C to C (Cause to Celebrate) by John Ryder Snr

C to C (Cause to Celebrate)

by John Ryder Snr

We’re three generations of Ryders

As close as butter on toast

We’re walking the width of England

We’re walking the Coast to Coast

For 15 days we lace wet boots

Heave rucksacks on our backs

We stride off proudly into the sun

Down dale and mountain tracks

It’s 200 miles from St Bees Head

To the Bay of Robin Hood

A deeply daunting test of grit

Through moor and mist and mud

Off we set from Lulu’s pub

T’ward sylvan fell and mere

The Lakes in all their glory

(And pints of Theakston’s beer)

Derwood’s at the heart of things

With her wise and witty blog

A memorable memento

Of this beautiful, arduous slog

Ryder Jnr sets a searing pace

‘No coffee breaks or rest’

‘Onward Derwood,’ comes the cry

Tough days of trial and test

I myself prop up the rear

My glory days long gone

Content myself with rate sedate

My mantle passed to my son, John

But Jumping Jack is full of beans

He bounces down the track

O for the wings of youth again

I wish I had mine back

Ennerdale is our first aim

It’s really not that far

Just 15 miles of blood and sweat

It’s easy in a car!

Stonetwaite is our next goal

A hot and sunny day

Tough terrain tears at our feet

For roof and rest we pray.

An answer to our prayer is found

The Vicarage snug and cool

A sanctuary and a shelter

A post-Arcadian jewel

With lingering looks at Lakeland

We rest awhile at Shap

Dad and Jack win games of pool

I’m not a happy chap!

A blistering pace becomes the norm

And Pat and Meg fall prey

Four feet alike in their joint grief
Soul sisters you might say

Our next stop is the Pennine Peaks

Our country’s splendid spine

A brazen backbone of rusted iron

Peat bogs of dark red wine

Strange structures reach up to the sky

The cairns of Standards Nine

Their unclear meaning is their charm

An heritage proud and fine

Now Yorkshire looms up thro’ the mist

Where Jack and Pat were born

Splendid isolation is all around

With Swaledale sheep forlorn

Shy Yorkshire Dales reveal their charms

Our senses to enthrall

Exquisite verdant tapestry

For creatures great and small

A rest day next in Richmond town

Fleshpots lust and sin

Alas it did not happen,

None of them were in!

North York Moors now rear their heads

Last barrier on our quest

50 miles of terrain and tor

Then downhill all the rest

At Grosmont station we call a halt

We’re running out of steam

But Hogwarts’ train fans our fading flame

And reignites our dream

Hooray! We’ve reached our Bay of Dreams

Worn out but joyful too

We’ve gained our goal of C to C

A disheveled, triumphant crew

So, raise your glasses, one and all

One final heartfelt toast

Our glorious trek has reached its end

We’ve done the Coast to Coast