't think things could get any worse, you wake up in the morning to an extremely wet tent and an absolute downpour. We are packed up ready to go but the rain is so heavy we can't set off yet. Taking shelter in the barn on the campsite. Don't know whether to laugh or cry. Today is going to test the resolve of both of us. :(

Day 14 Garrigill to Greenhead

Today has been on a par with Day 4 which was miserable. We have both
had wet feet since we set off and continued with them for 20 miles.
The weather was also grim, very cold and wet. The terrain was very
hard going with the second half of the day pretty much in bog. There
has been broken stiles, barb wire in front of stiles, lots of cows,
bulls and horses to contend with and the A69 to cross, which is like a
motorway, very scary. We managed till mid afternoon to keep spirits
high, I was singing show tunes and hymns to keep myself going,
however, by 5pm, I was not very happy, and will admit, had a few
tears. It is a day like today I wonder why I am doing this. We have
managed 200 miles up to this point and have 4 days left. 68 miles to
go, however the walking seems to be getting tougher. Please can
tomorrow be nice and dry. Day 14 complete.

Setting off from Garrigill before the going got really tough.

The most exciting thing we saw all afternoon!

Day 13 Dufton to Garrigill

Picture on top of Knock Old Man, looking at the next summits,

Great Dun Fell and Cross Fell in the background

On climb up Knock Old Man looking at The Lakes

On top of Great Dun Fell

Bears on top of Cross Fell. The Lakes in the background.

Sorry for the lack of updates, we have been in some very remote areas and have had no service at all. Day 13 was a biggie, just under 3500 feet of ascent over 17 miles. We completed 4 summits, some of which you can see on the pictures. Cross Fell being the biggest. The path off the tops was a 7 mile stony track, it felt like it was going on forever. The sun was out which made the view fabulous, but did make the climbs that bit more difficult. We got to Garrigill and got the tent up, behind the village hall. Met the support crew who had come up to resupply and brought with them the best present, a midgie net for your head, (Thanks Si) and my word did we need them that evening. Day 13 complete.

Day 12 complete

Just after typing the last blog and taking the picture from High Cup,
you may be able to see in the back of the picture the rain cloud, we
had a great downpour, it lasted all the way down into Dufton. In
Cumbria tonight, sat in The Stag pub with Ruth and Sarah who started
the PW on the same day, our paths keep crossing and it's nice to catch
up after a few days walking. Big day tomorrow, quite a bit of ascent
and mileage. 100 miles to go at this point 168 done. Two thirds of the
days done. Day 12 complete.

Day 12 Langdon Beck to Dufton

Cauldron Snout

View from High Cup

Had a lovely afternoon in the Youth Hostel, let our feet have a rest.
Had a good breakfast this morning and set off. Today we are actually
heading south west feels strange but thats the way the path goes. On
High Cup at the moment, after scrambling up Cauldron Snout. Very
impressive.

End of Day 11

Because of the lack of mobile signal, Kirsten used a payphone in the Youth Hostel to say they had arrived at Langdon Beck at lunchtime. It had been a shorter journey of which, I think, they were quite grateful after the trek yesterday - although the midges are still a problem. At least they get the chance of a bed to sleep in and they also enjoyed a three course meal in the hostel. They have a 12 mile (approx) journey to Dufton tomorrow - lets hope the weather is kind for them. It is unlikely they will have any mobile signal again.

Day 11 Middleton in Teesdale to Langdon Beck

Nice short day today only 7 miles. Got to about half way at Low Force.
There is something very beautiful about waterfalls, many more to
come. We are having a stop with a brew and doughnuts that Rob has
just produced!



Low Force

High Force

Day 10 complete

Today was a toughie. The heat just drained the energy, and the bogs
sapped anything left. Very long day. Very glad tomorrow is a short
day. Completed over half of the distance, so we are now nearer Kirk
Yetholm than Edale which is a good feeling. Midgies are really really
bad at the camp site, not what you need after a very hard day on the
hills. Day 10 complete.

Day 10 Tan Hill to Middleton in teesdale

Had breakfast in the pub, which has meant a later start than we planned, but it was worth it. Took some pics of the bears at the highest pub in Britain, and made our way over the moorland at the back of the pub, very wet and boggy. The sun is making an appearence which is nice. Just stopped for some lunch.

Posh Tea Room

Forgot to post a comment about the tea room we went to in Thwaite. It was very nice and they were very friendly, but we had to put covers on our shoes.

Day 9 Hardraw to Tan Hill

The rain did stop at some point this morning, and we went to look at the Hardraw Force (waterfall), and it was spectacular. See the difference between the evening and morning pictures.

Evening

Morning

Set off at about 9am, my walking legs had left me this morning and was finding it really hard, Rob took the tent off me after about 30 mins in. Carried on the climb up Great Shunner Fell, and eventually reached the top, the highest point so far on the trek, however, the views were greatly hampered by low cloud.

Carried on to Thwaite and Keld and headed on up to the Tan Hill Pub. The food and hospitality are superb. So we are half way through in days and will be half way through in miles, tomorrow. Long day tomorrow. Day 9 complete.

Day 8 complete

Got to Hawes and just had to stop at the creamery, I like cheese.
Bought a little block of cheddar with balsamic onions and some
crackers. As we were coming off the fell we were followed by huge grey
clouds and unfortunately when we arrived in Hawes it started to rain,
we got some supplies and headed on up to Hardraw and it's rained
since, the only bonus I hope is that Hardraw Force, the highest single
drop waterfall in the country which is part of the grounds we are
camping on, should be spectacular from the downpour.

We have completed now 108 miles, with a big day looming tomorrow, so
chicken dopiaza for tea, showers then bed, please be dry tomorrow.

Day 8 Horton to Hardraw

After the wonderful stay in the caravan, lovely food in the Crown pub and a full English breakfast this morning we are on our way to Hardraw through Hawes. Brilliant views of the Yorkshire 3 peaks. Cloudy, but dry.

Yorkshire Dales

Day 7 Malham to Horton-in-Ribblesdale

After their ‘leisurely rest day’ yesterday (7 miles), Kirsten and Rob left Malham for a 15 mile trek into Horton-in-Ribblesdale. Kirsten said they had had a good day and the weather had been fine. 92 miles now completed including the Pen-Y-Ghent ascent.

Getting to the top of Pen-Y-Ghent

After taking refreshments in the Pen-Y-Ghent Café they signed the impressive Pennine Way Book.

As their planned accommodation for tonight had been somewhat ‘fluid’, they decided to treat themselves to a well-deserved overnight stay - in a static caravan! – with a nice double bed! (Hope they don’t get too used to that.) The static is behind The Crown pub in Horton where they were hoping to have their evening meal and, I think, where breakfast would be provided in the morning. Look forward to hearing from them soon.

Home for the night!

Day 6 Gargrave to Malham

Had a very leisurely morning, took our time and put the sun cream on,
as it looked like a sunny day. Set off at 10.30am, well it is our rest
day. The sun shone for all the walk and was a beautiful day. Got to
Airton, very picturesque village, in what felt like no time, stopped
for lunch and then headed to Malham. You can see in the background of
the picture the stunning Malham Cove. We got to camp at 2pm. 7 miles
just flew by.
Got camp set up and then support crew came up with home-
made hotpot (complete with my home grown beetroots) and home made
crumble and custard. We restocked on a few bits and are now sat in the tent
listening to the rain, unfortunately the sun only lasted till 3pm.
Feeling ok though. Thanks for the recent donations, it really does
help when things get tough, it helps to think about why we are doing
this trek, may need to, particularly as there are a few hard days to come.

Weather for Rubberducks at Malham

Never thought you would see Rob using a mangle!‏

Day 5 Cowling to Gargrave

Today was a bit shorter, only 11 miles, the first of 2 rest days. The weather has been glorious and had a lovely days walk. Sunny spells and dry. Terrain has been mostly farm land and partly down the canal at East Marton. Had a brew in the Dalesman and Rob bought some sweets from the sweet shop. He is easily pleased. Wine gums. We took the photo at the Gargrave sign, however, we do have further to go than the 186, this was before a few of the diversions were put in the path. It is 198 to do, however, we are now just over a quarter of the way there. Today made up for the grimness of yesterday. A few more dry days please.

What a difference a day (and a huge pizza) makes.

End of Day 4

At around 7.50 pm I received a text message from Kirsten and I quote -

“Grim day today. Very, very hard. After a bad night’s sleep, the weather was grim. Felt down and fed up. The moorland just seemed to go on for ever. Low cloud, showers all day, boggy ground, very hard going. We are now sat in a pizza place waiting for pizza to arrive – we thought we had deserved it”

Day 4 Badgerfields Farm to Cowling

Lots of rain last night, broken sleep hence the poem inspired at 2.30 am from Rob. All packed up and ready to go. Had rain showers this morning and still very grey so waterproofs on even the bears!

Poem for Claire

Rain On My Tent

How loud!
Is the rain on my tent?
I need some sleep
As my body is spent.

It has the sound of,
The candy that pops,
But this stuff
Just doesn't seem to stop.

So please just stop,
At least for a while
Or from my face
You'll wipe my smile.

I need some sleep
As my body is spent
But this rain won't stop
Falling on my tent!

By Rob at 2.30am
(what's my level Claire?)

End of day 3

Arrived at Badgerfields Farm around 6 which was a good time for a 17 mile day, one of the longer days of the trip. Felt the best we have so far, maybe the walking legs have kicked in, we'll see tomorrow, another 15 miler. Midgie bites not great, got the usual on the arms and legs but one on the ear and eyelid were not very pleasant. It was great wakling with mum this morning, thanks for coming out. Hot chocolate and bed, me thinks.

Day 3 Standedge to Hebden Bridge

This morning we delivered breakfast (sausage and bacon muffins) to Kirsten and Rob at the Carriage House Inn camp site at 7.30 am. This was the day I had planned to walk with them - the stretch from Standedge to Blackstone Edge (The White House), roughly 7.5 miles. Since I hadn’t done any serious walking for some time I was a little nervous about ‘holding them up’ but I found my walking legs after a mile and felt fine all the way.

Enjoying a rest and a flapjack

The weather was ‘iffy’, bursts of rain and then glimpses of sun – typical August really and the ground was a ‘little muddy’ to say the least. We stopped at the roadside mobile cafe on the A627 Ripponden Road and had a very welcome cup of coffee - my fellow walkers assured me that you should grab every opportunity to eat and have a hot drink (I like that). ). I felt slightly apprehensive about crossing the footpath over the M62 (not fond of heights) but Rob talked me across, telling me that the crosswind makes you hang onto the sides! Thanks Rob. Fortunately, there was only a slight breeze. Phew.

We seemed to reach The White House is super time (well I thought so) and found that Joe was waiting for me in the car park.

After a quick lunch and a photo shoot with the bears .....


we parted company and the intrepid pair set off towards Blackstone Edge Reservoir making their way to Hebden Bridge.

What a enjoyable morning. Looking forward to the next time! See you in Malham.

Day 2 Crowden to Standedge

Had a bit of a lie in this morning, got up at 7am. We had a leisurely breakfast and packed up. Set off and made our way over to Laddow Rocks. Steep ascent and half way up the heavens opened so waterproofs made an appearence. Showers pretty much all day. We got over Black Hill and saw the snack van was there and open, we made our way down and as we were in the last quarter of a mile we looked up and she was shutting, noooooo. We asked if they could serve us anything, an Eccles cake and can of coke, bless them, thank you. Made our way into Standedge and here now sat at the Carriage Inn, with Mum, Dad and our kid, waiting for tea to be served. Day 2 completed.

End of day 1

Completed day 1! Got to Crowden for tea time, tent up and veg curry and rice for tea. Feeling a bit tired, but ok.

Day 1 - Edale to Crowden

Well, the support team turned out and delivered Kirsten and Rob to the start of their Pennine Way journey at Edale. The weather was certainly overcast but at least it wasn't raining.

After some initial 'prepping' (blister-proofing feet and eating bananas) they donned their very, very heavy rucksacks and posed for the photo-call at the pub, The Nags Head and of course, a photo with bears, Rutherford and Beaty (hope they are up for the trip).

They set off at 8.10 am, smiles on their faces and eager to go. Best of luck! It will be tough at times but we know you can do it - enjoy the journey and we look forward to hearing how the first day has gone.

At around 9.30 am they had reached Jacob's Ladder (photo emailed by Rob).