Langdon Beck to Middleton on Tees – Shorter and Sweet

A good night’s sleep int hotel and I found a hairdryer to mostly dry my boots. My clothes were wet beyond redemption in a compressor bag. Today’s was a more leisurely walk down the valley 9 miles to Middleton on Tees. I filled up my stomach, and the various canals that surround it, at breakfast, with double black pudding. Gordon Bennett I was full. The first stage was a mile down the road then across a farm to the Way. It was dryish but the clouds were looking threatening. 

The path rose up the West Bank but no Palestinians in sight. Netanyahu must have had them all shot. The river disappeared a while and then the path dropped down again.

A few miles later and I was stood at the top of the High Force waterfall which roared in my ears. 

The water was still brown and mucky, from the heavy rain on the peat bogs, as it fell over the cascade.

And from further down the valley the view back was awesome, well maybe not compared to the Niagara or Victoria Falls but for this green, pleasant and sceptred isle it was awesome. The biggest single drop in the U.K.

There were a few dozen tourists walking up and down the path, but again not many PW kiddies. I sped along and when the heavy rain started I was close to Middleton and pulled into a pub. The conversation at the bar for some reason turned to Sheffield United so I got my flag out. The locals said I must go next door and show it to the biggest Blades fan in the world. I packed up, went round and knocked on his door. When he came down the hall I got the flag out and sang the greasy chip butty song. He was quite surprised! He was trying to get tickets for him and his grandson for the Blades at Middlesbrough but didn’t have enough loyalty points. I gave him my SUFC log in and he used mine and Jet’s points to get the tickets. He was really pleased and insisted on taking a photo and sending it to me. I was naked.

Middleton was a nice village and the campsite was ok, but a way out of town. 

The festival was coming and the local kids had made mannequins.

I ate and got an early night. 

Night night.