Correction!!

My dad has just corrected me - 117 miles gone, 75 miles to go. Also
above wine from great french restaurant from tonight plus Swale falls
minus the tracksuits !!

Day 10 - Reeth To Richmond, 110 miles gone

Down Swaledale today some 13 miles and into the impressive town of
Richmond. A fabulous walk along the river and up the applegarth scar
to come into the top of Richmond.

That is now 110 miles down - 85 to go.

Unfortunately for us we had to come into Richmond on a very warm and
sunny bank holiday Monday. A good thing you would have thought but
no. It was full of pikeys in tracksuits swimming in the swale falls
and drinking cans of lager (how old do I sound). So if you weren't
smacking kids, eating chips, walking along with your shirt off or
swearing you were definately in the minority.

Thanks for all the words of support on the blog so far - Emily we have
not seen any otters yet but fingers crossed for tomorrow.

Right then off to the pub for a few pints of black sheep and then off
to Danby Wiske half way to the North Yorkshire Moors.

Helen - the ice cream was a double chocolate cone with a scoop of
Ginger and one of blueberry :-) you would have loved it xxx

Day 9 - Keld to Reeth, Through Upper Swaledale

The morning started with bacon and egg baguette bought to our bunk
house by Heather. Eaten with loads of brown sauce and at least 3 cups
of tea and I was fueled up and ready to go. (picture above was taken
standing at the bunkhouse front door!!)

We set off down the Swale and headed off up a precarious valley path
to the head of the gill which led to the top of the moor.

Along the path at most points today were the remnants of the old
industrial past of the lead mines of swaledale now long since
silenced. We had lunch at the remains of the old gang smelting mill a
hugely impressive place and headed down to Reeth - the capital of
upper swaledale.

Reeth is a great place to spend an afternoon with many good pubs all
selling a great pint of black sheep. We obviously were obliged to try
them all.

Off to Richmond tomorrow - need to find a laundrette as my sock crisis
is worsening daily!!

Day 8 - Kirkby Stephen to Keld, Half Way Across England

Having had a couple of beers last night to make sure sleep was had by
all we got up early to put the youth hostel experience to memories of
history. We will laugh about it tonight over a glass of red wine no
doubt. It is worth noting that the yha at Kirkby is not an official
yha but is privately run - one that needs a bit of investment.

We had brekfast in a great cafe who opened especially for us at 8 and
started off on our climb up to 9 standard rigg a climb of some 1800
ft. We were accompanied on our way by our drinking buddies ' the
Geordies ' (picture of john and Kate above) and soon cracked the
summitt and headed off towards keld. The scenerary changed from
highland peak bogs to rolling dale hills quickly and we soon had the
12 miles cracked to the bunk barn.

A big mention must be made to the brilliant farmers wife at Ravenseat
farm at the head of winnerdale gill. A cup ot tea and a scone with
cream and jam for £2 was a bargain. With a warm welcome for everyone
despit having given birth to her fifth child just days before!! By
eck they make em tough in Yorkshire !!

Our arrival to the bunk barn was a nervy event. After our experience
the night before what would our cheapest accommodation be like?? The
answer..... Is wonderful.

Big, new clean bunk rooms set in a converted warm barn next to the
falls of the upper Swale all for £15 a night!! When I say next to the
falls I mean the wall of the barn is the side of the falls!! The owner
heather, met us with a warm smile a large bowl of hot beef curry and a
bottle of red wine. Bacon sarnies in the morning at 7.30 before we
leave. This place is excellent and should be a definately stop for
anyone considering a coast to coast. However it only sleeps 9 so it
is booked up for most of the year!!

Walking swaledale tomorrow over to gunnerside gill. Jay - I will try
and find that path again up the waterfall - I'm sure it's there
somewhere!!

Day 7 Orton To Kirkby Stephen, On To The Dales

We left Orton in high spirits today having had the best over night
stay yet at the village of Orton. We went up to paper shop for the
now customry telegraph for
John, into the little church yard hopped over the stile went on our
merry way.

The walk finished off the rest of the limestone plateau that marks the
edge of the dales (very James Herriott around here!!) and after 12
miles we arrived at the YHA in Kirkby Stephen. Kirkby is a great
place which is more than can be said for the hostel which is a
little.....dated. See below!!

We had a great meal at the forge restaurant and decided (well I did
anyway) that to forget our rubbish hostel we needed to have a few
beers. We bumped into Geordie John, Kate and Davey from north shields
in the pub and had a few drinks.

Thanks to everyone who has commented on the blog so far
and followed our progress. Errr jarvis you head would love this
little stroll!! Speak soon buddy.

Day 6 Shap to Orton, Towards The East

A rest day today after our long slog out of Patterdale. We left the
Ing Lodge Farm on old coaching house on the old great west road from
London to Glasgow grabbed the daily paper and left shap and headed east.

We crossed the M6 (which is about one third of the way across) and
passed onto the high limestone plateau that links the lakes to the
northern pennines. A great place to walk and full of massive granite
boulders.

John was in his element and gave us a geology lesson as we crossed the
plateau - which we actually found quite interesting but don't tell him
that. The plateau is also full of archeaological pre history with
some large stone circles that have yet to decoded.

We then came down off the plateau down into Orton. A fabulous little
hamlet between Appleby and Kendal and found the local pub - the George
and the local chocolatiers!!

Our accommodation is the barn lodge b and b which is excellent. An
old converted 18 th century barn restored beautifully with just 3
rooms. A real gem of a place that is fully booked until next summer!!

Off to Kirby Stephen tomorrow and the start of the Yorkshire Dales.
Lots of Blacksheep to be drunk!!

And in case you were wondering - it's been 6 days now and 6 full
English breakfasts. Going for 7 tomorrow!!

ps a big hello to everyone at BWB back in the office. Hope all is
well. Dom I hope that you get through the next few days without half
the team there!! Nic - good luck for Saturday I hope you have a great
day.

Photos Through The Lakes

Whilst I have a half decent connection sitting here in shap I have
posted below some of the photos taken so far... Need to get some more
action shots!!