Miles walked today: 9.9

Total trip miles: 173.4

Elevation gain today: 942 ft.

Accommodation: The Lion

I remember today’s walk in 2015 as being rather boring as we made our way to this almost 500 year old inn. When Nancy and I walked it today, it was anything but boring. Our host from Great Broughton brought us back to where we left off yesterday and made sure we knew which path to take. Then once again our morning started with a steep climb up. The difference today was that once we got on top of the moor we basically stayed up top all the way. While there was some up and down, it was nothing like yesterday’s continuous steep ups and downs.

When we started we were passed by several faster walkers and then the rest of the day the only people we saw were cyclists coming or going, and even a couple groups of motorbikes. We really enjoyed the quiet of the walk today. It is nesting season on the moors and we were both excited when I spotted the first red grouse on a rock. But then as the day wore on, we were able to see even more grouse and their chicks. The chicks ranged in size from quite young to about half the size of their parent. The first chicks we saw crossed the trail in front of us. We kept a lookout for them and saw more and more. One hen had the tiniest chicks and she moved away from them and they hid as we got closer on the path. We were able to see one of them huddled down and hiding in a clump of heather. We saw so many we lost count. It was fascinating to watch them. We also saw several curlews riding the wind again today. They are so fun to watch swooping up and down and around. Their call is very interesting, too, but I don’t know how to describe it.

The weather today was windy. When the sun was out it was very comfortable but if it was behind the clouds it was quite chilly. We found a sheltered place out of the wind for a break and we just sat and enjoyed the sun, the clouds, and the quiet. When we got up to go, the wind was really picking up. For about the last twenty minutes of our walk we had a light sprinkle of rain.

The trail itself was up steep to the top of a moor and then along the top. Part way through it follows the bed of an old, disused railway so that section was very easy walking. The last part of the day took us out to a busy road and then up the hill to the inn. They were very busy when we arrived just before two, but our rooms were ready and our bags had arrived. I ate a bit of my lunch. (I got a boxed chicken salad from the Wainstones Hotel—a welcome change from the usual sandwich!) After that I did some hand washing of some smelly clothes with the reasonable expectation that they will have time to dry by morning. The Lion Inn is amazing. It was built in the 16th century. It’s like a rabbit warren of rooms with low beams and interesting little nooks. I was going to take some pictures of the inside but when I went downstairs there were groups of people spread throughout. I’m looking forward to dinner tonight. Delicious smells are coming up to my room from below. It has been very relaxing to have such a short day.