Keld

Path to Keld

Coast to Coast Day 7

No rain overnight, BONUS! Almost sunny when we opened the tent but we immediately closed the door as there were midges galore swarming us. Inside the tent we then found Colin the Caterpillar had moved in overnight along with a spider who was chasing flies...all very rural.

Leisurely start with Heather offering to serve our breakfast at the tent...we declined politely owing to the midgies. All was under control until Passpartoute turned earlier than expected so another frantic packing session followed. After the van drove away Colin realised he'd left the days maps in his bag...along with the address of tonight's B&B! A quick check revealed that AW's guide was still in his daypack so the days navigation was done using hand-drawn images & 30yr old descriptions! Nevertheless we completed our 22miles in under 10hours even in the searing heat of the day...no minor achievement given Richard's blisters & Colin's age!!! Sunstroke wasn't optional for the day with us both suffering shivers on more than one occasion.

After seeing the same 'support guy' for the last three days walking to meet his group of friends behind us we suddenly realised we'd missed a trick in not getting one of our own organised :-( Even though Colin cheekily asked if next time he'd bring us a bottle of water each he was as ever empty handed when we saw him next.

The route took us past many derelict smelting mills but the gravel track was very tedious...it posed the question "why would you go up there?", we think it's ideal for persons with an unhealthy interest in industrial dereliction...they could just visit Ancoats!!!

Reethe was bustling with a market set-up on the village green, selling everything from leather loafers to lemon slices but sadly for Richard no coast to coast coaster.

We sat on a bench shaded from the mid afternoon sun by a large ash tree. Eating our sandwiches, drinking too much fizzy pop and watched village life unfold in front of us. Richard was disappointed that Miss Marple didn't make a surprise appearance!

Using AW as his guide Colin did promise a nice shady walk in the trees along the River Swale...what Colin actually delivered was walk across meadows & grazing land in the full glare of the afternoon sun. It wasn't long till the sun affected us & during a 10min respite in Marsk Richards speech became so delirious & non-sensical that Colin ended up crying from laughter & nearly choking on a 'snake shaped sweet' 

A long painful walk on hard Tarmac ensued but we did eventually reach Richmond...although how a very friendly lady who had a random interest in the local bands playing live in town tonight & buzzards in the forest reckoned it was 30mins away when we clearly had over 2miles to hobble is beyond us...we think she may have been Wonder Woman.

A very refreshing shower meant that we could force a gentle stroll into Richmond for our evening meal...a very busy Italian restaurant that had almost as many staff as customers: most efficient! Staying awake to enjoy their efforts is proving very demanding but the pain in our feet reminds us intermittently that now is not the time to sleep.