Stage 18 Bellingham to Byrness

This is the first day of the final push. Only 3 days to go. Although this is one of the longer days it didn’t feel too bad, I think we are getting stronger, although our feet continue to hurt. We have found enough Compeed and painkillers deal with the feet issues. The day starts with a steady climb out of Bellingham up to the boggy moors. We past a doom and gloom man who warned us just how bad it was going to be, luckily like all such souls he exaggerated. The sky was clear today leading to stunning views as we pushed through the heather. After one last push up a steep bank, described by the book as the muddies, hardest bit we were out in forest. It was a forest of saplings for us, but this is were the day went downhill as it became a stoney track. I’m am starting to hate stoney tracks and I ended up popping more painkillers as each footfall bites into those blisters. Out of the forest and an overgrown river path leads to the village of Byrness and our resting place for the night.

Riverdale hotel – Bellingham, we had a great room, lovely big bed and a balcony overlooking the gardens. We were here for our day off and the hotel had a swimming pool but we hadn’t packed costumes. Unfortunately they didn’t allow skinny dipping and Bellingham doesn’t have a sports shop. Food was acceptable as was the service.