March 12, 2016: The first hard day

The second day of a long walk tends to be the hardest.  On the first day one has fresh muscles, novelty, and a comfortable night in one’s own bed. On the second day one is stiff, sore, and the scale of the challenge starts to become apparent.  I was particularly nervous on this second day because, despite my plans to have an easy first few days, the need to find accommodation meant today was a long day with two high moorland ridges to cross.

The morning was still hazy when I left Gargrave.

There were, however, signs of spring about.

What he’s not telling you is that the ground underneath him is sodden from the very wet winter we’ve had. It makes every step an effort, as you have to wrench your boot from the suction of the ground for each step.

It was almost a relief to reachieve the moorland.  It’s amazing terrain, intimidating in its bleakness and the scarcity of features for navigation.

In The Hound of the Baskervilles the warning was given: “If you value your life, stay away from the moor”, and one can see why – one would not care to be lost up here. Even on a clear day like today, it was a relief when the field wall I was aiming for came into view.

Ans shortly afterward I was at my B&B, tired but not exhausted, and starting to think that completing this mad project might actually be possible. A long hard day, but doable.

Route: Gargrave to Ponden via Pennine Way.  Terrain: rolling fields, high moorlands. Weather: cool, overcast, dry but threatening rain. Daily distance: 25.8 km/16.0 miles. Cumulative distance: 44.4 km/27.2 miles. Accommodation: Ponden House B&B, Ponden.