Richmond to Lovesome Hill, and I’m not in Virginia.

This was going to be a relatively grim day. The Swale below Richmond empties out into the broad Vale of York, which isn’t spectacular like the Lakes and Dales. In fact some of it is just grey. Coupled with which the weather was a poor forecast, rain and rain. Oh well, 16 miles to achieve with my reduced rucksack. My sis took a fair amount of stuff home for me, spare clothes and things I hope I won’t need.

Yesterday in Richmond she had a chat with the local MP.

Richmond itself is great. A decent, farming focused, well to do, not up itself, Yorkshire town.

With a peat coloured river rolling through the valley.

And rolling out into the plain below.

Walking down by the riverside I came across this unusual plaque, which intrigued me. The Richmond drummer boy.

Moving on, the dead further down the valley at Bolton on Swale were rocking it.

I was meandering slowly as the owners of the Lovesome Hill Farm B&B were out and not back until 18.00. But I left it late to pick up speed and the weather was getting worse. The photo below sums up this afternoon. Wet farmland with no distinguishing features.

In the end I was wading through muddy fields and rainy country lanes right up until 18.00, with the light fading and my shorts, socks and boots sodden. The superglue was working a treat but this water came over the top, for which there is no protection.

All in I’ve walked 152 miles, and something like 70 to go. It’s fun. Come on – even when it’s raining I love it. Tomorrow the forecast is good. And I’m camping again. Hooray! Until then……

Night night.