2nd September. 500 miles completed .East Marton to Ickornshaw Moor

It was not surprising a short walking day of just under ten miles.
I had slept well in my bunk waking at usual time.Mon soon woke ,and then the boys who were straight into rowdy play mode. I had to keep telling them to keep the noise down due to others sleeping in the hostel.
I had bought breaky things from the hostel shop and the warden, bless her, gave use a loaf for toast to have with our beans on toast - Monique also put olives and sundried tomatoes with it! Yum!
Once kit was packed we all ventured out to look around the village. It was like time had stood still and you half expected him a horse and carriage to come round the corner. A chap in tweeds smoking a pipe got into his Japanese 4x 4 which kind of spoilt the image and I almost complained thinking he should be getting on his penny farthing.
We let the boys play on a wooden play ground come obstacle course before going to a small tearoom just across the way.
As we walked in it felt uncomfortable with the fat moustached chap looking as if our money was not good enough for him. It was not because he was stuck up,  more the opposite like we were not local or a regular or maybe just tourists. I almost said something to him before we left but in the end I just said thankyou and he juzt wave a hand as if to say alright without even looking at me.
Be warned ,he was a fat ignorant pig that deserves to go under. I will certainly visit the village and hostel again.
We piled our stuff in the car and as the automatic clutch had suffered due to prolonged up and down roads I drove back the half hour to East Marton.
We did not walk straight away and had lunch of soup in the tearoom by the canal. Their elecy was out but as they had gas and a Aga was able to cope. We sat in the semi dark consuming our soup and bread and hoping the boys didn't finish theirs ,waste not want not!
Goodbyes again at the car and with pack in place wLked on to the canal tow path feeling a little deflated.
Any mileage would be good today and as it was about 2 we did not expect much.
We were not walking with much enthusiasm, walking throghThornton in Craven with hardly a memory.
At Brown House farm the path lead up to Elslack Moor. But before we started climbing I stood in about a foot deep pile of cow pooh which had a crust that did not hold my weight. This entertained J . It was a fairly hard slog up due to our lethargy and extra weight of pooh encrusted boots and thankfully gaiters and not socks.
Pinhaw hill was the main reason for the the climb with fine views for miles around.
We made our way into the old textile village of Lothersdale with a chimney of probably better day of the industry. We had a drink at the Hare and Hounds before climbing the hill opposite and sweating out the benefits of the pint.
It was an up and over , which seems a sadistic nature of the Pennine Way, and into Cowling for 6 pm. We sat in a bus shelter scoffing biscuits and Josh choking on them ,serves his right and for acting the pig. It was another up onto Ickornshaw Moor which also seemed to accomadate the Bronte Trail. Yes the whuthering Heights classic. I have never read it but I am sure it paints the area well in the mind. As we gained the moor it was littered with a dozen or so shed like buildings which I can only think were shooting dens. It felt abit sinister as if the inhabitants of the sheds would of come out at night. With that in mind we pitched the tent to get max sun in the morn feet from one recently creosoted shed.
With tent up ,J was having a domestic with his girlfriend about him not visiting her. It was like he was on a jolly and could come and go as he pleased. I am sure that was the intention before Josh joined the walk. He had very little to do with or even to show interest in the venture and I had already had my concerns about him joining the walk. I made it clear to him I do not mind him taking a day or two off but it would disrupt my walk and routine if he is not a member of the walk and dips in and out ad he pleased.  In fact I would prefer that he gave up the walk altogether and leave me to it if he was not commited to the canal walk.  I will see what happens. As long as he is putting in effort I will see support him but if he slows me down he will have to go. I love him to bits but this is my walk and not his ,as shown I have completed three trails to his none.
I did not sleep until gone 12. I miss Mon and boys already as I lay here.

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