Day 11/20 The Pennine Way 429km - Tan Hill to Middleton-in-Teesdale - 7 Aug 2009

25.8km, 651m ascent, took 7.75 hours (a few 5min rests)

A similar hot day which drained all my energy. The lack of water forced me to finish 4 tubes of Mentos: Sugar...I needed it so badly! Also, my left ankle was still not alright - a little swollen. :(

After a cooked full English breakfast at Tan Hill Inn, I started downhill, descending into the sheep-shallowing wastes and boggy grounds of Sleightholme Moor (where I got lost and wasted some precious time). White-topped posts marked the way intermittently and all passed agreeably with the brook (Frumming Beck) trickling by my side until I bridged it and took to a road which led me to Sleightholme Farm.





























I got lost (again!), forgetting to take an earlier left turn. Another waste of time due to backtracking to the junction where I clambered up and over Wytham Moor, then dropping down to the River Greta at God's Bridge. The bright yellow flowers looked beautiful under the bright daylight. Great photographs!










Here at the Stainmore Gap, I scurried under the highway A66 via a litter-strewn underpass. The brief shelter from the scorching sun gave me a few chances to catch my breath and cool down. My leg muscles seemed very unhelpful. I felt lethargic, energy drained! The roar of the traffic reminded me of the M62 back in the far distant past.


Despite the exhausion, I persevered and found my way up and over Bowes Moor and Race Yate (very slowly) to drop back among the reservoirs which now filled Baldersdale - the halfway mark of the Pennine Way. Dear me...it's only halfway! It had felt so long!









My energy was further dampened with the hill climb over to Lunedale and another over Harter Fell (where I got lost again!) The emergence of Middleton ahead was a great relief as it meant a final descent down to my destination. All the ups and downs today had not been very appealing as the weather was too hot! The arrival at Belvedere House (B&B) was a pleasant reward. Dinner was junk food (ice-cream, chips, soya bean drink, fruits) from Co-op. Low budget, but it tasted great!