Day 11: Death March. Take Two.

25 miles.  As in how far we walked that day.  It was awesome.

Leaving from Richmond Castle, we promptly got lost.  After tacking on three unnecessary miles, we got back on the right path and followed the River Swale past places called Easby Abbey,  Coldburn Hall, Danby Wisk, and Longlands Farm.  We walked over Catterick Bridge, past swan ponds and through miles of wheat and barley fields.  There was climbing through hedges, waving at sheep, and sliding along muddy trails through the woods.  Highlights included our packed lunches, tea at the White Swan, and Beks and Katie being charged by a large, unhappy cow.   Fortunately, they screamed like (the) little girls (that they are).  

Scene:  We’re at mile 16.  We are tired.  We are in cow field number 27.  We have just climbed over yet another stile.  We are single file.  Rachel and Sarah pass without incident.  Then the beady eyed cow spots the twins.  Waiting until they pass, she comes up behind them kicking her feet and bucking her head.  Thus, the screaming.  Rachel turns, “it’s going to be okay!” and begins to move between the twins and the cow.  Katie replies “it is not okay!” and puts her dance muscles to good use to get out of the field.  Beks follows.  Sarah walks on, undisturbed.   End scene.

This scene was followed by 9 more miles of picturesque fields.  Cows.  Sheep.  And more fields.  We arrived at Ingleby Cross, where Sarah trudged off to find everyone food and Rachel, Beks and Katie were submitted to B&B Orientation for an hour with the inestimable Josephine.  Tea, food and showers later, we dissolved into our beds. 

(Not exactly the same cow, but this was the face she gave us.)