DAY 11 : ENGLAND : RICHMOND to DANBY WISKE - 24kms - 7hours

We were farewelled by our wonderful host of the Greengate Guest House, Ralph, who, if you closed your eyes, could be mistaken for Peter Cundell of Gardening Australia fame. He recommended that we ignore the official route and veer towards Eastby Abbey, a mile away.

Leaving Richmond along the River Swale

 We took his advice and walked towards the abbey which is a very impressive landmark. It, like Shard Abbey, was found by French monks in the eleventh century. It is an impressive landmark, with much of the original framework in tact. It was built about the same time as Richmond Castle after the Norman conquest. There was supposedly a tunnel built between the two in case of incursions by the Scots.

Easby Abbey

Next to the abbey is St Agatha's church. It also was built in the eleventh century but has an eighth century cross and frescoes that date back to the thirteenth century.

12th century frescoes in St Agatha's church

We left the pristine dale country today and walked along farms and scrubby walkways. We've entered agricultural country - cows (no sheep), corn and barley. The Vale of Mowbray is prime agricultural land and has the important distinction of being the lowest point of altitude on the Coast to Coast walk. The towns are not as attractive, in a tourist sense, but none the less have interesting facets. For example, Carrick, where there is a large military base, has a history dating back to the Romans, when Agricola in 87 AD built a fort there.

Walking in the Vale of Mowbray

 In Bolton-on-Swale we stopped for lunch as at St Mary's church there is a memorial for Henry Jenkins, who is supposedly to have lived for 169 years.

Click to enlarge

Lunch with Henry Jenkins  - 169 years young

We walked along flat and continuous paths and were very pleased to see a sign to Kiplin Hall ...and its tearooms. Despite being hot and sweaty, we enjoyed our afternoon tea in very solubrious surroundings - a very attractive Victorian country house.



Slumming it at Kiplin Hall



At 4.30 we arrived at Danby Wiske - a very small town - dependent on the Coast to Coast walkers for the summer income. We are staying at the Old School House next to the pub, The White Swan. Julie had checked the Tripadvisor reports and there was a comment that the host was very welcoming, indeed, amorous. Unfortunately, his wife was the only one to greet us. But...not long afterwards, he arrived..and he did not disappoint. We made a hasty retreat to the White Swan, where we'd made a booking for dinner.

Drinks with Doreen in her garden in Danby Wiske

An absolutely gorgeous day weather-wise..and so many different aspects of English countryside and towns to enjoy.