Kirkby Stephen to Keld

Today the group set off just 6 miles from our houses, from Kirkby Stephen for a 12.5 mile walk.  They walked a gradual ascent to the 9 standards rigg.  The weather was rainy, as usual, and misty.  They made good time up to the standards but unfortunately there was no view due to the mist!!

Then the group encountered mud!  Mud, mud glorious mud and lots more mud - at times up to their calves.  So they have had the wettest day; the windiest day and now the muddiest day.  This went on for about 4 miles, but felt a lot more.  Eventually the rain stopped, and the mist lifted as they came down from the moors towards the road that led to Keld.  Today marked the half way point of the walk and also into a new county - North Yorkshire. 

After dropping the walkers off in Kirkby Stephen, Carol and I went shopping (again) for wine and beer - the cup final was looming this afternoon.  We then drove up towards Penrith and the Rheged Centre which is a huge indoor shopping, exhibition and 3D cinema complex.  It is set in rocks by the old lime kilns; quite a fascinating place where we saw the national geographic photographic competition entries.  After this we headed back towards Keld to pick everyone up.  After driving through Kirkby Stephen we went onto a narrow road that led wonderfully across the moors and dales - it's the kind of road you want Carol's mini to wizz along,; you could see the road winding around for huge distances.  The scenery was stunning and we are definately entering James Herriot country.  The weather brightened up and we stopped alongside the road for lunch whilst watching a helecopter doing a mountain rescue exercise.

We passed the walkers as they approached Keld and we found the tea shop where they very definately deserved tea and cake :)

 
The football was enjoyed by the boys, and apparently the best team won!