Stage 17 Steel Rigg to Bellingham

Robin Hood , Robin Hood, riding through the glen.

This felt a hard day. It wasn’t that long at around 15 miles nor that big a climb, and our feet (compared to earlier) aren’t feeling that bad so it shouldn’t have felt so hard. It’s started off back on Hardrians Wall with the roller coaster ups and downs, past the famous Sycamore Gap where Robin Hood rode in the 1991 film. Either he was lost or we were not in the North Pennines! After leaving Hadrian’s wall it was back to vaguely worn boggy paths but instead of moorland it was overgrown nettles and brambles to push through before becoming conifer woods and spikey leaves to dodge. We met a lot (3) of other Pennine wayfarers on this section. After the bogs came a river to cross, luckily water levels are low so we didn’t have to resort to real paddling, then the climb although not hard climb to a radio mast. It was at this point a woman asked if she could share her experience. Poor women since the death of her son , Jesus and God keeps appearing to her in rainbows and clouds. At last Bellingham was insight and the hotel.

Center of Britain- Hatlewistle, lovely big room (small bed) with spa bath. Food acceptable but served by youngsters who needed some more training.

Hatlewistle – claims to be at the centre of Britain so we walked , yes walked, to the signpost and block of stone to take pictures . It was a nice small town helped by the evening sun shining.