Coast to Coast - Day 13 (Part 2)

Lion Inn to Littlebeck Intake Farm - 18 miles

It was a very noisy night. The wind was howling, my tent was shaking but luckily my snoring got lost in all of this. I woke about 10 times, but once I checked, the tent was still in one piece, and I passed out quickly. The pub was locked up at night, so at 6.59 a.m., I was by the main door willing it to open by itself. Luckily, a lady arrived exactly at 7 a.m.. so I could warm up and start packing. As the pub was huge and nobody was up yet, I moved everything inside and sorted all my stuff out with a lovely roof over my head. When I woke up, the sun was just rising, and the views were lovely. When I was ready to leave, however, the sun was nowhere to be seen, and everything else, for that matter, sort of disappeared. The rain was not the issue. The wind was. First, it was behind me (great), then it was beside me (not so great), and then, of course, it was pushing me backwards from the front (most definitely bad). It was a struggle to walk a straight line, not even to mention boggy ground with massive puddles everywhere. Then, of course, the rain started to pour down from every available angle. I didn't have a chance in hell to stay dry or to keep any of my stuff dry for that matter. I simply did the most logical thing: I carried on with a smile and just laughed at the absurdity of it all. The first sign of blue sky merited a photo session. This lasted exactly 4.7 minutes when the heavens opened up again.

Breaks were out of the question until the very first pub, 9 miles away. Just before I got there, I had to cross a small field, and as a stupid wire was in front of the gate, I thought I'd simply move it. Blimey was my scream loud. The bloody thing was electrified, and it zapped me like a bullet. I definitely got my second wind after that.

The pub was like a meeting place for every single person I met on this trip. We chatted, drank a steaming hot drink and attempted a very futile activity called: dry our clothes. 30 minutes later, I was on the road so I could make the remaining 8 miles still in the light. Just when I got into a lonely forest, the heavens decided to pour a big bucket full of water on us again. The muddy terrain only added to this amazing atmosphere. Somehow, I walked the next 3.5 miles in record time, and my mini breaks, corresponding to finding a dry bench, were short but refreshing. The last 4.5 miles were a bit more ... interesting. First of was a 33% long ascent to the top of the moor followed by swamp-like paths but luckily no wind or rain so, YEAY. Just when I was on the last 2 miles, I noticed the sea in the distance for the very first time. AAHHH and selfie moment of course.

Once I arrived in Littlebeck, I started my walk to the farm that Alby (thanks again ) mentioned in his camping chart. I honestly could have cried when I noticed the incline on this road. However, once I arrived, all of it was forgotten, and I only had good news for the rest of the night.

The shower is not usually available for campers, but they made an exception for me. Breakfast was fully booked, so Judith kindly agreed to make a Bacon and egg sarnie. My clothes were absolutely soaked, so they let me put them up in their living room to dry overnight. And the best for last; when I told them my sleeping bag was wet from all the downpours, they gave me 2 thick blankets. Without this, I would have had a cold and damp night.

People sometimes ask me why I do this kind of thing to myself. The answer varies between challenge, independence, freedom, peace and quiet, mental cleansing, physical fitness, etc. but there is another. Getting reaffirmation of the power of human kindness. Nothing compares. Thank you, Robert and Judith, for making me feel welcome and taking extra good care of me. I am very grateful.

Tomorrow's forecast is looking promising, so my shades and suncream will make a special appearance oh yeah, baby.

12 miles to go until the finish line.

I'm sad that it's ending and excited that it is. Robin Hood's Bay, here I come.