Final few Miles St Giles to Easby

We did it! Actually we smashed it!

Can’t quite put into words Saturday really… 

from 7yr-70yrs, 20 of us, and the final 4 miles to mums final Resting place at Easby. 

All in all over 100miles done and over £1700 raised I can’t believe it.

There were 20 of us on this final day, family and friends… we gathered here at St Giles and headed on our way along the coast to coast path towards Richmond heading for mums final resting place Easby.

This walk was one of the firm favourites of mums and one I have done throughout my whole life come rain or shine.. 

Thank you so much for everyone’s support this has been a memorable challenge and one I know mum would have loved. I am going to keep up the walking now as loved every minute even the brutal hills! 

Totally blown away by all the support, All for Yorkshire Cancer research in the hope that future lives can be saved.

🙏🥾🙏

Thank you Thank you Thank you

🙏 🥾🙏🥾

#weealkforyorkshire 

Big shout out to everyone who joined me on Saturday to mark and celebrate the end of this challenge

Andy

Lily

Freddie

Alice

Simon

Clive

Jack

Jess

David

Anna

Tom

Reuben

Darcy

Amy

Laura

Sophie 

Clare 

Archie

Sam

Saltburn to Whitby 21miles

I did it 21Miles 💪

Honestly I started the day thinking I’ll get to Runswick bay or if I am lucky Sandsend- but to get to Whitby I am totally delighted.

So the day began Andy drove me to The Ship at Saltburn. Earlier start than planned 820am and off I shot out of the carpark and up and up loads of steps! Leaving my childhood seaside memories behind.

I was nervous, I felt a tad venerable on my own but once I got in my stride I got into my groove… Andy waited until I was out of sight and I waved from the top 👋 🥰

Sunday morning 830 not many folk in sight to be fair and those who I did pass said a warm “morning” which made me feel at ease and there on I reciprocated all day. 

I was blown away, the views, the up down terrain, the sea air.. I soon was speaking to myself saying “Wow I am loving this”

Before I knew it I was in skinningrove hit the sandy path, boy that was hard on sand, Miles made me think of you and you 5miler all in sand, brutal! 

I had a giggle at this stage of the walk I met “Tony” he was the cutest dog, who calls their dog Tony! Brilliant! Think you know the name of my next dog!!! chuckled on this for a few miles to be fair….. a quick apple/drink stop and round I went to the next massive hill/steps💪 heading out of the village up the cliff edge!

I think by this point emotions hit me, wind was blowing and I knew mum was by my side, I focused on the end goal and the niggle of pain in my hips made me think of those going through treatment and brutal side effects and I just said to myself man up and keep going. Be strong.

Staithes was my mission by 11am 8miles in 2 hrs boom! The cliff,coastline was more rugged, high, blustery and Barron. Beautiful Staithes, love this place brought back my WTY days and the many photos we used of this picturesque seaside village to promote the whole county, it is a magical place. 

Brew, loo, stop, breathe and take it all in moment. Plus a piece of healthy flapjack and protein! Off I head up more hills, cobbled streets, and when I got back into signal, ping ping ping my phone went mad, the battery anxiety kicked in… 

Jen & Ronnie rang, virtual motivation thank you. Shame I was climbing a hill and couldn’t breathe, nevermind speak!!!!

Runswick bay lunch- next mission! The wind picked up- nearly lost my glasses off my head and phone out of my hand!

Memory blast of mum and I taking lily and Freddie camping when they were small- first  time mum slept in a sleeping bag and didn’t realise she could move in them! Needless to say she had the worst nights sleep- that was a very happy 3 days.

Also memories as a kids with Da taking us in his ModelA car down that steep bank- Runswick bay is a special place. Lunch- on the benches bottom of the hill- blessed with a seal playing in the bay- pop enjoyed the Prosecco “cheers mum” and a phone call from Andy saying they were on their way! 

Next mission meet them at sandsend.

Off I trot down the beach! Reminiscing of fossil hunting, summer days with the kids making babybel ships and rock pooling, I made my way to the end of the beach and took a hard right up a stream- yes literally walking up a stream, thank goodness for drought! Up and up through the stream, into a wood and up and up and up, wow the steps kept coming, I made it to the top and blessed with another amazing view!!!! 

 Sandsend by 2.30.. at pace! I kept going.. honestly knowing I had support was the biggest motivation at this point. Amazing stretch- good farmland- very windy and barely blowing a hoolly, dropping down very steep steps, in a wood to the path at the bottom which lead me to Andy, Alice and Freddie in the carpark. They were ready to take me the final few miles. 17m done.

This stretch wasn’t the prettiest to be fair which made me sad as I would love

A&F to have the love of walking, but listening to their morning adventures, both eating my sweets/ supplies made me giggle. The chit chat too and support was totally amazing. Freddie happy walking next to

Golf club, quickly giving commentary!

Final stretch along the promenade the colourful beach huts and the final zig zag climb to the top- the wishbones in sight Andy too.

No way had I just walked 21 miles and most of it on my own. This day will Stay with me forever xxx 😚 #weealkforyorkshire 

First time solo walking

First 20+mile walk

Thank you to Andy my top support & Alice and Freddie my “mini motivators” 

Totally epic, I cried, laughed, went delirious in my own company! Tackled the hills and breathed in the fresh air with mum on my mind all day to push me to the end.

🥰💪👌🙏

21Miles /6.5hrs

Roseberry Topping 18th May

Wow what a walk!

The day started at 845 with Clare & Anna both arriving at St Giles we headed off picking Catherine up enroute, arriving at Newton under Roseberry carpark, where Ali

& Jen introduced each other & we all gathered at the foot of Roseberry topping!

Big thanks to Clare for taking on Chief map planner and reader! She was awesome and kept us right all day..

We were off! At pace, rather chilly and waterproofs on there was drizzle in the air… Half the group had done it before and half was the first time, we all reminisced of our previous RT adventures!

We were quickly into the wood and climbing the steps after steps upwards stopping frequently to catch our breaths and continue nattering! Jen was chuffed to be wearing walking gear she had with mum 18yrs ago when they walked the c2c path in 2007. Mum was firmly in my thoughts and memory blasts of when we walked these steps together came to my mind 🥰

The heart rates were up, we were warm, and we kept going through the trees and up higher onto the more rocky paths.. it was busy the 10am rush to the top!

The pole came out, Jen and I shared, 1 each and we were quickly at the top! Sadly the clouds were close and the view was restricted but we made it! Big hugs at the top and selfies! And the thought of 12miles ahead of us soon got us on our way…. We said farewell to Jen who descended - super to have her support thank you.

We left Roseberry topping and the crowds behind us, and gingerly made our way down the south east side watching our footings and off we headed in an easterly direction soon climbing another hill up onto the North York Moors and the Cleveland way, look back at Roseberry topping, stunning view in all directions. We marched on and soon had a flapjack break- we were all chit chatting and making connections between us which was special. 

We were definitely meant to walk together that day ladies 🥰

It was cold on the tops and windy too

But as soon as we started the decent to Kildale it warmed up and I to the pine woods.. such different terraine… when you go down though you have to go back up!!!

2.5-3hrs in we were back climbing the hill out of kildale to captain cooks museum, this felt long and steep, prob the hunger and fatigue was kicking in! So we agreed to

Stop at the next suitable stop…. A bunch of freshly felled logs- perfect! “Fizz in a Wood” pop a welcome refreshment and substance of course too! 

Fuelled up we then made it to the top of captain cooks Monument where we all agreed had less crowds and better view as the clouds were lifting than RT… it was stunning! More selfies and a pause to appreciate the wonderful Yorkshire countryside as we gazed down the vale of York… 

Then we started the decent and back into another wood, holding onto trees as we winded down the wood the stick helped and the knees burned, Ibroprofen at the ready for me! 

We descended into Great Ayton with a welcome farm shop comfort break for a few whilst others enjoyed the wildlife, baby goats, ducks, pot bellied pigs (my fav!) and off we set again… through the village and back out up the hills again! More hills but a reminder sweetie stop at the railway crossing helped spur us on! We had hit the 12miles so this now was extra as we wound back along the foot of RT in another “never ending wood” and we were quickly back to the start! Wow what an epic walk so many changes In terrains, laughs, banter, connections and reflections… truly a wonderful walk. Thank you ladies for making soo super special

A round of ciders at the pub and a warm welcome from Graham and Riley was super- Top support thanks boys! 

⛰️⛰️🥾🥰👌

Dubai Style

#wewalkforyorkshire Goes Global!

Guess what!

#weealkforyorkshire goes global!

Yes my brother Miles Thornhill has been completing this challenge in the hot desert of Dubai too and is just over half way 54miles in 💪

Honestly this is another huge support and motivation to me! The fact we are both walking 100 miles in May in memory of our mum is really special- I know she really would be proud of us both 🙏🙏

The daily videos you are sending through make me smile and I know you are enjoying it too!  6am starts to avoid the heat and before work too, your 5mile loop you are mixing up by going backwards and finding other concrete walks at the weekends to keep motivated.

I think this walking is addictive- Emma has joined in too! Which I absolutely love too 🥰

So not only are you supporting me but also Miles too, we are both so grateful with all your donations, words of support, joining in with the walks and remembering one special person and to help raise funds for @YorkshireCancerResearch to help save lives in Yorkshire.  

https://join.yorkshirecancerresearch.org.uk/s/3621/3968

Thank you from us both 🙏🥰

Leyburn Shawl Walk 11th May

Today was a day of lots of “Sun & Support” it also felt much harder than last weeks! It felt much longer than 15miles! Lots of ups and downs…

Leaving St Giles as planned, Sophie & Milo (doggie) jumped into our support vehicle kindly chauffeured by Tom,  Alison and I in the back! We headed on our way, we all felt apprehensive of what lied ahead.  Chitter chatter, the adventure had begun.

Arriving in Leyburn just before 10am outside Campbells (best Yorkshire deli shop!) great to see Chris was not flying solo & had brought #TeamLong Sarah Oliver and Toby and their dog Marla… our group was getting bigger, then round the corner appeared Anna and Reuben all set and ready to go! Obligatory Team Selfie, we were off!

Heading out of the market square and onto the shawl, we were all amazed by the stunning view of Penhill and lower Wensleydale looking its finest with bright blue skies & sunshine. Admiring the view and getting in our stride we were soon amongst the wood and trees and marching onto Preston under Scar, eating the miles and Reuben (10yrs) setting the pace!

Out of the wood & a short decent, we had taken the wrong track already! think we all agreed map reading is not my forte! I blame Strava and signal not kicking in soon enough! So back up the hill and into another wood with little streams which the dogs loved.. 

We had reached 3 miles in 1 hr and time for Tom to depart the group and take Digby (doggie) home to do jobs before returning to pick us up later… A big hug & off he shot. Onwards and upwards for us to Redmire and Bolton Castle… beautiful countryside, sweetie stops, liquid stops and more hill climbs we got there with photos on the way and avoiding a dive into Redmire pub although tempting!!! 

We decided to plough on to half way 7.5miles which took us to the outskirts of Carperby! Where I could open my rucksack and “lighten my load” Pop 5X Prosecco & 1 Moretti lunch was served leaning on a tree having “fizz in a field” Cheers Mum 🙏🥰

A much lighter rucksack! We hot stepped to Carperby pub for a loo break and water refills and onwards to Aysgarth falls at pace- Alison leading clearly the Prosecco had kicked in! What a tourist hotspot Aysgarth falls is- must go back when the river ure is in full force… This was our furthest point so felt like we were heading home… 10miles done homeward stretch and morale much higher!

Next highlight was the Stepping stones across the River Ure just below Redmire… where we stopped and enjoyed some refreshments… Onwards and upwards keeping the river to our left we had our longest 4miles to the end… legs got heavy, distance between the group stretched, a loss of footing and a near fall, the team support kicked in. The dogs were still charging about with bounds of energy, as was Reuben!  

Past Bolton Hall and Wensley Bridge in sight! “The never ending wood” But the pub was insight and we had made it! Where our Top supporters Andy Tom and Simon who were enjoying “Happy Hr on local ales!” And we enjoyed refreshing pints all round and several bowls of salty chips! Wow we were all so happy to sit down and get to the end safely all in one piece although broken. 

Top support, great Teamwork, reminiscing happy times of mum, beautiful scenery, appreciation for the simple things, good health and happiness. 

Felt very emotional on reflection, with us all pulling together for the greater good and in memory of one special person who really did love walking and this was a firm favourite of hers. We felt you were with us every step of the way xxxx

Thank you again for the most amazing support from you all. 

Reeth to St Giles 4th May

Firstly huge thank you to Catherine Marshall who joined me today- you truly motivated me, chatted, and kept the pace up! 

The day began at 830 where Catherine arrived at St Giles and Simon kindly gave us a lift up to Richmond on his way to Easby Church so we could catch the 9am Little white bus up to Reeth. Sadly no bus arrived (Sunday/BH) 🤦🏻‍♀️ so we gabbed a taxi and were on our way…. Such a lovely taxi lady, who when we got talking knew my mum, Geoff (who we sadly lost this wk to C too) and Catherine also knows her daughter in law. This gave us both the comfort and support to set us off to a good start..

Coffee in hand off we headed down to Grinton past the dales bike centre hitting the river and heading onto Marrick Priory! A wild wee was necessary in a quiet spot and then we were off at Catherine’s fast pace! Arriving at Marrick priory quickly before a very steep accent up steps wood apparently stone steps made by the nuns to connect to Richmond.. this was steep and I reminisced taking lily and Freddie up here a few years ago! At the top we were blessed with a glorious view or swaledale and we both commented how lucky we are to have this beautiful countryside on our doorstep.

Onwards and upwards to Marske “sleepy hollow” where we were suprised to arrive way before our planned lunch break! So we had a snack on homemade flapjack a sit and refuel! I reminisced about my happy childhood in Marske with my grandparents

The walking sticks then came out!!! I could feel my hips! So pulled them out to the right length and strided out! Not really convinced they were helping, actually annoyed me more than anything… Catherine gave them a go too whilst I spoke to Andy and Freddie who rang to check our progress.  Sticks were quickly back in the bag and we both agreed not at the age yet to need them! I best not speak to soon as may need them by the end of May!

We then made a sharp accent up to Applegarth and onwards up to and through Whitcliffe wood the new C2C signs were brilliant and even with my map/compass at hand we didn’t get lost and neither were needed! 

Richmond in sight and soon hitting white fields in Richmond we aimed for a bench at 10miles for a picnic lunch! The heavens opened but the drizzle didn’t stop us! Pop and 2 mini bottle of Prosecco consumed! Well earnt! Made me laugh that we had to hide the evidence! Always need “fizz in a field” this was a nod to mum who on my 40th birthday during Covid introduced me to this and boy this a tradition I’ll continue xx

Back on our tracks and 1 mile to the station- where we paused Strava and grabbed a coffee and had a posh loo stop spurring us on for the final 3 miles- past Easby (where mum lays at rest) onwards up the woods and across to colburn and the final stretch. 

Andy lily Freddie and Betty greeted us round the corner and what a welcome suprise 🙏 the last mile in sight! Catherine commented on the red new roof ahead of us!! Home insight.

We did it 15miles in the bag! What a great 51/2 hrs spent nattering to a good friend appreciating our local countryside and being grateful for good health & happiness.

Time to rest before I do it all again next Sunday- leyburn and Wensleydale here we come- who is joining me?!?!

Itinerary

I am planning to walk 100miles in May… working full time limits me to just the weekends so 4 x 15mile Sunday walks plus top ups!

Many of these walks were mums favourite ❤️ 

If you would like to join me for 1 mile or 100 here we go!

4 bigger walks- 9am meet for 930 start or join me enroute!

Sunday May 4th- Reeth to St Giles (C2C walk)

Sunday 11th May-Leyburn shawl walk finishing at the Saddle Room for a large drink!

Sunday 18th May-Roseberry topping walk ( like the one mum and I did on this YCR video in 2017)

Sunday 25th May Saltburn to Robin hoods bay (Cleveland way) not sure we will get that far but give it a go! Fish n chips at the end!

Or join me on Smaller walks

St Giles to Easby

The swan lakes walk from St Giles

Gunnerside Gill

Keld/ Muker

If you Watch the Yorkshire Cancer Research video on this website you will see mum and I taking on Roseberry Topping when mum first was diagnosed, we had a very happy day and laughed lots #happymemories to cherish. 

We always loved to “walk and talk”