Final Day on the Pennine Way

I did it. 19 days walking and I completed the Pennine Way.

The Cheviots are lovely. I’ve never walked in them before. Fantastic views over an undulating landscape.

Yes, there was a bit of flagged bog, but the sky was blue, nearly all the time, one heavy shower. The upwards undulations were not too steep, nor the downs.

Only marred by strong winds which certainly impeded walking, and substantial buffeting. Quoted from MWIS.

Definitely one of the best days on my journey. To end the adventure with a few ‘trail mates’ I had made along the way made it all the more special. Thanks guys!

Reflections. It was a ‘challenge’. Not that I every thought of giving up but there were times I wished I was home. I carried all I needed, not a tent as I stayed in B&Bs. Deliberately not weighing my pack until I’d finished. 10kg without water and food. In the heat wave I carried 3L, 3kg of water.

Unfortunately the early days were marred by bad weather. Then a couple of the best days in the Yorkshire Dales were drowned in mist. Then a heatwave! I’d rather melt than dissolve. Three weeks in the UK will hardly ever be stable.

Honestly, I found some sections incredibly boring, even when I could seen them. For example, the day to Greenhead. I even resorted to listening to podcasts! Malham to Hornton in Ribblesdale was one of the best days. Even though I’ve been several times before, I don’t think I’ve ever had such a good view from the top of Pen y Ghent. That also applies to Cross Fell. I could see from Ullswater to the Cheviots!

Nature did prove a winner regarding wild flowers. June must be the best time to go. Outstanding in Teesdale. Despite the tedious landscape the ‘ground nesting birds’ , curlews, skylarks, sandpipers, to name a few, provided a fabulous soundscape.

Having fabulous sunshine for the last two days rounded it all off on a good note. Especially as I had the ‘trail mates’, by coincidence, my cousin, who was walking St Cuthbert’s Way, and then Chris who brought me home!!

It was certainly not the best long distance walk I have ever done. Would I recommend it? Only if you want to do it for ‘the challenge’, not the views.