Blakey Ridge to Gro(s)mont - silent s.

This, according to accounts, was to be a 13-14 mile walk, and was to be considerably shorter than the 20 miler we had originally planned. It turned out to be our easiest day by far: we were fitter and more conditioned and the route was almost flat (or nearly so). Thus we were clocking off the miles at a little under three an hour. So, by half three the job was completed and we were sat in the tea gardens at Gro(s)mont eating ice-cream and cakes and drinking tea and coffee.

Which one is Fat Betty?

The walk started on the tops (passing Bell End Farm on the way) walking the side of the road for two miles until we paid our respects to Fat Betty - who obviously fancied Neil. We passed into Great Fryup Lane (wonder how that name came about?) and then Great Fryup Dale where we started to pass our day sighting Red Grouse (do they know the 12th is not far away?). We passed the Girls in Pearls, and then a bunch of soldiers playing army with a Gnat overhead flying dummy runs.
We also discovered who was responsible for the M&Ms we had found placed at strategic points on route - they were markers placed by the American 'Tankers' (a dad celebrating his 60th birthday, his two sons) for the GwP.
We breezed through Glaisdale and Arncliffe Wood (and the bench placed to the memory of two dogs)toying with the River Esk.We then, as instructed, turned down the driveway for Egton Estate and passed their sewage works (they must all be vegetarians) and the old toll house (diversification of income) before we entered Grosmont  and the tea-house. Fat Betty's relatives were here having taken the train to Whitby to find it stopped short at Grosmont! Now they were waiting for a lift to arrive to take them the rest of the journey. Question: should we have told her she had toilet paper hanging out the back of her trousers - pretty immaterial really because we didn't.

Lunch on a very nice seated. Probably rated about forth on the list of best places to eat lunch.

Even the dead have to pay!