Northallerton

We got a bit wet today.  We met a man from South Bank who gave us some money for the GVCAC, which was a nice surprise,  if he reads this perhaps he can drop me a line as I have forgotten his name?

Ripon (off)

Started the day with a £15 bus fare and ended it in the Little Chef. 

Knaresborough

A short day and a bit thundery.  We did manage to walk via Hell Hole (images below, but not as exciting as it sounds).

Isaac found a potato.

Hell Hole

Wetherby (Saturday 27 July)

A bit of a rubbish day.  Set off late.  Had planned a route that crossed the river Wharfe on a footbridge but found it was closed when we got about half a mile from it.  The detour would have added 4 miles so we walked into Wetherby and gave up for the day.

On the plus side we got free cakes from the butcher in East Keswick.

The very annoying sign just as we were about to cross the main road and walk down to the river.

Each of these trees was planted in 1920 to commemorate someone killed in the Great War.   There is also a small memorial with two seats in the shade.   I now judge every village on whether I can buy cold drinks and sit in the shade.  East Keswick scores very high as it has several benches and the butcher gave us free food.

Leeds (Cross Gates) Friday 26 July

Started too late and it was too hot.

Wakefield (Thursday 25 July)

We had an early start and left Barnsley at 6.10am.  We walked for 6 hours but still managed to be home for 2pm.

Barnsley

A trip through the very cream of South Yorkshire ending at Barnsley.   

Tomorrow we are planning a 5am start to a 12 mile walk between Barnsley and Wakefield so that we will be done by 11am.

Feet much better now with no pain until about the 10 mile point

Thorpe Hesley

Decided to walk a bit further in the afternoon.   Most of the way was along  a path next to the M1.

North Sheffield

Today we all got up at 5am to do some  miles before the storms started.  Failed miserably, so here are some pictures of wet people.   

On the plus side we did get back home for 9am and a cooked breakfast.  

Sheffield - Monday 22nd July 2013

Today I reached Sheffield. Since Thursday I have been coming home each night on the train or bus and spending the night at home. The next morning I have been setting out to where I got to the day before. The route has been:- Lichfield Burton On Trent Derby Chesterfield Sheffield Fot the next week I will also be coming home each evening until I get north or Leeds at which point I am back to camping and staying in the odd Travelodge. Here are a selection of images of the journey since Lichfield. Much of it was accompanied by Isaac, and some of it by other children.

Just south of Lichfield (Wednesday)

A very hot day walking through Birmingham.   We were aiming for Lichfield but gave up just south of the city.   Took a total of 5 trains back to sheffield so we could spend the night at home.  

Images to follow

Birmingham (Tuesday)

I met Isaac off the train today at Bromsgrove at 1.10pm so it was a late start.   We walked along B roads for a while and then back on canals until almost into the city centre.  

Bromsgrove - Monday 15 July

Today I managed to walk to Bromsgrove but my left foot hurts with every step.  I thought a few days off might fix it but it is exactly the same.   The only solution I can think of is to walk a long way on it and hope it gets better.

Today was another day mostly on canals.  Much of this trip is along waterways as they are flat, and I am old.

Worcester

Managed to walk to Worcester, mostly along the Severn Way, but with a few diversions. On the plus side this meant that there were plenty of tea shops in villages. However, my left foot is both rotten, and also sprained, so I am having a few days off now that I am a few days ahead. My next day will be Worcester to Bromsgrove, and a week later I will be in Sheffield.