Too Old Codgers

Statistics:
distance - 10.4 miles
moving speed – 3.1 mph
start – 9.45 am
finish – 4.00 pm
moving – 3h 20m

We had a short day ahead, so started slowly. We had breakfast at 8.30, starting with cereal. Graham then had bacon and eggs. Our hosts chatted with us while we ate. We left at 9.45.

Today we were not following the C2C, but instead followed a route plotted along rights of way on OS maps. First we crossed fields to Brompton, walked through the village, crossed more fields to Harlsey Castle, then followed roads to Mount Grace Priory, and crossed woods and fields to Osmotherley.

Brompton was a very pleasant village with a central green and a long narrow park following the course of Brompton Beck. We chatted to two farmers during the morning, both of whom knew the C2C and Wainwright's views on the Vale of Mowbray. They were both fierce in their defence of the area, saying it was the best part of the C2C. It was pleasant walking, and obviously good farming country. We stopped at a stile under a chestnut tree near Harlsey Castle for a late morning tea at 12.30.

'Brompton village'

'Long Lane Roman road'

'Crossing fields'

'Morning tea under a chestnut tree'

We had missed Mt Grace Priory in 2010, and were glad to have included it in our itinerary this time. It was in a beautiful setting. The former guest house of the priory was used as a manor house and decorated in the arts and crafts style, and much of it has been restored in that style. We had read that the monks lived in solitary confinement at the priory and thought that this must have been tough. However, after seeing a restored monk's cell on two floors surrounded by a garden with reticulated water and sewers, we thought they had a relatively luxurious life.

'On the road to Mt Grace Priory'

'Mt Grace Priory ruin'

'Mt Grace manor house and garden'

'Butterfly in Mt Grace manor house garden'

We left the priory through a wood, then followed farm lanes to Osmotherley and reached our B&B at 4pm. Our room was pleasant, modern and airy, with a great bathroom.

'Through the woods to Osmotherley'

We set off for the village at 5.30. Graham had really enjoyed a blues band in the Queen Catherine pub in 2010. On this evening a jazz band was to play from 8.30. So we had dinner there (the usual, average pub fare) and waited for the band to begin. Perhaps we were just tired (Mary slept through the noisy first set), because the music didn't seem to swing. We left after the first set and were in bed by 9.15.

'Osmotherley market cross, barter table, teenagers and cottages'

'Queen Catherine pub, Osmotherley'

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