Day 16 Ingleby Cross to Clay Bank Top (20.1 Km, total ascent 1018 m)

Day 16 Ingleby Cross to Clay Bank Top (20.1 Km, total ascent 1018 m)

After a hearty breakfast, we head off uphill through Arncliffe Woods and onto Scarth Wood Moor.  Today we followed a clear and well marked path which is part of the Cleveland Way, so no navigational issues and a good path underfoot.  We met a dutch couple we had last seen in Patterdale and also met a couple from Alaska also doing the Coast to Coast.  We also met two men from Hertfordshire walking the Cleveland Way.

The route today.

There were a lot of ups and downs through the day which added up to the second highest total elevation gain for the route.  This was surprising as it certainly wasn't the second hardest day for us, perhaps it was because the path was so easy to walk along.  There were marvellous panoramic views of around 180 degrees  to the north and intermittent lovely views down the series of valleys that penetrate the moors.  For the first time, we saw the North Sea in the far distance beyond the industrial city of Middlesbrough.

At lunchtime we stopped at Lord Stones Cafe Restaurant which suddenly appeared like a mirage after the blustery cold track over Carlton Moor.  After an hour break for lunch we had a two hour walk to Clay Bank Top where we were met by our hosts and taken to their farm, our B&B for the night.

The day starts with drizzling rain as we walk up through Arncliffe Woods

And we reach the top for a sweeping view back towards he Pennines.

Panorama looking back across the Vale of Mowbray towards the Pennines.

A treed mound in the view which we could see for most of the day.

A good paved path to walk along.

The pointy bit is Roseberry Topping, another landmark seen throughout the day.

We have a panoramic view all day. Middlesborough in the distance.

Middlesbrough in the distance and our first glimpse of the North Sea,.

We walk through moorland with the two guys from Hertfordshire  walking the Cleveland  Way.

Gary at the cairn on Live Moor.

The weather threatens and we are battered by strong winds.

But we have a clear view.

Elaine at the trig point on Carlton Moor, with adjacent boundary maker.

Fantastic views all day long, we can see for miles

 We descended from the moor and arrived at Lord Stones Bar and Restaurant which was very busy.
It was unexpected and almost surreal going from the bleak and empty moor with our muddy boots (overshoes provided inside the door) straight into a bustling restaurant in the middle of nowhere, full of well dressed people including a group celebrating a marriage.

After a meal and drink we stepped out and back up onto the isolation of the moor and the blustery wind.

Today had lots of ups and downs, we climbed a total of 1018m, surprisingly the second highest total on our route.

The next climb ahead to the Wain Stones and Hasty Bank.

We saw several pheasants today.

Wain Stones.

Gary at the Wain Stones.

Elaine climbs through the Wain Stones.

Looking back to Cringle Moor from the Wain Stones

Looking down the valley towards Chop Gate.

A grouse nesting in the heather at Hasty Bank.

The view from West Cote, our accommodation for the night.

Shortly after we arrived, there was a break in the weather with blue sky for the first time in days.  It will not last as the forecast for tomorrow is for strong winds and thundery showers. It will be a cold, bleak and wet day across the moors.

Shortly after we arrive there is some clearing of the clouds but tomorrow's forecast is for stormy weather..

And for a few minutes we can see the moon through our skylight window, then the clouds close over again..