Keld to Reeth.

A late start today - always the way when you know you have more time than you need. Rain had passed through the previous night and so we had another walking day that was dry with wall to wall sunshine (and again it was hot).

We chose the low-level route through the Swaledale valley as most guidebooks stated this was the most scenic route. The small pull out of Keld, and the 50 odd metres we also walked of the Pennine Way started the day. With every foot gained the views of the valley opened more and more - it was spectacular. For most of the morning we followed the river Swale, sharing it with a few Mallards, Curlew, Grey Wagtails and the occasional walker (two of whom looked to be in the late eighties still plodding along). Into Gunnerside, again we more time than needed, we stopped for ice-creams and the use of toilets - which had a queue!
Back up again onto the open moor and we eventually stopped for lunch over-looking the valley - what better place to eat your ham and tomato sandwiches.

The books said on this stretch that one of the things remembered would be the tight, single-legged wall pass-throughs that came complete with sprung gate. Some call them 'stops' 'knee-bashers' or other such terms. Neil called them 'arse-bashers' as he was the one usually at the back of the queue with no-one holding the gate for him. The other thing that we all remarked upon was the number of dead rabbits - we saw many, and all looked to be in perfect health (just dead).
We strolled into Reeth 5.5hrs later to a welcome pot of tea. Taking the car to Richmond later in the day was unpleasant. We couldn't wait to get out and ate on the way back rather than trying to find somewhere in the metropolis.
No pictures at the mo - the internet connect here is too slow. Will post them as soon as we can.

Pictures now posted.....

Strange things you see on a walk.