Yesterday was my birthday – I won’t say how old I am but, put it this way, I could, if I was so inclined, officially draw down on my pension if I wanted to – how did that happen! 🤣

Not being that great with social media, it’s always nice to get birthday wishes this way, especially when you hear from people you may not be in touch with regularly! Thank you to everyone who took time to get in touch 😁❤️😘

We decided to stay local yesterday and started out on a walk along the river Swale which then turned into an unexpected walk up a big hill… we ended up walking along the ridge opposite to Reeth and whilst it was a steep climb initially, once up there (around 430m), the view was very nice! Even better was the path down which came out almost opposite the Dales Bike Cafe & Cakery… well, it would have been rude not to… although having a cake for a starter followed by another cake for main course, I didn’t have room for a pudding 🤣🤣🤣! Well, it was my birthday! 🤣

Later on, we went over to The Bridge Inn in Grinton where Pete treated me to a birthday dinner (avoided pudding again!) – all in all, I had a lovely day!

Today, we have driven 40 miles into part of Teesdale and onto Cumbria so that we could do our walk up to High Cup Nick which is where Dad’s ashes are… it was quite a murky day and, as we climbed the 2.75 miles up the hill, there was a real possibility that we would not be able to see anything from the top! We persevered though and, fortunately, the cloud lifted by the time we got to the top…

According to the internet, “High Cup Nick is a classic U-shaped valley high on the western flanks of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)”. It is also described as a “hidden gem” with “breathtaking” views… which is why Dad wanted his ashes scattered here…

It was blumming freezing up there today though! 🥶 A really cold wind blowing which meant that we didn’t hang around too long… Pete planted a couple of alpine bulbs whilst I had a WhatsApp video call to Romania with brother Andy… it was nice to see him, my niece Romanista & Titus (my sister-in-law’s Dad)… think it has helped make up our minds that our long-postponed road trip to Romania (postponed due to COVID) might need to be completed in the next year or so! Expect a visit you guys! ❤️

The walk up to High Cup Nick always takes us around 1 hour & 45 mins – the walk down, about half that! It was good to watch the local farmers with their working dogs rounding up the sheep too… but I was glad to get back down and warmed up again in the car! Thank the Lord for heated car seats!

A quick stop in Appleby for some supplies and then we drove back via Tan Hill – the highest pub in Great Britain. It’s many years since we have been here – the last time was probably when we did the stretch of the Pennine Way that takes in Tan Hill… I remember we stopped for a glass of sherry (once Mum’s favourite tipple!) – can’t remember why though but think it was because it’s about half way – that’s around 135 miles of the 270 mile long, Pennine Way! However, in them days I didn’t need much of an excuse or persuasion to have a drink! 🤣🤣🥴 As you can see from the pics below, there wasn’t much of a view today & we didn’t hang around long!

Tan Hill is 528 metres (1732 feet) above sea level and, situated in North Yorkshire close to the borders of both County Durham & Cumbria, is about 10 miles from it’s nearest town (and 4 miles from their nearest neighbours!)…

Well, my little birthday trip is nearly over and we will head back home through the Dales tomorrow with perhaps a stop near to Bolton Abbey (nearer Barden Tower) for a quick walk around The Strid… I have really enjoyed our break in Grinton and am sure we will be back again – probably this time next year for Bonfire Night!

Night night x