Day 15/20 The Pennine Way 429km - Alston to Once Brewed* - 11 Aug 2009

less than 38.6km, 993m ascent, took 8 hours (15min rest)

It was not a very memorable day. Breakfast as usual, then off I went, heading towards Slaggyford - a residential village with no services. Instead of following the actual Pennine Way which followed the South Tyne Trail and the Maiden Way (former Roman Road), I took on the roads which involved more even walking. Once or twice, I tried going on the proper field paths, but my ankle had hurt, hence I gave up the thought. So instead of heading up to the misery Blenkinsopp common and Black Hill, I was on the road to Haltwhistle - the center of Britain (a point equidistant from all shores).













Having arrived early in the afternoon, I decided to continue to Once Brewed (my planned destination for the following day actually). I called to cancel and make amendments to my accommodation arrangement. No harm done since nothing was paid yet. It had started to drizzle then.

I finally arrived at Once Brewed YHA. Would be a rest day tomorrow! Yipee! :) Although ahead of schedule, I questioned my conscience: I didn't follow the proper Pennine Way path. Took a short cut but at least I had arrived by foot. Due to that, I missed a section of the Hadrian's Wall. But no worries, I would be walking the other part of the Wall 2 days later. Stop thinking too much, you've made it by pure WALKING. Time to relax now. :)