Limestone Way 3

Youlgreave - Ilam Hall
21.42 miles
2940 ft ascent

Ilam isn't actually on the Limestone Way, it's another mile to walk each way, but it has the nearest Youth Hostel.

The Youth Hostel at Castleton had stools in the dorms so that those on the top bunks had somewhere to sit while taking their boots off etc... the YH at Ilam didn't so we had to sit on the floor.  One of the two showers in our dorm was out of order and my overbunk light and phone charger didn't work, but apart from that it was fine.  There was no phone service of any kind, which is why I didn't post at the time, but that's not the responsibility of the YH!

Because I'd stayed in an Airbnb place last night I had no packed lunch but guess what?  There was a shop on the way out of Youlgreave and I popped my head in thinking that they might sell food. They didn't but he said that they'd just had a family cooked breakfast and there was a bit left... would I like a sausage and bacon sandwich?  Wow how fortunate was that and they wouldn't accept any payment, just wrapped it in foil and off I went!

Following a pub stop after lunch, when I hugely enjoyed a pint of cold milk, we realised we were going to be too late for a meal at the YH so we called at The Bluebell at Tissington, literally metres off the route, for food and beer.

There were still a few miles to go to Ilam and we could see the storm clouds coming, and then it began to thunder and lightening.  So we got a bit wet, but it's the first rain and we really can't complain about the weather :-)

The second day of walking took it's toll on me, but of late I just haven't been doing the miles so that wasn't surprising, but the scenery so far has been absolutely gorgeous!  My eye has been fine, I've managed to administer the eyedrops at the right times and also keep up my stretching routine - absolutely essential on this trip - although there was so little floor space in the YH it was difficult.

Sorry I haven't been commenting, I'll get back to normal tomorrow probably.