We’d been psyching ourselves up for our third day, it was not only the longest day of the walk at 13 miles, it was the furthest we’d walked for a loooong time! South Cave to Shiptonthorpe. We got ourselves organised for an early start. The weather was a bit cooler which we were more than happy about. Things were looking good…

Then one mile in I twisted my ankle on a deep rut hidden by grass and did a full face plant!! I carefully straightened it again and after a few minutes I gingerly stood up. We always wear proper walking boots with good ankle support and I think that saved the day, I found if I kept my ankle straight I could walk on it. Only 12 miles to go that day and about 65 altogether!! It swelled up somewhat but it survived for the rest of the week with a liberal application of Volterol gel!

We walked along our first ‘wold’, a wold is a dry valley, often with very steep sides, it’s typical I think of a chalk landscape. The blossom on the hawthorn bushes was stunning.. This photo was taken as we descended down the steep side, we then walked along the valley bottom.

We also came across the first of the YWW poetry benches, these were made some years ago by Angus Ross out of steam bent oak. There are six altogether, each inscribed with a poem by John Wedgewood Clarke it was part of WANDER, art along the YWW project. I loved their sinuous curves, although they weren’t necessarily the most practical seats to sit on!

We stayed in Robeanne House which was about a mile off route. We had to walk along a pretty busy road with no verge, so we were very relieved that the passing drivers were so considerate and gave us plenty of space. Robeanne House was lovely, we had a room off a courtyard which had a shower room, kitchenette with breakfast stuff provided. It was great. The main negative thing from our point of view was that there was nowhere nice to have dinner without getting a taxi. Luckily there was a McDonalds nearby so we had an uninspiring meal there.

We had a later start the next day, so late in fact that Mal from the Goaties turned up to collect our bags, it was nice to put a face to the name. He very kindly gave us a lift back up the road to the path so we didn’t have to walk along there again.

Day 4 was 9 miles from Shiptonthorpe to Millington. We had great views which stretched for miles. One thing we particularly noticed on this whole walk was the birdsong, we were serenaded by skylarks whilst passing through the fields. This photo is taken just before we descended into Millington for our night at the Ramblers Rest.

Day 5 was a very long and very very wet 8 miles from Millington to Fridaythorpe!! Last year when I had a weekend in the Lakes with my daughter she recommended a rain shelter, they’re a bit like a tent with no poles! Well we christened it that day!! It just gives a bit of shelter from the wind and rain whilst you have a snack.

It was a shame that our two wettest and darkest days should have been the prettiest as that was when we were walking through a lot of the wolds. We were absolutely dripping and squelching when we arrived at Seaways Glamping in Fridaythorpe. We were staying in a little wooden cabin, it was petite but had everything we needed and Michael, the owner helped us to find somewhere to dry our stuff out, especially our boots!

On that wet note, I will sign off for another day!