The Ecstasy of Wilderness

12.9km, took 2.5 hours

This is my last hike - to celebrate the end of my undergraduate examinations as well as to conclude all my wonderful rambling in the UK. This hike may not be an outstanding one, but I am doing it because I have done the second section of the Cleveland Way, so I thought I should perhaps complete the beginning section of it from Helmsley to Kildale.

It was not easy getting myself from Newcastle to Helmsley: 1 train and 3 buses, about 3.5 hours of travelling time (a great hassle really...) The Moorsbus took me past 'Roseberry Topping' - the uniquely-looking hill which I passed last December. It was covered totally with snow then. I actually took some time before realising it was 'Roseberry Topping'! How different it had looked in summer!

I finally arrived at the busy market town of Helmsley. It was an interesting place with many unique, ancient shops. The Cleveland Way started at the cross in the market square before climbing gently uphill across fields and through woodland. Nothing exciting though. Fortunately the weather made the walking a pleasant one, but perhaps a little too windy!!!

The Way then merged with a minor road, over Rievaulx Bridge, and into a nature reserve where pools were created to attract wildfowl. I even noticed a few men out with fishing nets! The first steep climb through a forest led on to a lane that took me to Cold Kirby. It was not long before I arrived at my destination, Hambleton. After passing the Inn, I reached Cote Faw B&B - a homely accommodation beside the noisy A170. The garden was lovely. I was given a small cosy single room and could use the lounge downstairs to watch TV and do some reading. I was glad I did not have to study at night, unlike my previous Cumbria Way one. :)

24km, took 4.5 hours

I was determined to finish off the Cumbria Way. After a quick but filling B&B breakfast, I started off towards Carlisle in the hot bright sunny day. 25 degC! It felt quite horrible walking briskly in the heat and I was so afraid of getting a tan. Flies were all around me and they really irritated me as I cut through woodland and farmland. It was also a boring stretch, and low-lying all the way.

The River Caldew accompanied me throughout the walk as I passed through several villages - Sebergham, Rose Castle, Bridge End, Dalston. I also passed a fortified pathway pinched between the river and the railway. The Carlisle-to-Maryport train zoomed past minutes after, sounding a horn seconds before passing.

The last section was along the Caldew Riverside Trail, leading me all the way to Carlisle city centre and the Castle where the Cumbria Way ended! I'd to admit that the ending was a let-down, but the middle section of the Way had been one of the best walks done ever! The constant pace I took had done good to my legs as they were totally fine (which was usually not the case for my previous 6-day walks). Anyway, I caught the earliest train back to Newcastle and arrived at about 4pm. Time to catch up on my revision, do my exams, and prepare for the next hike straight after my exams: Cleveland Way (first few sections of it)... Heehee...