Richmond to Danby Wiske

Rain was forecast for the afternoon so we left Richmond at a good pace to try and complete as much of the walk as possible without getting wet! There was a good view of Richmond Castle from the southern bank of the river Swale. The 'A' party did their first loop of the day and did a quick circuit of the castle before crossing over the river.

This was a very flat walk which made a pleasant change and passed largely through farming country. The rain duly arrived as promised at 2.00 pm but fortunately only lasted half an hour so we had time to dry off before the end of the walk. About half way through the walk we could hear the roar of traffic on the A1 and we passed underneath it before reaching Catterick.

Wainwright in his coast to coast book says 'The author made attempts to vary the 8 miles of road walking.......only to be beaten back to the tarmac by barbed wire, dykes, too friendly bovines and other obstacles'. We know how he felt! This particular group of Dexter cattle were desperate to join our party and protested loudly when we left them behind, only stopping to pose for a photograph.

The promise of the pub at Danby Wiske kept us all going but unfortunately the landlord of the White Swan was nowhere to be seen and cyclists and walkers alike were left out in the cold and wet. Just as the rain started again William arrived to save the day and we made an early return to the comforts of home. Only 60 miles to go now!