Day 13 - Ingleby Cross to Claybank

Sherpa Maj has been slipping recently, so we are trying out a new assistant, Sherpa Maggie.  So far she's promising. Her first words when we come in are "fancy a brew?"  She even brings it up to the  bath for you!

We think we'll keep her!

The day started promisingly. The sun was shining and it looked like the day was going to be full of adventure. However, sadly, Toby hurt his paw and was limping badly this morning, and couldn't join us.

As we followed the forest track up to the Cleveland Way, we were surrounded by pheasant. The local farmer had recently spread grain all over the track and they were coming at it from all sides.

 The views definitely started to improve over what we had seen over the last 3 days.

As we reached this point, we ran into the Three Stooges from Melbourne.  We first met them yesterday and found it quite entertaining to walk with them.

As we climbed, the views got more and more spectacular

 It was quite ironic that the Air Ambulance flew below us as we climbed up to the Moors. 

The North Yorkshire Moors in all their glory.  As we got onto the Moors, we bumped into Bill and Ben from Cumbria.  We first met them on day 4 and our paths have crossed most days.

 The rest of the day became quite strenuous.  There was a lot of climbing up, and then climbing back down again!  Jelly legs by the time we got to our destination, but the views were to die for!

 We got caught in a shower as we climbed up onto the moors, but as the showers moved away, the views left you breathless, literally!!!!!!

 As we stopped for lunch, we felt like we were sitting on top of the world!

 Thirteen days and still smiling!

We climbed to 432 feet and found this monument to a walker.  From here we could see Middlesbrough and all the major landmarks around.

 Windswept, but still stunning!

 Our final climb for the day - Claybank

As we reached the end of Claybank, all we had to do was descend down to the road into the waiting arms of Sherpas Maj and Maggie and Toby sitting miserably in the back of the car!!!

Tomorrow, we will be finishing at The Lion Inn in Blakey Moor.  Many days ago, when we were crossing from Grassmere to Patterdale, we bumped into a guy called Malcolm. He and his wife Gaynor run this pub and we promised to stop in and say hello.