Reeth to Richmond

Today started with a Coasters breakfast as it contained us, the 'Girls with Pearls' (two ladies from Vancover who we passed on the path out of Kirby Stephen), and the Aussie with the French Canadian (Alan and Soph). We compared notes as to what had gone before and of what was to come - all around the wit of our host Les (a typical and direct Yorkshireman - a type of shut-up and eat your breakfast, and ensure you leave none sort of bloke).
Soon onto the path at our second earliest time (8.50) we charged into Reeth to meet the 'lady with the blisters' and her husband who were doggedly putting in the miles. So, with the Pearl Girls hanging onto our slipstream, we set off on today's task - and back to the river Swale.

Today's walk was very much like 'home' walking - lots of green fields, rolling hills and agriculture. The miles just slipped away. We passed Marrick Priory and hiked up the Nuns Steps to reach the second highest point of the day with views just beginning to appear to our front and rear. Again it was hot and dry (the weather has been good to us).

At Marske we met the couple of the 'lady with the blisters' and marveled as to how on earth they could have got in front of us so, at the 11am biscuit stop out came the maps and we decided they had done the whole route till that point on one of the back lanes out of Reeth. They passed us at this point and we never saw them again (or at least only fleetingly as they ploughed onto Richmond).

Next, up the second climb of the day, and the highest point, to the white cairn of Applegarth Scar, another panoramic vista, lunch sat on limestone outcrops, a slow-worm on the path, the path
through the wood and we were soon entering Richmond.

Today's walk had taken us just a little over 4.5hours and went as a doddle. It was an easy walking day but had none of the scenery of yesterday.

And in the distance - the east coast.

To be read with a high level of innuendo