Market Weighton to South Cave: E2 Day74

A lovely day of patchy sun among green fields across an undulating landscape. 

My day began trying to find the route of the Yorkshire Wolds Way out of town, there being some confusion with the Hudson Way and Wilberforce Way. The correct route was along the bed of an old railway, built by a company chaired by George Hudson. A sign said he ended up in a debtor's prison accused of falsifying his books. Another sign informed me about St Helen's Well, an ancient spring beside the old railway. People had taken to tying pieces of cloth on a nearby tree maybe for good luck or their health.

For most of the day, the Wolds Way followed paths by fields of young crops and quiet roads. Hills were lower today and the valleys more shallow than during recent days. In some valleys sheep with recently born lambs watched me pass by or munched on the grass. As on previous days hawthorn hedges, bare of leaves, lined the horizon, although they were not an effective barrier, with large gaps between individual bushes. However the songs of numerous birds showed they were appreciated by diverse species.

Neatly trimmed hedges on the skyline, a feature of the area. 

The Wolds Way curves through a valley with lower sides than those earlier days.

On this sunny Easter Saturday many people were out. Runners on their own, couples with dogs, families and larger groups. Some runners moved with graceful ease while others, with perhaps larger girths, panted red faced as they jogged along. Youths walked bare chested in the warmth of the sun, showing their soft, white skin. One lad in a "Stay Wild" tee shirt was sitting on the wayside, his boots off and with obvious blisters. I made some comment and would have offered more encouragement or plasters but he was busy looking at his phone.

As the miles to South Cave on the finger posts slowly reduced, I entered a wooded valley, steeper sided than others today. It began with a steep downhill path. A child coming the other way wanted to know how far to the top it was. Not far I assured him. Further on, looking over a vineyard, I spotted the wide River Humber in the distance, tomorrow's destination and the end of Yorkshire and the Yorkshire Wolds Way. 

The Yorkshire Wolds Way curving down a wooded valley.

I turned off the Wolds Way to enter the village of South Cave, and after visiting the Westend Café (where I seemed the only customer with no dog) I walked up to my hotel. As this was a castle the drive approaching it was rather long. I felt very indulgent as it was an expensive place to stay, I should have spent longer looking at other options. However I also believe in experiencing a range of accommodation and justify such expense by saving money when camping. Anyway, it was not a real Castle, it was probably Victorian. 

My rather indulgent residence for the night.