Keld to Reeth

Day 8 started dry and quite cold.  We drove for 40 minutes to the start of the walk in Keld along the amazing thin and meandering road, which was quiet at that time in the morning so not too many cars to pass!  We all set off (including Carol and me) towards the Swale river which is to feature in the next couple of days walks as the route follows this river.  It is a beautiful river with small waterfalls and rushing water over rocks and stones.

Setting out - we have gained and extra man in this photo - his

girlfriend was taking the photo, and we keep spotting this

couple on the walk as they seem to be doing the same routes and

days as us.  In fact Carol and I met up with an American girl later

who was walking the coast to coast on her own (very brave), and

she had heard of our group as 'the large group with 2 girls driving

them about'!! - we're famous.

 

 

After a short while, the path splits and the main group took  the high road which went to explore the lead mines.  This is the route to take if the weather is ok.  The other route follows the river and is  recommended if the weather is bad.  Carol and I took the river route for a couple of miles before finding a bridge and path the other side of the river which lead gradually back to Keld.  We found a very small gate on the way, and I was jolly glad I didn't have that extra portion of pudding the night before!!



 

 



Exploring the lead mines.

 



Eventually we all met up in Reeth, a lovely village with a good tea shop.

 



 

Walter feeling the effects of the last week and

falling asleep after his cup of tea!!

 

We then set off for the long drive back to the house.  It is difficult to know what is the best route, so we opted for the slightly more main roads, but even these are slow going because of the all the bends.  But we did take a slight detour to look at the front of Skeldale House which featured in the 'All Creatures Great and Small' TV series.  - didn't have a chance to take a photo I'm afraid.

 

Amazingly no-one had wet boots today, but the forecast looks bad again tomorrow - even some talk of snow on higher ground, but I don't think they will be going too high!! 

 

Tonight Pat and I did yet another Sainsburys online shop which should arrive at our next accomodation on Tuesday.