Day 14: By All of Us

Beks here. We wandered through mist-covered Moors this morning. By noon, the sun had burnt the mist away, and we were able to see out across the blooming heath to rolling green pastures. We stopped for lunch along a stone path and chatted while we ate packed ham sandwiches, crisps, and Cadbury chocolate bars. Then we marched through two towns, across a few bridges, past more sheep, and into a forest where Kat and I alternately looked for Robin Hood's hideout and secretly wished his gang would ambush us. Another town, a manor house, and one very steep road, and we arrived at Lisvane B&B in Grosmont. One day left til we reach the North Sea.

Katie here. What Beks said--yeah, so NOT how today went. No. Today began with thunderous applause, an obnoxious drum roll, and me tap dancing with Michael Flatley. Then Sarah sat on my head.
Duh, yes. I had been dreaming. 
The day went downhill from there.
Literally.
I don't particularly recall any lush "rolling green pastures" or lovely breaks for "ham sandwiches, crisps and Cadbury chocolate bars." No. This morning included a ghostly fog, gentle rainfall, soggy shoes, murky bogs, trickling streams, and damp clothes. As expected, here follows my stream of consciousness (points to whomever can spot the common denominator): I'm wet. It's misting. My socks are soggy. Mom has stuffed three water bottles in my backpack. Squelchy sheep. Raindrops on roses (and whiskers on kittens). Hoover dam. Noah's Ark. Niagara Falls...
Congratulations, people. The common denominator: water. And we were ten miles out from the nearest village. And the whole earthly realm was utterly FLAT.
And no, I was never properly enrolled in Girl Scouts (thanks, Mom) as a child. Thus, Surviving Nature 101 never made it into my school curriculum. Don't judge.
To be honest, I remember little else about today other than it being vastly uncomfortable. But roughly four (six?) cappuccinos later, it ended beautifully despite my previous complaints.

Rachel here. Today was an incredible day with my girls. Though the weather was cold, rainy, and very misty (I could not see past the cars outside my window), we donned our rain gear, grabbed our lunches, and began the Moffett March--Sarah leads. Katie and Beks follow, and I bring up the rear. Fourteen miles--averaging 3 miles/hour through the Moors. Great trail--the rain abated, and our rain gear came off. The skies began to clear by lunch time. We left at 9am and arrived at our destination by 2 pm. Yeah! I then went to Katie's salon and had my hair and make-up done (want to look good for Dennis on Saturday so Katie is trying some new hairdos and make-up on me--smiles).
Tomorrow is our final walk. I'm already playing "Chariots of Fire" in my head and the theme song from "Remember the Titans" when they score the victory touch down and the little girl screams "Wahoo!" Yes: this is our time. God has blessed, given His enabling grace, and I will forever remember this moment with my girls and be ever grateful to God who gave us strength and protection, and to Dennis, whose heart and money went with me. Thank you all for praying.

Sarah on today.  Veni, vidi, vici.* As set to a playlist featuring Goldfrapp, Bat for Lashes, Muse and J.K. Rowling.**

* "I came, I saw, I conquered" as reportedly said by Julius Caesar after yet another conquest.
** As I type this, the twins are attacking one another in their room.  Beks to Katie - "stop attacking me with bobby pins!"  Katie - "And forgive those who trespass against us..." Beks - "I can forgive you a lot better if you stayed on your side of the bed."  Katie (pleading) - "have some compassion," as she throws herself across Beks' side of the bed.  Beks bails out of bed and throws a pillow at Katie.  Katie - "you're sooooo sensitive..."  Mom came in to check on them.  Katie informed her that she was making too much noise.  I'm leaving now. It's safer.  Somewhere.