Ingleby Cross to Clay bank top

Today was supposed to have been a rest day, but as the next walk was to be in excess of 20 miles it was decided that they would walk 12 miles today and 10 tomorrow.  It all sounded a good idea, the only trouble was the rain and lots of it!  They started at Ingleby Cross at about 8.15 am, which was early as it was only 15 minutes from the house.

 Apparently it didn't stop raining all the time, and was extremely misty over the high ground; it was one of those days where it was head down and get to the end as quickly as possible.  So we picked up some very soggy walkers from Clay bank top at about 1.30.  It must have rained more over the high ground than lower as we did have a few moments of no rain on lower ground.  So we brought them back to the house for baths, showers, hot tea and cake.

Carol decided to get to grips with the Aga cooker in the kitchen so made 2 cakes.  Apparently the Hairy Bikers rented the house for a couple of months to record some programs here, so we can say we've used the same cooker as them - is that a claim to fame?!! 

This house would seem to belong to John Sutcliffe, an ex MP for Middlesbrough, whose Father was Sir Harold Sutcliffe who was also an MP and an expert in the cotton trade.  We think his children now manage it as a holiday home.

I popped to the shop again for a couple of things we had forgotten to ask Sainsburys to deliver; amazingly I didn't need to buy wine or beer.

Pat preparing dinner at the butchers table and cooking on the Aga

This afternoon, everyone has enjoyed relaxing around the fire in the lounge, or catching up on a bit of sleep, or spending an hour or so in the bath.  Tomorrows weather looks better thankfully.

 

A game of trivial pursuit saw the boys win by a whisker!!