Day 17 Clay Bank Top to Blakey Ridge (14.4 Km, total ascent 425m)

Day 17 Clay Bank to Blakey Ridge (14.4 Km, total ascent 425m)

At breakfast this morning, Judy our host provided a delicious range of local cheeses as well as the usual breakfast fare and it was difficult to leave the warmth of West Cote to head back to the route at Clay Bank.  

Today was the easiest day of the walk, with only about 14 Km on a good track, one uphill climb at the beginning then fairly flat with the last 8 Km on a walkway that was previously a railway line.  

Today's route.

The weather was cloudy with intermittent showers and strong winds.  We endured a storm shower with  gale force winds, driving rain and hail but fortunately the hail only lasted about 15 minutes.  We saw several grouse along with other birds.  A flock of seagulls appeared overhead for a few minutes showing we are getting closer to the coast even if we were still more than 50 km away.  There are lovely views down the Farndale valley on this section of the walk.  We reached The Lion Inn in time for lunch and had a relaxing afternoon.

Above Chop Gate mist covers the moor.

We bid farewell to Judy at West Cote.

Looking back from Clay Bank Top the mist on the moor, but a view to the north.

We see and hear plenty of grouse today.

And a lonely sheep.

More sheep and moor mist.

The mist rolls in.

The Hand Stone.

Gary with the Face Stone.

The Face Stone with Urra Moor trig point in the distance.

Elaine prods a route through the mud.

For a brief moment, seagulls appear overhead, but we are still 50 Km from the coast.

View over the Moor to Farndale.

Water on the moor.

Farndale in the mist.

It's very windy and these sheep have found a sheltered spot in a Grouse Butt (a hide for grouse shooters)

Across the moor to Farndale.

The sun comes out for a few minutes so we have a snack of crisps.

Panoramic view of Farndale

Looking straight down the dale.

Farndale surrounded by moorland.

The Lion Inn, our destination, comes into view.

One last small climb up to the Lion Inn, a walkers oasis in the moor.

We arrive at The Lion in time for lunch.

And in the evening enjoy a good meal