0613 Richmond to Lovesome Hill
Fuelled with yet another delicious breakfast, we left Nuns Cottage to walk out through Richmond on our next leg. There was a short delay whilst replacement sunglasses (Peter) and Scotch Eggs (Adam) were located and then we were off. Walking past the old station, we linked up with the old railway – now a walking track – and enjoyed the shade of the overhanging trees whilst we could.
Today was set to be another stunning, sunny, warm day – 24°. Our rainwear has enjoyed being carried and not having to do any work so far!
Leaving the rail path after a couple of kilometres, we started on a series of footpaths taking us through fields of barley and wheat – serial cereal fields indeed.
(In a West Country accent: “It’s moi considered orpinion tha they be nestin’”… credit to Monty Python – just google it!)
It dawned on us that we have left behind the dry stone walls and now have hedgerows dividing the fields. We continued to have the Swale for company until lunch time.
Having left Richmond, we are not due to pass any settlements of any size for a few days. But at about midday we arrived at the small village of Bolton-on-Swale, with its beautiful old church, St Mary’s. They have a community food store in the church and also run an honesty box system for cold drinks and snacks for walkers. Very welcome indeed!
The church also has an old pipe organ – and we were stunned to find that Barbie could play this grand old instrument! She gave us a rendition of Bach and it really was beautiful to sit and hear that played in the church. Life holds many surprises, doesn’t it!
We left the Swale River behind at this point, and continued the rest of the day with a mix of field footpaths and quiet country road walking. The next village we walked through was Streetlam. It’s a little known fact that Streetlam is famous for its hoofed football team, and we happened across them midway through a game…
(In a John Motson-type voice) ‘and Alf Ramsey, in his last game as manager of Woolwich Arsenal in a top of the table clash with Kidderminster Town FC has taken the remarkable decision to field seven attackers here at Anfield! I’ll run through that line up for you now: Ramsdale is in goal, and he’ll have his work cut out today. There is a midfield trio of Ross Baaarkley, the German Ewe Seeler and anchoring the three, Frank Lambpard. In the potent attack is Theo Woolcott on the right wing, Daglish in the inside right position and not one but three centre forwards in Shearer, Baaamford, and Mbaape. Inside left today is Wayne Romney and Maaané on the left wing as usual. It is remarkable how Ramsey has managed to blend players from 22 to 80 years old, at least one of whom is reputedly dead.
So Baaamford to kick off; lays it back to Daglish who chops it back and onto Lampbard who hoofs it up the field. Nice control by Mbaaape – skinned him there – who skips past Brian Kidd, plays a one-two with Wayne Romney and surges into the box and is brought down in a rather agricultural tackle by Nicky Butt. Controversy here at Anfield! In the first minute the ref has just pointed to the spot! Pen! And Shearer steps up to take it…
A hush goes around Anfield as Shearer hops, skips and shoots… Can you believe it – he’s hit the Baaaa!! Ewe don’t see that very often!
Enough sheep jokes, can’t have you bleating we say…
Game over, we continued on to Danby Wiske.
Originally this would have been our destination for tonight, but a double booking had seen us moved to the wonderfully named Lovesome Hill Farm about 3km further on. However, we decided stop in Danby Wiske for an early dinner, and to then walk on to our accommodation. There is just the one place to eat in Danby Wiske – the White Swan pub. It was an interesting experience, but the meals were tasty and based on potato (both mash and new). And suitably refreshed we headed off to finish the day swimming through shoulder-high barley fields and another unidentified triffid-like crop which may have been seeded broccoli.
Distance walked: 24km/16 miles. Total to date: 223km .
Saints to Outlaws 
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