Day 12: Rest Day Richmond

RICHMOND

 Staying at the Buck Hotel on Newbiggan, a cobblestoned street just off the main market square in Richmond.

 This town grew up alongside the Norman built castle and its military stronghold in 1071 on land gifted to Rufus (the Red) of Brittany by William the Conquerer as reward for his part in the victory over King Harold in 1066. Down the road 3 miles lies Catterick Garrison and home to the Catterick Garrison obviously. This is the British Army’s largest training establishment with 20,000 acres of training land.Coming into Richmond yesterday I could here the tak tak of gunfire coming up from the valley.

With at times more than 18,000 soldiers stationed here it is not surprising to know that Richmond has over 20 pubs and over 30 licensed premises in total.

And for once a town with more men’s clothes stores than women’s.

In the town centre is a museum to the Green Howards (Yorkshire Regiment), I went there in 2011 with Chris Campbell while the girls shopped, the highlight, getting to dress up as soldiers at the end of the tour. Still boys at heart. I didn’t go in today rather I wandered off the market square to the war memorial and paid my respects.

They died that we shall live. And walk and drink ale and be free, never forget.

  Heading back to the square I spotted Esquire Men’s Design, and there I sat on the mock leather couch, at this high-end fashion establishment, a barbers shop.Something I haven’t done for quite a while, feeling a bit silly with the flowing locks I have swaying in the draft from the doorway. But this was a hair design shop, too good to pass up. My turn in the big chair; just give it a trim so it stands on end I ask and no smart arse comments.Discussing the newly refurbished décor I could only marvel at the choice of faux brick and plastered walls painted in “elephant breath” giving the place a savanna feel.

Three minutes and £5 pound later I stepped onto the street a new man my hair unbent against the breeze.Three doors up I just couldn’t walk past Thomas the Baker and I nipped in for a Danish. The air was fresh and the sky a little overcast as I circumnavigated the town-square, checking the hiking stores and hunting apparel store complete with shotguns and then I saw The Noted Pie Shop.What better to follow a Danish than a meat pie. I made my way down from the castle to The Station, once a train station now a café and art gallery with shops selling local produce.They serve the mega cappuccino here and I order one to accompany my jam scone.It’s nice just wandering, nowhere to be, at no particular time.











So as I left The Station I headed down to the Swaledale River and followed her bank on the other side of the castle wall and looked up at this giant rising from the already steep riverbank.

As you walk around the town the castle-keep rises from the hill reminding all who is in charge and what it would take to gain control.

Quite a lot I thought. In the game of chess the castle, or rook as it is called, is the second most invaluable piece but to be fair it should have more pull. 
Far more effective in a siege, than a knight or a bishop. 





I headed back to The Buck for some rest and that 52inch flat screen TV. Tomorrow I am meeting my cousin, Jane, off the bus at 9:33, we are walking to Danby Wiske together. My last day on flat ground.
After which it is onto the moors. Make sure you stay on the path.