40km, 1620m ascent, took 10 hours (no rest)
Couldn't sleep well last night - anxiety for today's walk. I had not covered so much distance in a single day before, moreover, the challenging Northumberland terrain! I got up at 3plus am (SIAO!), and waited till 5 plus am for daylight. Had a heavy breakfast - essential calories for later.
Set off 0545 in the dim daylight, and ... got lost at the start! Had made a wrong turn and the more I walked, the more I felt I was not on the correct Pennine Way path. I detoured, wasting about 30min. The wind had picked up as I gained height. Fog set in too, together with the irritating drizzle. I didn't feel good at all. Thoughts of giving up kept bugging me especially when I was at the initial part of the terrible boggy terrain. My boots had become wet within the first half hour. Sigh...would have to endure that for the next 10-13 hours!
Although I gained height while still half asleep, the steep ascent to Windy Gyle, followed by the intermittently slabbed climb to the Auchope Cairn duckboard promenade took the wind out of me. The excessive slabbing had indeed helped make the single day's effort more achievable. Thanks man! The final significant climb up The Schil had been very demanding. My tired legs could no longer maintain the rhythmic ascent. I chose to stop several times to catch my breath. Altogether the day had involved a total of over 1600m ascent (or a vertical mile). Despite how exhausted I got, I chose to jog at some easier sections, hoping to end the ordeal as early as possible. I could feel the pressure I was giving to my bad ankle. It will get worse...but it's the last day so who cares?
The heavy rain which got me TOTALLY DRENCHED inside out came and went, bringing the bright sun in, making the last section of my walk a pleasant and encouraging one. :) I realised the beauty of the Cheviots then!
I dragged my feet into the FINAL destination - Kirk Yetholm (in Scotland!) Hooray! O-V-E-R...OVER! Satisfaction... Mmmm... Couldn't believe that I had just walked up all the way from Peak District! Crazy me, but it had been challenging. Indeed, the Pennine Way is Britain's most challenging long-distance route! I signed the guestbook in Border Hotel and received a certificate of completion (didn't expect this actually). As always, walks would end with a pint - BEST (Scotland's lager). I only paid the price for half a pint as the other half was the courtesy of the Hotel...how nice! :)
Got a cab to Berwick and then a train to Newcastle. Sun Wen and Faith were home...how nice to have friends around after a long walk. :) So, what's next? Great Glen Way (Scotland) in next Easter definitely! 6 days for that --> nothing challenging after been through a 20-day walk...Haaa....
Cheerio, for now!
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