Yorkshire Dales Challenge

It is almost 2 years since my hip operation and I thought it was time to test the joint strength and push the muscle build. It has been a slow and steady progression, but my left leg is still lacking the confident balance and strength of my right. This is having an impact on my whole body, twisting me subtley so that I have right shoulder strains. So with backpack and hills to climb, I wanted to see how my muscles would respond.

The trip was meant to be low carbon impact - so 3 trains to Skipton and a bus to Grassington.

Day 1 - 6 miles from Grassington to Kettlewell took about 3 hours and we got to YHA at 6pm (fantastic YHA btw)

Day 2 - Climbed Great Whernside and Little Whernside. We started at 9.30am and arrived at about 5.20pm in Middlesmore. Not only hilly, but BOGGY. A pretty tough day. Then we missed the pub supper by 10 minutes and walked another 4km to get food.

Day 3 - A gentle round walk of 3 hours. Beautful buttercup fields.

Day 4 - a race for the 13.13 bus from Grassington. We started at 6am and got there at 12.20pm. With enough time for a cuppa!

I had expected to be exhausted and aching, but on that last day hitting the Dales Way once more into Grassington, I felt physically balanced. The muscle aches were balanced and comfortable, I felt stretched rather than strained.

On the Nidderdale Way