"Heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads." - Henry David Thoreau

 Second to last day of our 8 day hike through the Yorkshire Dales.

Lots of thoughts rambling about in my head today. Thinking about what my sister said about there being a beginning, a middle and end to this type of holiday. The beginning is exciting, discovering a new part of the country, anticipation of what's ahead, not knowing whether we can actually accomplish it. In the middle, we get our walking legs under us, take the breaks we need, give each other space to take in what we came to see. At the end, we remember how far we've come, give each other the encouragement we need to finish the next day. Somehow, the 8 days have slipped away and there is a part of me that doesn't want it to end. 

Today, we left Sedburgh around 9:30, arriving in Patton Bridge around 5:30. Another long day, but the weather was on our side and we enjoyed a 20 km ramble with another 2 tacked on to the end as we navigated the hill country of Cumbria, trying to locate our B&B. We are now at Howestone Barn, where we were served a delicious homemade meal (chicken vegetable soup, fillet of salmon with roasted vegetables and a delicious chocolate cake served with raspberries and cream). A great way to end the day.

Photo time-----

Leaving Sedburgh and looking into a convex mirror that seem to be quite common with the narrow streets.

This was built for the daughter of Charles Edward Taylor who contracted tuberculosis and the family wanted her close by while in isolation. They named it Pepper Pot.

Snack break along the way.

The Friends (Quaker) Meeting House was built in 1675 at a time when non-conformist meetings were illegal. The founder of Quakerism, George Fox, preached to about 1000 folks near here on Firbank Fell in June of 1652, fresh from having a spiritual vision on Pendle Hill, and the movement was born.

A simple interior.

Wooden church door leading into the Quaker Church.

Walking toward and under the Victorian-built Lune viaduct.

'Escape to the Country"?

Not sure what 'dead slow' means? 

Following the Dales Way through hawthorn hedgerows.

Blue sky! Haven't seen that for a couple of days.

All the sweet baby animals this time of year!

The M6 - thankful we didn't have to cross this - there was an overpass.