Coast to Coast day 10 May 29 2026

 Swainby to lion inn at Blakey ridge.

Another big mileage day at 18 miles, but really enjoyable compared to yesterday. Started of really early and after less than a mile road walking from Swainby I was on the trail, and fairly soon after that I was treated to the site of a deer with two young calves in some woods( not quick enough to get a picture). Nor on the weather forecast but a storm moved in and I was soon in my waterproofs, and getting nearly blown over as I climbed onto Live moor and across Carlton moor. My rain cover blew off, but I managed to catch it before it set of for Middlesborgh.

Roseberry Topping on maximum zoom

After Carlton Moor I dropped down to Lordstones Cafe. It was too early for it to be open , but I utilised a picnic bench for my my breakfast.

Top of Carlton Moor

This is the section of the C2C which shares with the Cleveland Way, and from doing it last year I remember all the ups and downs on this section, Looking at the map I decided to take a route which dropped around all these ups and downs before arrivig at Urra Moor ( no otion but to do that climb), I reasoned that with 18 mies to do, all thta extra effort would have wiped me out.

The Wainstones - If I was following the trail I would have been up there.

After climbing up to Urra Moor, the wind and rain started up again. On this section I bumped into a couple of women doing the Lyke Wake Walk.- the challenge being to complete the whole 40 miles in one day - crazy!

At Bloworth Crossing The C2C and Cleveland Way part company and I headed along the route of the old Rosedale Railway (used to transport iron ore from the mines on the moor) all the way to Blakey Ridge.  Apart from the worrying rumble of thunder a few miles away, this was a very enjoyable section of the walk.

Trig point on Urra Moor (Round Hill)

Lion Inn

I checked in at the Inn, and fairly soon afterwards Anne arrived. We had a nice evening with good food. 

18 Miles. 3230 ft ascent. 8 Hours 22 Mins (The ascent figure would have been a lot more if I hadn't taken the lower route between Carlton and Urra Moor)

Coast to Coast day 9 May 27 2026

 Brompton on Swale to Swainby.

Despite it being flat and the weather perfect( warm with cloud cover) this was a big day at 24 miles.

I set of early, and just after Brompton I was going down a quiet country lane near a wildlife reserve and I saw at least one hundred rabbits pottering around on the lane.

First village of the day was Bolton on Swale. I walked through the village and then I. A field just outside the village I crossed a beck I shouldn't have - for my feet wet and then realizing my mistake had to cross again !!

Then it was a combination of road walking , passing through villages, and crossing agricultural land ( loads of cows!).

Track near Catterick Bridge

Village pub at Danby Wiske

O my way o East Rointon - no where to sit - I had a lie down on the edge of a field

The mistake I made near the end was to follow the official route which takes you to East Rounton and a bridge over the A19. This meant several miles of road walking to get to Swainby ,and some of this wasn't quiet country lanes. Also no footways in any of this section. The only positive here was the Roots farm shop at East Rounton where I stopped for something to eat. The original route would have involved a crossing of the A19, and then following the trail thru Ingleby Cross, and then before the climb up to the moors there is a turnoff to Swainby which would have been less than a mile downhill into Swainby.

As it was I was wiped out by the time I got to Swainby. I couldn't get into the acconodation until 6 so I went for some food at the village pub. I definitely picked up some new blisters on this leg. The topo trail shoes are really comfy, but are proving not to be a match for the altras.

24 miles, 760 ft ascent. 10 Hour 44 minutes

Ciast to Coast day 8 May 26 2026

 Grinton - Brompton on Swale 

Another hot day in store, so I set of early 5:39 (and took my yha room key with me!!). Last night some lunatic was playing a bloody trombone in the yha at 9:30!!

Lovely evening last night with Anne, Erica, and the kids. Definitely upped my morale, so the wobble from the previous day is now gone. There was a little bit of climbing as I passed through the villages of Marrick and Marske, and it seemed I was in the outskirts of Richmond fairly quickly( I had been going for 5 or 6 hours)

Some of my new friends

Farmyard at Brompton on Swale

River Swale near Grinton early morning

Super hot again. I found a bench at the village of Marske and stopped for breakfast - it was a brilliant idea to take an insulated bottle that I could put boiling water so I could have a brew on the trail. In Richmond I found a small supermarket to top up my supply of paracetemol, and then found a cafe for a brew and a toasted sandwich (perfect). Next I popped in an outdoor shop abd bought a pair of sunglasses, and finally found the tourist info point to point me in the right direction out of Richmond towards Brompton on Swale ( this is where I left the official trail for a few miles).

Breakfast

Lovely woods after leaving Marske

Just after the main climb of the day near Applegarth Scar (I think?)

Richmond

St Mary's Richmond

River Swale on the outskirts of Richmond

Just leaving Richmond and heading to Brompton on Swale

Brompton on Swale bunkhouse - I got a room to myself

The last few miles to Brompton on Swale were straightforward with a stretch of road walking just before reaching the village. The bunkbarn was perfect - shop over the road, pub 100 yards away and the whole place dripping character. Just before getting my food in the pub I met the manager from the YHA , on his way honme from work, and handed my key back.

This was in the lounge /common room at the bunkbarn

An excellent day's walking.

15.5 miles. 8 Hours 11 mins. Ascent 1392 ft