Day 2/4 Yorkshire Water Way v1 66km Walk - Middlesmoor to Pateley Bridge - 18 May 2008

The terrible weather yesterday ended, and a bright sunny morning welcomed me. The positive attitude of rambling returned. :) The freezing night was unbearable and I scrambled out of my tent the moment dawn broke at 3am. I started my 2nd day of walk at about 5am. Abrasions between the thighs had developed. Was wearing the waterproof black pants now, after throwing away the torn and muddy pants I wore yesterday. Decided to take the dry, easy-walking roads to avoid any 'muddy disasters' again, like the previous day.









It was an easy day, all thanks to the decision of taking the road. That was the unofficial path though, but I couldn't care any more. I had to be safe and strong for my coming exams in a few days time. Passed alongside Gouthwaite Reservoir. It was beautiful on a sunny day like this. Stopped for a short meal at one of the picnic tables by the road and reservoir. I had lots of time in hand, hence was not pressurised by anything.









Finally and very quickly, I reached Pateley Bridge - the 'capital' of Nidderdale, a lovely old town of gritstone houses lining a steep High Street with many hidden side-streets to be explored. Before I started exploring the town, I set up my tent at the caravan/ camping park. I was shocked when I found out that the cost for setting up a tent per night was 12 pounds! Shockingly expensive! Anyway, it seemed that I had the smallest tent in the whole campsite. Most campers had their caravans parked. It made me feel quite embarassed.








Lunch was fish and chips at a cafe. Full and satisfied. :) I then returned to the campsite for a shower and then back into my tent to do some revision. A nap folllowed, having lack of sleep the night before. Sleeping during the day felt so much better. At least it was warmer and I could fall asleep easily.




Suddenly I was woken up by a male's voice calling my name. I woke up with a jump, realising that it was the campsite staff who came to return me 6 pounds, explaining that my tent was a small one and they had made a mistake in charging me too much initially. While still in a half-asleep mode, I accepted the money, and returned back to sleeping mode. Haa....

Dinner time. Got a sandwich and juice. Ate at a park's bench while I studied for my exam at the same time. It was quite a different feel to study outside. Never tried it before but hopefully it would not affect my concentration. And...it did not, fortunately.

Wore 4 layers of clothes before sleeping, but it did not help at all. Was shivering very badly the entire night, only realising how cold it was in the next morning... -2 degrees!!! Can you believe it???!!!