Sunday, 12 August 2012

9th August Port Mulgrave to Slapewath

The sun on the tent woke me before the usial alarm call at the 6 but I was reluctant to move  even when it went off and I lay there for another quarter of an hour. I got some hot water was on the stove and while it brewed I got the mess of the tent sorted. How were I we set to cope in such a small space when Josh joins me in a couple of weeks. I got ,sorted poured the water into the super quick porridge oats and crawled out of the tent and walked to the ruined harbour wall.  The tide was as high as when I last saw it twelve hours previously. I do love the sea, the constant change and moods, today calm.
I returned to the tent and took it down and went through the routine of packing. At 7.40 I was climbing back to the cliff top. I had no water left and hoped to get a cup of tea in Staithes a mile or so along the coast. No such luck, the place was deserted apart for the odd bod and gulls. I again walked up the main steep road out of the small village.
It was warm 20+ degrees as I treked via Boulby feeling pretty low but had no real reason to.  More Yellowhammer songs were around me' Swallows young and adult sat on wires or tore around chasing insect prey over the cliff top. It felt hard work harder than usual, and the lack of water did not help. Things had anindustrial side today and as I neared Skinningrove on a long descent the view was one of large metal works. The housing estates and harbour front reeked of working class steel industry.
As i gained the harbour mouth I asked five chaps sitting around if there was a shop and was directed past the pidgeon racing hut to a small shop. I bought two large bottles of energy drink and a crab roll,  the later was the filled filled with mega amounts of crab meat. It was now 11.20. I walked out via the stunning beach  with only a handful of folk on it. I walked up the dunes, sand not making it easy, sweat making my eyes sting. I gained the iron slag path and l even past a weird ring with charms dangling and an old building,  now ruined,  which acted as a fan for the mines below.
Saltburn by the sea was getting nearer by the number of folk climbing toward me .  It felt like a long hot descent. I faffed about alittle taking blog photos befote walking into a smarter than expect Salttburn.The beach was buzzing with people around the pier. Traffic on the road was bumper to bumper,tourist trade was good.
I had little food supplies and eventually found a super market where I could top up. I bought cheap nooddles and oats plus Sudocrem for my burning unclean crutch and baby wipes .
I had tried tofind cushioned insoles to try to take the pressure off my heels. All there seemed to be was trendy. Cafes. After wondering about I gave in and walked back on route via wooded area and a viaduct.
I was sad to be leaving the sea but will see it again in a week when I do the Durham coast to path.It also meant going up hill. It was now 2.15pm.
I walked suburban streets to Skelton where I found a super and helpful pharmacy post office. They had the biggest collection of foot aids and meds I had ever seen. With the excellent service I was able to finally get what I wanted. I straight away put in the new cushion insole. It was instant relief and felt my gait was near normal. 
For some readon I found it hard to walk out. The track I was now on was large stones and I still felt deflated. I was ultra sweaty and flies loved me.
I was nearing Slapewath and the time was 6.30 .As I made. my way around an old quarry I could see youngsters on scrambler bikes. I could hear the road below and started to think of a stop for the night.
As I came to the first house I asked a chap in his garden.  He looked me up and down and said how about the garden, would you like a cuppa?
Charlie and his wife fed and watered me, and were excellent evening company. I Left them that night with a full belly and a promise of breaky at 6.45. Needless to say I slept well.

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